The History of Cyprus Podcast

The Bouliler brothers are emblematic figures of banditry amidst a backdrop of economic struggle and social change. Hasan Bulli, a Turkish Cypriot from Paphos, became a legendary folk hero in Cyprus in the late 19th century. Often compared to American outlaws like Jesse James, he gained notoriety for his bold actions and was remembered through songs and tales long after his death. His life changed after his love for Emete, his uncle's wife, and a conflict with a fellow outlaw, Hayreddin. After a failed ambush attempt on Hayreddin—who had allegedly harassed Emete—Hasan was framed and sentenced to prison for a crime he denied committing. Hasan was convicted and fled to the mountains, where he spent 18 months as a fugitive. His brothers Kaymakam and Hüseyin also became fugitives after being accused of murder. They formed a gang and operated in the mountains until 1896 where they were ultimately captured and killed.  But who were the Bullis? And how do we separate fact from fiction? Through a balanced lens, Professor Mehmet Demiryürek (Hitit University) examines the reality behind the legends, exploring the socio-economic conditions of the period, the Bouliler's deeds and misdeeds, and their enduring impact on modern Cypriot memory.

Hasan Bulli is a significant figure in the history of Cyprus. A notorious bandit who roamed the island’s rural landscape in the late 19th century, he became something of a folk hero--often compared to Jesse James. His daring deeds and the stories surrounding his gang became the stuff of legend in Cypriot folklore. Turkish Cypriot poet Hafız Cemaleddin immortalized them in a poem titled Cyprus Bandit under the British Rule published on June 21, 1896. Next month, join The History of Cyprus Podcast as I welcome Dr. Mehmet Demiryürek to discuss brigands and bandits in 19th-century Cyprus!

For this bonus episode, I interview Jan Coenaerts and Polte De Weirdt from Vrije University in Belgium as they embark on their next season at The Hala Sultan Tekke Hinterland Survey Project (HST-HASP). They use archaeological survey and landscape analysis to reassess spatial organization at Dromolaxia-Vyzakia (13th–12th century BCE Late Bronze Age harbour town) in order to reconstruct its long-term settlement dynamics, revealing that the Late Bronze Age settlement at Dromolaxia-Vyzakia was larger and more dispersed than previously thought.

In this interview, we delve into the past with bioarchaeologist, Sherry Fox (Arizona State University), as we explore how bioarchaeologists utilize technology to reconstruct the lives of ancient inhabitants, identify various ailments they suffered and how studying even their teeth can unveil details about their occupations. We'll explore a variety of subjects, including cranial modification practices in Cyprus(!), the evolution of burial customs throughout centuries, and the ethical considerations surrounding the preservation of human remains.

Luigi Palma Di Cesnola is a controversial figure in Cypriot history. Born in Turin in 1832, he served in the First Italian War of Independence and later in the Crimean War. In 1858, he left Italy for the United States where his service in U.S. Civil War earned him distinction. He was later appointed as a consul in Larnaca where he engaged in wide-spread excavations (which many have considered tantamount to looting). Most of his finds were purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he served as its first director. His finds can still be seen there to this day.  This excerpt was taken from his book, "Cyprus: Its Ancient Cities, Tombs and Temples" where he describes one of the many tombs across Cyprus. This, of course, being the perfect introduction to next month's guest, Dr. Sherry Fox, where we discuss changing burial customs in Cyprus from the very ancient to the present. Next month: Bones, Burials and Bioarchaeology! Here is the text in full: "West of these tombs, I discovered nine oven-shaped caverns, containing such a quantity of bones that I was extremely curious to examine one thoroughly. Accordingly, the earth was removed and I counted no less than sixty-four human skulls. These nine caverns would have been infinitely too small to contain the amount of bodies indicated and I believe therefore that they were ossuaries for bones, removed from the rock-cut tombs to make way for other bodies. There was a platform made of sun-dried bricks and upon the platform the dead were laid, with the head always towards the entrance. These tombs were made to contain in most cases three bodies, yet in many of them the remains of two, one on the right and the other on the left of the doorway. In some few instances a reversed earthenware plate was found placed under the head, serving as a pillow to the dead." Luigi Palma Di Cesnola - Cyprus Its Ancient Cities, Tombs and Temples, 1877"