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