Cyprus and the Romans

Cyprus has seen many invaders and rulers comeone of the first empires to accept Christianity and
and go over the years including the Romanthis too has its roots in Cyprus. Round about 45
empire. Before the arrival of Rome the Island wasAD the Apostle Paul accompanied by Barnabas
under the control of Egypt around the time ofand Saint Mark set off on his first missionary
Queen Cleopatra. Much bargaining was donejourney to spread the Gospel. They arrived first
between her, Mark Antony and Caesar himself asat Salamis which is now in the occupied North of
she attempted to hold onto what was left of herthe Island before traveling to Paphos. It was here
empire. In fact Cyprus was temporarily passedthat Paul was bound to a pillar and received 39
over to Cleopatra first by Julius Caesar and thenlashes for preaching the gospel to the Greeks.
later by Mark Antony only to revert to RomanVisitors to Paphos can see this pillar next to the
control in 30 BC as a senatorial province. TheChurch on Apostolou Pavlou Avenue (St Pauls
events leading up to this time have been wellAvenue) near the church of Saint Kiriaki. Whilst
documented and most readers will be aware ofpreaching in Cyprus the Apostles were obstructed
some of what went on between this passionateby a local Magician known as Bar Jesus and Paul
power crazed love triangle. It looked like thesent him temporarily blind in Gods name. The then
Romans where here to stay but for them atGovernor of Cyprus Sergius Paulus was so
least the saying "all good things come to an end"amazed by all this that he converted to
was eventually to ring true. Empires rise only toChristianity and so Cyprus became the first
fall so the Romans were not destined to remain inChristian state in the world. Saint Lukes Gospel
Cyprus for ever and although they left a lastingvividly describes in great detail Pauls journey into
legacy on the Island it is Greek culture that hasCyprus.
survived the test of time.Evidence of the Roman occupation of Cyprus can
Under Roman rule Cyprus remained in peace orbe found all over the Island and there are
"pax romana" as it was known for over threenumerous guided tours available too. Paphos is a
hundred years until 115 AD. At this time the Jewsgreat place for the start of any cultural expedition
inspired by a belief that the coming of theirbecause there is lots to see all in one place. A
Messiah was imminent started a revolt againstshort walk from Paphos harbor itself is a
Rome on the Island. They were led by a manbeautifuly restored roman ampitheatre where you
called Atermion a Jew who had taken a Greekcan listen to concerts and watch dramas
name as was the custom at the time. Therethroughout the summer months. Close by are the
were hardly any Roman troops stationed inexcavated houses of several Roman nobles
Cyprus at this time which explains why the revoltincluding the famous house of Dionysus with its
grew so quickly. The Roman emporer Trajanfabulous mosaic tiled floors. The mosaics are
dispatched one of his generals to the Island andmade from thousands of tiny cubes of stone and
the rebellion was quelled. Historians say thatmarble into intricate images. They are in
24,000 Jews were massacred on the Island byremarkably good condition despite being around
this roman army but there is a likelyhood that thetwo thousand years old. With sites dotted all over
actual numbers were significantly less. Followingthe Island including the ancient City of Salamis in
the revolt a decree was issued that Rome wouldNorthern Cyprus you should never be very far
forbid any Jew to ever set foot in Cyprus everfrom seeing some evidence of the Romans in
again even if shipwrecked.Cyprus.
Many people will be aware that Rome was in fact