In 333A.D. Cyprus was part of the new Christian empire, the Byzantine Empire. During the years of the Byzantines the island was introduced to several flourishing years. In 343, however, an earthquake rocked the island and destroyed the city of Salamis. Emperor Constantine the Great, Flavios, however, rebuilt the city.
In the years that followed Cyprus was re-introduced to its ancient wealth but as in the case back then the same now -- invaders. Attacks followed and the consistent ones were from the Arabs. The first attack was in 622 and they continued on until 964 when Nikiforos Fokas ended the Arabic expeditions with a decisive victory. During this period the famous defenders of the island "AKRITES" played a major role in the deffense of the island. One of the most famous ones was Digenis who "even the devil himself feared him."
Once the Arabs were defeated the Franks took charge in the attacks. Because of Cyprus' geography, Crussades were always launhed. The successful Crussade was by the British Richardo who first introduced himself and his army as friends and then when the islanders were not expecting it he invaded. Revolts followed which forced Ricardo out as he sold the island to British Knights. The Knights had no mercy and to supress the Cypriot revolts they slaughtered the Cypriots during an Easter mass, in the Churches. The revolts, however, continued with greater force and in 1191 the island was sold to one of Richardo's men, Luzinian. Luzinian and his predessasors established a 3 century rule over the islanders. Fortresses were built as new laws were drafted and more taxes were collected. The islanders somehow managed, under the Luzinian rule, to re-establish the economic might they once had. In 1432 John II came to power and he married a Byzantine princess, Helen Paleologou. Helen took over as queen and ruled until her death in 1458 as she re-established Byzantine ways and the Greek language.
In 1459 the fierce Venetians took over and the worst was just ahead. New laws were set, Greek schools were closed, the Greek language was forbidden, and Greek churches were heavily taxed. Italian was forced on the natives as new teachers from Venice were brought in. The natives began looking for ways out as they migrated away from their island. The population declined from 500,000 to 178,000. Many revolts followed into the 16th century but without longstanding results.
