Cyprus

One of the largest islands of the Mediterranean, about 148 miles long and 40 broad. It is distant about 60 miles from the Syrian coast. It was the “Chittim” of the Old Testament (Num. 24:24). The Greek colonists gave it the name of Kypros, from the cyprus, i.e., the henna (see CAMPHIRE), which grew on this island. It was originally inhabited by Phoenicians. In B.C. 477 it fell under the dominion of the Greeks; and became a Roman province B.C. 58. In ancient times it was a centre of great commercial activity. Corn and wine and oil were produced here in the greatest perfection. It was rich also in timber and in mineral wealth. It is first mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 4:36) as the native place of Barnabas. It was the scene of Paul’s first missionary labours (13:4-13), when he and Barnabas and John Mark were sent forth by the church of Antioch. It was afterwards visited by Barnabas and Mark alone (15:39). Mnason, an “old disciple,” probaly one of the converts of the day of Pentecost belonging to this island, is mentioned (21:16). It is also mentioned in connection with the voyages of Paul (Acts 21:3; 27:4). After being under the Turks for three hundred years, it was given up to the British Government in 1878.

an island of Asia in the Mediterranean. It is about 140 miles long and 50 miles wide at the widest part. Its two chief cities were Salamis, at the east end of the island, and Paphos, at the west end. “Cyprus occupies a distinguished place in both sacred and profane history. It early belonged to the Phoenicians of the neighboring coast; was afterwards colonized by Greeks’ passed successively under the power of the Pharaohs, Persians, Ptolemies and Romans, excepting a short period of independence in the fourth century B.C. It was one of the chief seats of the worship of Venus, hence called Cypria. Recently the discoveries in Cyprus by Cesnola have excited new interest.—Appleton’s Am. Encyc. It was the native place of Barnabas, (Acts 4:36) and was visited by Paul. (Acts 13:4-13; 15:39; 21:3) See also (Acts 27:4)

CY'PRUS, a large, fertile island of the Mediterranean Sea, triangular in form, 150 miles long, and from 50 to 60 miles broad. Venus was its chief goddess; hence her name Cypria. It contained two prominent cities, Salamis and Paphos, and 17 towns. Salamis was at the east and Paphos at the west end of the island. Acts 13:5. Barnabas was a native of Cyprus, and its people are noticed in apostolic history. Acts 4:36; Acts 13:4; Acts 15:39. Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus, was converted by Paul on his first missionary-tour, Acts 13:7 ff., and thus became the first Christian ruler on record. History.-Cyprus was colonized by the Phoenicians at a very early date. It was the Chittim, or Kittim, of the O.T. Num 24:24. Through Greek colonists it received the name of Kypros, perhaps from the plant cyprus (henna-Lawsonia alba. See Camphire). Copper-mining and the production of swords, armor, and other articles in bronze were its principal industries. There was also an extensive commerce. In literature, Cyprus boasted of very early distinction. Thothmes III Map of Cyprus. of Egypt conquered the island. At a later period Belus, king of Tyre, destroyed most of its cities. Sargon made it tributary to Assyria, b.c. 707; Apries, king of Egypt (the Pharaoh of Scripture), plundered it. Later, it was tributary to Darius. The Athenians and Lacedemonians conquered part of Cyprus from the Persians, b.c. 477. Alexander the Great was aided by 120 ships from this island in his siege of Tyre, b.c. 335. In b.c. 294 the island was a dependency of Egypt. Cato took possession of it for the Romans. Cicero was proconsul there, b.c. 52. The Byzantine emperors and the Arabs successively held sway. Cyprus was a frequent halting place of the Crusaders. Richard I, of England captured it in A.D. 1191, and sold it to the Knights Templars. Later, the Genoese and Venetians held the island. The Turks dispossessed the Venetians a.d. 1570, and have retained their mastery for more than 300 years. The control of Cyprus was secured in 1878 by the English government as a naval station and base of operation for the protection of Asiatic Turkey and the Indian government. The recent excavations and discoveries of General Cesnola have brought to light a vast number of antiquities and works of art of Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, and specific Cypriotic characters, which are deposited in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. See Cesnola: Cyprus, its Ancient Cities, Tombs, and Temples, New York. 1878.

fair; fairness

CY'PRUS, a large, fertile island of the Mediterranean Sea, triangular in form, 150 miles long, and from 50 to 60 miles broad. Venus was its chief goddess; hence her name Cypria. It contained two prominent cities, Salamis and Paphos, and 17 towns. Salamis was at the east and Paphos at the west end of the island. Acts 13:5. Barnabas was a native of Cyprus, and its people are noticed in apostolic history. Acts 4:36; Acts 13:4; Acts 15:39. Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus, was converted by Paul on his first missionary-tour, Acts 13:7 ff., and thus became the first Christian ruler on record. History.-Cyprus was colonized by the Phoenicians at a very early date. It was the Chittim, or Kittim, of the O.T. Num 24:24. Through Greek colonists it received the name of Kypros, perhaps from the plant cyprus (henna-Lawsonia alba. See Camphire). Copper-mining and the production of swords, armor, and other articles in bronze were its principal industries. There was also an extensive commerce. In literature, Cyprus boasted of very early distinction. Thothmes III Map of Cyprus. of Egypt conquered the island. At a later period Belus, king of Tyre, destroyed most of its cities. Sargon made it tributary to Assyria, b.c. 707; Apries, king of Egypt (the Pharaoh of Scripture), plundered it. Later, it was tributary to Darius. The Athenians and Lacedemonians conquered part of Cyprus from the Persians, b.c. 477. Alexander the Great was aided by 120 ships from this island in his siege of Tyre, b.c. 335. In b.c. 294 the island was a dependency of Egypt. Cato took possession of it for the Romans. Cicero was proconsul there, b.c. 52. The Byzantine emperors and the Arabs successively held sway. Cyprus was a frequent halting place of the Crusaders. Richard I, of England captured it in A.D. 1191, and sold it to the Knights Templars. Later, the Genoese and Venetians held the island. The Turks dispossessed the Venetians a.d. 1570, and have retained their mastery for more than 300 years.
The control of Cyprus was secured in 1878 by the English government as a naval station and base of operation for the protection of Asiatic Turkey and the

Indian government. The recent excavations and discoveries of General Cesnola have brought to light a vast number of antiquities and works of art of Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, and specific Cypriotic characters, which are deposited in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. See Cesnola: Cyprus, its Ancient Cities, Tombs, and Temples, New York. 1878.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A thin, transparent stuff, the same as, or corresponding to, crape. It was either white or black, the latter being most common, and used for mourning. [Obs.] Lawn as white as driven snow, Cyprus black as e'er was crow. Shak.