Cyprus

• Cyprus is an Island in the eastern Mediterranean which since 1974 has been divided into southern Cyprus and Turkish controlled Northern Cyprus. In Antiquity it was a Roman Province of the same name.
• It was a major source of Copper production in the Roman Empire. The word Copper is from the Latin ‘Cyprium’, meaning ‘the metal of Cyprus’.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • In Antiquity, Cyprus or one of its kingdoms, was known as Alashiya, famous for its production of Copper.
  • Egypt controlled Cyprus in Antiquity.
  • 709-669 BCE it was briefly occupied by the Assyrian Empire. Later, it belonged to Persia.
  • Cyprus was divided into Ancient City Kingdoms which were listed in 673-672 BCE by Esarhaddon, King of Assyria:
    • Paphos, Salamis, Soloi, Kourion, Chytroi, Kition, Amathus, Idalion, Ledrai, Tamassos, Kyrenia, Lapethos, Marion.
  • c.570-545 BCE briefly conquered by the Pharaoh Amasis II (570-c.525 BCE) of Egypt.
  • c.545-333 BCE conquered by the Persian Empire.
  • 333-300 BCE Alexander the Great liberated Cyprus from the Persian Empire.
    • He then used a Fleet of 120 Ships, many of which were Quinqueremes, belonging to the ten Cypriot Kings to besiege Tyre.
  • 300-67 BCE Cyprus then returned to Egyptian control under the Rule of the Greek Ptolemies.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 67 BCE Pompey cleared the Island of the Pirates of Cilicia. Both Rome and Egypt claimed ownership.
• Timeline of this Province:
• Under The Roman Republic:
  • 58 BCE Cyprus officially became a roman Province.
  • Rome invoked it’s right to Cyprus under the disputed Will of the Egyptian Pharoah Ptolemy. Cato the Younger was sent to impose Roman Rule. He specifically defended individuals from the over zealous Tax Farmers. Cyprus was then included in the Province of Cilicia.
  • 47 BCE Julius Caesar gave Cyprus to Queen Cleopatra VII.
  • 36 BCE Mark Anthony reaffirmed the gift of Cyprus to Queen Cleopatra VII and Mark Anthony.
  • 31 BCE Cyprus returned to Roman Rule after the defeat of Queen Cleopatra VII.
• After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
  • 27 BCE Cyprus was separated from Cilicia and became an Imperial Province under Augustus.
  • 22 BCE Became a Senatorial Propraetorial Province.
  • 115-6 CE A Revolt by the Jews under a leader called Artemion, was suppressed by Trajan and they were subsequently expelled from Cyprus.
  • 269 CE Invaded briefly by the Goths.
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • Placed under the control of the ‘Consularis Oriens’.
  • 333-4 CE Revolt under Constantine I by Calocaerus, the Magister Pecoris Camelorum, who died when the Roman troops retook the Island.
• After Death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
  • Cyprus continued as part of the Byzantine Empire until it fell to the Rashidun Caliphate during the conquest of Cyprus with 500 ships in 654 CE.
• Famous Persons from this Province:
• Chief archeological Finds:

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Paphos
• Chief Cities:
  • Amathus, Salamis (near Famagusta), Lapethus, Larnaca (Citium or Kition), Curium (Ruins), Nicosia (Lefkosia or Ledra), Kyrenia, Soli (Ruins near Lefke),
• Location Today:
  • An Island opposite Turkey and Syria.
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • It is an Island opposite Cilicia and Syria.
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Mediterranean Climate.
    • Hot Dry Summers (June to September) and rainy Winters (November to March) Brief Autumn and Spring during which the weather changes rapidly.
    • In the Winter, the Troodos Mountains receive snowfall and night temperatures below freezing. In Nicosia, Summer Temperatures 21-37° C and Winter Temperatures 5-15° C.
• Main Rivers:
  • R. Pedieos, R. Serakhis, R. Karyotis, R. Kouris. (They are all dry in the Summer).
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Troodos Mountains in the South and Southwest Cyprus. The highest mountain is Mt Olympus also called Mt Troodos and has a Height of 6,401 ft (1,950m).
  • Kyrenia Mountains parallel the Northern coast East West and extend 100 miles (160km).
  • In Classical Times it had extensive forests.
• Islands: None

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type
  • Senatorial Propraetorial Province from 27 BCE.
    • Cyprus was united with Cilicia in 58 BCE and then separated in 27 BCE.
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
    • Cato the Younger (58-51 BCE)
    • Cicero (51-50 BCE)
• Tribes and Population:
  • Greeks and Phoenicians.
• Language:
  • Greek.

4. Military Organisation

• Legions: None.
• Navy: None
• Defensive Works: None
• Main Threats: Piracy (formerly)

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
  • Copper, Timber. Olive Oil was mentioned by Strabo as being exported to Egypt, Cilicia and Syria.
  • Also known from amphorae inscriptions.
• Agriculture and Fishing:
  • Wine, Olive Oil, Grain.
• Manufacturing:
  • Sculpture, Ceramics, Glassmaking.
• Mines:
  • Roman Copper Mine at Tamassos (Skouriotissa in the Turkish controlled zone).
    • The Romans extracted 250,000 tons of Copper up until the 4th century CE.
• Mints:
  • Paphos (1st century BCE)

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • A southern coastal Roman Road. All of the cities in Cyprus were interconnected by Roman Roads.
• Waterways: None
• Ports:
  • Paphos, Salamis, Kyrenia, Larnaca (Citium),
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Maritime Trade Routes to Cilicia, the Levant ports in Syria and Judaea, and Egypt.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• Egypt controlled Cyprus from Antiquity until the invasion of Alexander the Great in 333 BCE. Between 300-67 BCE it was returned to Egypt, now ruled by the Greek Ptolemies. It finally became a Roman Province in 27 BCE.
• Cyprus was no longer strategic after it was removed from Egyptian control.
• However, it was an important crossroads of Maritime Sea Lanes across the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Cyprus was a very wealthy and peaceful Province.
• It was a major source of Copper production in the Roman Empire. The word Copper is from the Latin ‘Cyprium’, meaning ‘the metal of Cyprus’.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

• 45 CE St Paul and the Apostle Barnabus arrived in Cyprus, initially with St. Mark.
  • St. Paul converted the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus to Christianity, who then became the first Roman Noble to convert and the first Christian Governor of a Roman Province.
• 325 CE First Council of Nicaea: Three Cypriot Bishops attended.
• 344 CE Council of Sardica: Twelve Cypriot Bishops attended.
• 431 CE The Archbishop of Cyprus was granted independence from the Patriarch of Antioch.

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

Cyprus (capital Paphos)