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Byzantine Rule
During the Byzantine period (330-1191 A.D.), Salamis, Paphos and other cities, were
struck by catastrophic earthquakes (332 A.D. and 342 A.D.). The capital of Cyprus became
Salamis, soon rebuilt, under the name of Constantinople and the commercial position of Cyprus
throughout the Byzantine Empire grew higher. The next hundred years were rather quiet and Cyprus
obtained prosperity via increased production of silk which was now sold throughout the Middle East.
The Emperor Zeno appointed the Cyprus church autocephalous in 488 and he granted the
archbishop of Cyprus with three major privileges: signing with a red ink, wearing a
purple cloak at church ceremonies and carrying a scepter instead of a pastoral staff.
Christianity as an official religion spread rapidly throughout the whole Byzantine
Empire.
Islamic raids
During the Arab raids, Cyprus was attacked, sacked and burned, with many of its
dwellings and churches and townships destroyed and abandoned. The country suffered
from the Arabic raids for almost three centuries and people were made to pay taxes
to both Constantinople, while whichever Caliph was in power at the time. This
oppressive period lasted until the Byzantine Emperor defeated Arabs and made security
in the island again. The advance of Seljukes in Asia Minor and the first crusade in
the 11th century made Byzantium a strong fortress and it was during this period,
that the island' s major fortifications were built, among which the castles of St
Hilarion, Buffavento, and Kantara.
Crusaders
Isaac Komninos, the Byzantine governor, declared himself an independent ruler of Cyprus
in 1185, and mother of Constantine the Great, St Helena, who, according to the
tradition, on her way back from the Holy Lands arrived to Cyprus, established the
early Christian monasteries of Stavrovouni and Tochni.
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| Many of the well-known
monasteries were built in Cyprus during the 11th century and after, like Kykkos,
St John Chrysostomos, Machairas, St Neophytos (12th ct), and also many remarkable
painted churches, among which Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Panagia tou Araka, Asinou
and others belong to this period. Many of the churches to the Troodos area, included
in the catalogue of world cultural heritage of UNESCO, make the significant evidence
of the Byzantine rule too. |
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Richard the Lionheart and Isaac Komninos
After Isaac Komninos seized the island, he renounced all the allegiance to
Constantinople. Being a despotic ruler and treating the islanders brutally, Isaac
was generally disliked. His domination lasted for seven years and ended up in
capturing Berengaria of Navarre, the future wife of Richard the Lionheart. After
the defeat of Guy de Lusignan at Jerusalem in 1187, the Christian forces of Europe
were about to try and stop the rapid spread of Islam. Some of them traveled by sea
and some went by land. Richard traveled by sea, but his flotilla was buried in storm.
There remain several ship wrecks on the shore of Cyprus. The ship carrying Berengaria
took refuge at Limassol and was caught by Isaac. Now imprisoned, he realized his mistake
and provoking Richard' anger. In return, Richard seized Limassol and captured Isaac.
Although managed to escape, first to the castle of Kantara, and then at the tip of the
Karpaz Peninsula, yet, Isaac was finally recaptured by Guy de Lusignan, who had come
to join the crusade of Richard.
In 1191 Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria in a little chapel of St George in
Limassol, who was crowned a queen of England. Richard, the king of England, took control
of Cyprus and discovered that Isaac Komninus had amassed considerable riches in his
treasury. With this new-found wealth Richard was able to set off for Acre and
reestablish his crusade. Leaving a small garrison to control the island, Richard
departs Cyprus.
Rebellious Cypriots
The soldiers, however, had continuous problems with handling the islanders who had had
enough of oppression. Richard realized, now that he took all the money from the
treasury that the island was in non-favorable condition. He decided to sell Cyprus
to the Order of the Knights Templar for 100.000 byzants. After paying Richard the
deposit, they in return considered it unbearable to handle the rebellious Cypriot
peasants and asked Richard to abolish the purchase of the island. He agreed, and
retaining the original deposit, Richard sold the island and carried sovereignty to
Guy de Lusignan, as a sort of compensation for the loss of Jerusalem. From that
moment on, a 300-year rule in Cyprus begins, also known as the Frankish period.
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