The Roman occupation
The Romans controlled the island in 76 BC. The locals of the island were converted to Christianity by the apostle Paul. In the 5th century AD, Cyprus Church achieved its independence from the Patriarch of Antioch at the Council of Ephesus.

The Byzantine period
With the division of the Roman Empire into the east and west, Cyprus came under the control of Byzantium, and was made a province of the state. In the tenth century AD it was attacked by eastern Arab armies. While the Arabs never occupied Cyprus, it suffered massive losses.

The last Byzantine ruler of Cyprus was Isaac Comnenos who was from a minor line of the Imperial house. He took control of the island with forged documents and created an independent patriarch of Cyprus, who crowned him as the island's Emperor. Byzantine actions against Komnenos failed because he enjoyed the support of William II of Sicily. The Emperor also had an pact with the sultan of Egypt to close Cypriot harbours to the Crusaders. Isaac Comnenos was replaced by Richard I Plantagenet in 1192 and kept prisoner till his death around 1195.

A few photographs of the island

Top photo: We named him Ned
Bottom photo: Tavernas are a way of life