Cyprus and the Romans
Cyprus and the Romans
Cyprus has seen many invaders and rulers come and go over the years including the Roman empire. Before the arrival of Rome the Island was under the control of Egypt around the time of Queen Cleopatra. Much bargaining was executed between her, Mark Antony and Caesar himself as she tried to keep onto what was gone forth of her empire. In fact Cyprus was temporarily went through over to Cleopatra first by Julius Caesar and then later by Mark Antony only to retrovert to Roman control in 30 BC as a senatorial province. The events leading up to this time have been well affirmed and most readers will be alive of some of what traveled on between this ablaze power maddened love triangle. It appeared like the Romans where here to stay but for them at least the stating “all acceptable things come to an end” was eventually to ring truthful. Empires rise only to fall so the Romans were not ordained to stay in Cyprus for ever and although they left an enduring legacy on the Island it is Greek culture that has lasted the test of time
Under Roman rule Cyprus remained in peace or “pax romana” as it was known for over three hundred years until 115 AD. At this time the Jews animated by a belief that the coming of their Messiah was close got down a revolt against Rome on the Island. They were led by a man named Atermion a Jew who had taken a Greek name as was the custom at the time. There were hardly any Roman troops displaced in Cyprus at this time which explains why the revolt matured so quickly. The Roman emporer Trajan despatched one of his generals to the Island and the rebellion was quelled. Historians state that 24,000 Jews were slaughtered on the Island by this roman army but there is a likelyhood that the existent numbers were significantly less. Following the revolt a decree was published that Rome would interdict any Jew to ever set foot in Cyprus ever again even if shipwrecked
Many people will be aware that Rome was in fact one of the first empires to accept Christianity and this too has its roots in Cyprus. Round about 45 AD the Apostle Paul accompanied by Barnabas and Saint Mark set off on his first missionary journey to spread the Gospel. They made it first at Salamis which is now in the resided North of the Island before traveling to Paphos. It was here that Paul was leaped to a pillar and had 39 lashes for prophesying the gospel to the Greeks. Visitors to Paphos can see this pillar next to the Church on Apostolou Pavlou Avenue (St Pauls Avenue) near the church of Saint Kiriaki. Whilst preaching in Cyprus the Apostles were blockaded by a localised Magician cognized as Bar Jesus and Paul sent out him temporarily blinded in Gods name. The then Governor of Cyprus Sergius Paulus was so astonished by all this that he changed over to Christianity and so Cyprus went the first Christian state in the world. Saint Lukes Gospel vividly describes in enthusiastic detail Pauls journey into Cyprus
Evidence of the Roman occupation of Cyprus can be found all over the Island and there are numerous guided tours available too. Paphos is an enthusiastic place for the get down of any social expedition because there is lots to see all in one place. A little take the air from Paphos harbor itself is a beautifuly reconstructed roman ampitheatre where you can take heed to concerts and watch dramas throughout the summer months. Close by are the excavated houses of several Roman nobles including the known house of Dionysus with its incredible mosaic coated floors. The mosaics are made from thousands of little cubes of stone and marble into complex images. They are in remarkably acceptable condition despite being around two thousand years older. With sites studded all over the Island including the past City of Salamis in Northern Cyprus you should never be very far from seeing some evidence of the Romans in Cyprus.
