Orthodox Cyprus under the Latins, 1191-1571: Society, Spirituality, and Identities

Medieval and Renaissance Cyprus was a place of ethnic, cultural, and religious encounters, with the Crusaders conquering it in 1191 and becoming the most important stronghold of Latin Christianity in the Eastern Mediterranean. This study explores continuities and discontinuities in the Byzantine culture and religious tradition of Cyprus, proposing a new methodological framework for a more comprehensive understanding of Cypriot Orthodoxy under Crusader and Venetian rule.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 354 pages
Publication date: 02 July 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

Medieval and Renaissance Cyprus was a captivating hub of diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious interactions. Spanning nearly nine centuries under Byzantine rule, Cyprus fell to the Crusaders in 1191, assuming a pivotal role as the foremost bastion of Latin Christianity in the Eastern Mediterranean. Initially under the Frankish dynasty of the Lusignans and later under the Venetians, it became a significant stronghold of the Christian faith. However, modern historiographical interpretations of Cypriot identity during the medieval and early modern periods have been influenced by British colonialism, Greek nationalism, and Cyprocentric revisionism. While these perspectives have provided valuable insights into the historical experiences of Latin-ruled Cypriots, they have somewhat overlooked the dynamics of noncoercive resistance to domination and the preservation and adaptation of identities.

Orthodox Cyprus under the Latins, 1191–1571, takes a fresh approach to understanding Cypriot identity by centering on the Greek Cypriots, the largest community on the islands during the medieval and early modern periods. By integrating theories from psychology, social anthropology, and sociology, this study delves into the continuities and discontinuities within Cyprus's Byzantine culture and religious tradition. It proposes a novel methodological framework for a more comprehensive understanding of Cypriot Orthodoxy during the Crusader and Venetian rule. A discussion of fresh evidence from hitherto unpublished primary sources further enhances this examination, highlighting the role of medieval and Renaissance Cyprus as a cultural and religious province within the Byzantine and post-Byzantine Orthodox world.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498551175