DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9184#0188
166 New Chapters in Greek History. [Chap. VI.
land. In the reign of Trajan the Jews of Cyprus revolted
and slew, it is said, a quarter of a million of the inhabitants
—a fact which testifies at once to the populousness of the
island and to its wealth, for where Jews were in such
numbers money must have been to be made.
No doubt, during the period at the history of which we
have thus slightly glanced, vast changes had taken place
in the appearance of the island. Throughout antiquity
copper was obtained there in extraordinary abundance.
Nor was the quantity alone remarkable, but the quality
also. It was noted for its ductility and malleability, and
almost rivalled gold in brightness. The Roman monetarii
cast their asses out of it; artificers in all lands preferred it
for objects of use and ornament; while on the spot were
formed from it sory, misy, chalkitis, and other mysterious
compounds. No one who is acquainted with Cyprian
remains can doubt that gold and silver were found in the
island; indeed, we know from the writers that gold was
dug there by the Venetians, and Cyprian emeralds were
prized above all others. In ancient, as in modern times,
the great salt-lakes at Citium and Amathus dried up
annually and left a thick layer of excellent salt, a mar-
vellous and unfailing source of wealth : indeed in old
times people used to say that Citium produced salt
enough for the whole world.
The very name of Cyprus tells how cypress (henna)
flourished of old in the island. The fig-trees attracted
swarms of fig-peckers (beccaficos), a bird still common,
and considered one of the greatest delicacies of the
Levant; and wherever the Greek went he took with him
his beloved olive-tree. Palms grew, but were less common
than since the Turkish occupation, nor did the fruit ripen.
The mountains still retained their primeval clothing of
pine-forests, furnishing an inexhaustible supply of navy-
timber, and bringing to the land refreshing showers and
land. In the reign of Trajan the Jews of Cyprus revolted
and slew, it is said, a quarter of a million of the inhabitants
—a fact which testifies at once to the populousness of the
island and to its wealth, for where Jews were in such
numbers money must have been to be made.
No doubt, during the period at the history of which we
have thus slightly glanced, vast changes had taken place
in the appearance of the island. Throughout antiquity
copper was obtained there in extraordinary abundance.
Nor was the quantity alone remarkable, but the quality
also. It was noted for its ductility and malleability, and
almost rivalled gold in brightness. The Roman monetarii
cast their asses out of it; artificers in all lands preferred it
for objects of use and ornament; while on the spot were
formed from it sory, misy, chalkitis, and other mysterious
compounds. No one who is acquainted with Cyprian
remains can doubt that gold and silver were found in the
island; indeed, we know from the writers that gold was
dug there by the Venetians, and Cyprian emeralds were
prized above all others. In ancient, as in modern times,
the great salt-lakes at Citium and Amathus dried up
annually and left a thick layer of excellent salt, a mar-
vellous and unfailing source of wealth : indeed in old
times people used to say that Citium produced salt
enough for the whole world.
The very name of Cyprus tells how cypress (henna)
flourished of old in the island. The fig-trees attracted
swarms of fig-peckers (beccaficos), a bird still common,
and considered one of the greatest delicacies of the
Levant; and wherever the Greek went he took with him
his beloved olive-tree. Palms grew, but were less common
than since the Turkish occupation, nor did the fruit ripen.
The mountains still retained their primeval clothing of
pine-forests, furnishing an inexhaustible supply of navy-
timber, and bringing to the land refreshing showers and