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CLAUDE DELAVAL COBHAM
Exerpta Cypria
page 82 View PDF version of this page ELIAS OF PESARO. FÜItER.
77
FÜRER.
Ckristophori Pareri ab Haimendorf, Equitis Aurati, cte....2tÌnerarÌHìn watt published in 4to at Nürnberg in 1621, with a fine portrait of the author, a plate of his arms, and six woodcuts of the Holy Places of Palestine. A German version, Reisebeschreibung, Nürnberg, 1646, is somewhat fuller than the Latin text.
The author, Ch. Fürer, a man of distinguished lineage and some learning, was born at Nürnberg in 1541, began hie travels at 21, and died in 1610. His visit to Cyprus extended from March 29 to May 7, 1566. I translate from pp. 103—109.
We left Tripoli at last for Cyprus with a fajeuring wind, aud sailing first past two promontories, one of which is called C. Greeo (to the right of it lies Fainagusta) and the other G S. George, on Mareh 29 we approaehed the island on its southern side and landed at the port of Salines, where we gave thanks to God the Best and Greatest, for that He had brought us back safe and sound from the lands of the infidel to a Christian country, for at that time Cyprus was still subject to the Venetians. This island, which is situated in the gulf of Issus between Cilicia and Syria, was of old called by varions people various names. Josephus asserts that it was called Chetima from Chotiin, son of Javan the grandson of Noah. Xenagoras, as we have him in Pliny, called it from its fertility Macaria the blessed, also Aspelia and Amathusia. Philonides names it Corastis, Timosthenes Acamantis, Astynoinus Cryptos and Colinia. Amniianus Marcellinus (in vita Galli et Constantii, lib. ΧΙΥ) speaks thus of its fertility and conséquence. " Cyprus, whieh lies at some distance from the mainland and is full of harbours, has many towns and two remarkable cities, Salamis and Paphos, the former famous for its temple of Jove, the other for the rane of Venus. This island (continues Amniianus) is so favoured in the number and variety of its products that without any external help, from its own resources it would build a large ship from the keel to the topmost canvas, and send it fully equipped to sea." To-day, besides other fruits, cotton and carobs (locust beans) abound. It was once the seat of nine kingdoms. Timosthenes, as quoted by Pliny (v. 31), gives its circuit as 429 miles, Tsidorus 375 miles, Bordone 3420 stadia or 427A miles, and 200 miles in length. Of old it was so given over to luxury that it was deemed sacred to Venus, who was there chiefly worshipped. To her the Cypriot maidens made offering of their virginity, whereof Justin writes, "it was α eustom among Cypriots to send their maidens before marriage on certain days to the sea shore to seek their dowries, making gain of their virginity, and giving in its stead offerings to Venus." We rested first in a village called Lamica, two roues from the port. At no great distance hence is seen the mount of the Cross, un whieh they say is preserved tho cross upon which hung the penitent thief.
On the last day of March we left Lamica at night, for the intolerable heat made travelling by day impossible, and the following morning we entered Famagusta. It was built on α reck, and though not veiy large is well fortified, and has a narrow but safe harbour which is closed by chains, and is well suited as on anehorage for light vessels. On the right it has very charming gardens of citrons, pomegranates and quinces. As in Egypt the natives draw the water with whieh they irrigate the land, and whieh supplies the daily wants of the city, by the joint use of oxen and wheels. The eity is distinguished by α bishop's see, in whose cathedral dedicated to S. Nicolas, lies buried Jacques the last king of
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