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Salamis of Cyprus
Brief Overview of Paul's Visit to the Salamis on the Island of Cyprus on His First Missionary Journey
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Saul (now referred to as Paul), Barnabas, and Mark (their assistant) set
sail from Seleucia to the island of Cyprus (a Roman senate province). This
island was also the home of Barnabas. They always began by preaching in the
local synagogue and they spent several months there preaching the Word of God in
the synagogues.
The Island of Cyprus is 140 miles long it is the third-largest island in the
Mediterranean, next to Sicily and Sardinia. The island has two mountain ranges,
one along the North Coast (about 3000 feet in elevation), and one along the
south coast (about 6000 feet in elevation). The large valley between these two
mountain ranges serve as the granary of the island. There are also very large
forests which was served as the main natural resource for Cyprus, and the timber
supplied shipbuilders with their necessary wood. Other important industries of
Cyprus were copper and silver smelting. In fact the word "copper" is
derived from the word "Cyprus." On the island of Cyprus there is a mild
Mediterranean climate.
Salamis
The Missionary team landed at Salamis, which was the main port and commercial
center of the entire island. At Salamis the Roman influence was very apparent, a
beautiful forum, gymnasium, public baths, a large theater, and a temple
dedicated to Zeus. In fact Salamis was known for having the largest agora
(marketplace) of all the colonies within the Roman Empire.