The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

296 E. T. NEWELL.
Cypriote alphabet;
the bronzes the mint mark A. 3
Considering the wealth and unusual importance Cyprus
enjoyed at this very time, it would indeed be surprising
if these few pieces were all that were struck
here in the name of Alexander. Compared to the
prolific issues of the near-by mainland they make but
a poor showing.
From the earliest times Cyprus had played an
important part in the history of the Eastern Mediter-
ranean. On account of its harbours and geographical
position, its wealth in minerals and forests, it was
invaluable to whosoever would dominate these waters.
Egyptian and Persian held it, later Lagid and Antigonid
struggled for it, knowing well that with it went
the naval supremacy of the Eastern Mediterranean.
From the dawn of history Cyprus seems to have
always been divided into many little kingdoms or
city-states, each jealous and suspicious of its neighbours.
Foreign domination was the easy result of the
almost continuous bickerings and petty wars which
tore the island for many centuries. The Persians, in
pursuance of their usual policy, allowed the petty
kings more or less local privileges and power which
only tended to keep
their mutual enmities and
jealousies aflame, and so prevented any combination
against the Persian rule. In spite
of this continual
unrest, the intermittent wars and occasional revolts,
the natural resources of the island were so great, its
geographical position commercially so important, that
many of its cities nourished exceedingly, and became
3 The known provenance of these bronze coins confirms the
attribution.