Copper Trade, Copper Connections in Ancient Cyprus

For three thousand years, Cyprus was the biggest centre for the production and trade of copper. So much so that the country became synonymous with the metal copper. You see, in the Roman times the word copper (element Cu) took its name from Cyprus (aes Cyprium = copper from Cyprus). In the Roman Empire, copper was called cyprium which later changed into cuprum. Finally, this Latin word acted as source for the name of copper in modern European languages: cοpper in English, cuiνre in French, cοbre in Spanish and kupfer in German.

As a result of the island’s long lasting relationship with copper, numerous copper mines where established, copper trade expanded in the Mediterranean through multiple maritime routes and relations with other peoples were created.

So let us wander together and find out more about this metal that shaped the identity and history of Cyprus.