Cyprus (theme)
Theme of Cyprus θέμα Κύπρου théma Kýprou | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 965–1191 | |||||||||
Cyprus shaded within the Byzantine Empire, AD 1000 | |||||||||
| Status | Theme of the Byzantine Empire (965–1185) Rump state (1185–1191) | ||||||||
| Capital | Nicosia | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||||
• Establishment as a theme | 965 | ||||||||
• Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus proclaims independence | 1185 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Cyprus Akrotiri and Dhekelia | ||||||||
Cyprus (Ancient Greek: Κύπρος, Kýpros) or the Theme of Cyprus (Ancient Greek: θέμα Κύπρου, théma Kýprou) was a Byzantine province comprising the island of Cyprus, established in 965 after the reconquest of Cyprus by the Byzantine navy. Prior to this the island had been a condominium between the Byzantine Empire and Arab caliphate for three centuries, except occasional short periods where it was occupied by either power. Important cities on the island at this time included Nicosia, Limassol, and Famagusta.