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Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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CLAUDE DELAVAL COBHAM
Exerpta Cypria
page 54

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F. S Ulli ΑΧΟ. 49 preaching converted the Proconsul. It is entirely ruinous, except one or two towers on the harbour. Hence sprang Venus, the goddess of lust. And now that we are presently leaving the island 1 ought not to pass it without notice but tell yon of its condition. Of the condition of the island of Cyprus. This island of Cyprus has a circuit of 700 miles: it is a kingdom, and has six cities, Nichosia and Famagosta are well inhabited, Salamina», Lymiso and Hapho are in ruins. It has one strong fortress called Cerines, of old it had 8000 hamlets or villages, now only 800, and these hi bad condition except la Piscopia and Larnacha. The island produces meat in plenty so that one may get twelve or fourteen sheep for a dneat. It is poor meat and nnwholesome. The air is very bad, hence yon never see a creature with a natural colour in his face, it is all art. Almost every year it is smitten with locusts, and the result is great barrenness and death. When the locusts do not come they harvest grain enough for four years. It produces plenty of sugar and good cotton, plenty of cheese, ladanum, honey, wool, the finest camlets known, and samite. The inhabitants are few and lazy. In the summer season on acconnt of the sun's great heat they work and travel by night. By day they lie idle in huts of reeds open at the ends. In the winter they dress in cloth, but in the summer in skins of polecats, foxes and sheep. If one exposes oneself to the cool air one falls at once into long and dangerous sickness. The horses are born amblers. The women are lewd. The country and climate of themselves incline to fleshly lust, and nearly every one lives in concubinage. In the days of king Jacques the women went about attired in a seductive manner like nymphs. Now they go decently dressed. To this island belonged S. Barnabas the Apostle, S. Catherine, virgin and martyr, daughter of king Costa, S. Epiphanios, a most eloqnent man: Philanio, a most holy man and a martyr, was bishop of the island. And in it died S. Hylarion and S. John Monfore (pp. 241—243).

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