Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salamis is rebuilt by Constantius II, son of Constantine the Great. The site is lavishly decorated and renamed
Constantia.
395-647
The island comes under Byzantine rule after the Roman Empire splits. The Church of Cyprus receives unpreced-
ented ecclesiastical autonomy from Constantinople, a practice that continues today.
647
The first of the Arab raids causes great destruction and suffering. Salamis is destroyed and Kourion fades. Coastal
inhabitants migrate inland to avoid constant pillaging and attacks.
688-965
Justinian II and the Arab Caliph Abd-al-Malik agree to jointly rule Cyprus. Their agreement is broken in 965 and
the Byzantines once again take over the island.
1191
Richard the Lionheart is shipwrecked at Lemesos on his way to Acre; the English king conquers Cyprus and weds
Princess Berengaria at Agios Georgios chapel, in the town.
1191-92
Richard falls ill amid concerns for his coffers. After finishing off Lemesos governor Isaak Komninos, he sells
Cyprus to the Knights Templar to raise funds for a third Holy Crusade.
1192
Guy de Lusignan takes Cyprus from the Knights Templar. Splendid churches and castles are built.
1194
The feudal system is introduced to the island by Amalric Lusignan upon the death of his younger brother Guy. He
becomes King of Cyprus as Amalric I.
1478
The last Lusignan king, James II, weds Venetian noblewoman Caterina Cornaro, who becomes the last queen of
Cyprus. In 1489 she cedes Cyprus to Venice.
1571
The Ottoman Empire crushes the Venetians and takes over Cyprus. Orthodox hierarchy is restored to assist in loc-
al taxation. Some 20,000 Turks settle on the island.
