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