Cy'prus. An island of Asia, in the Mediterranean. It is about 140 miles long and 50 miles wide at the widest part. Its two chief cities were Salamis, at the east end of the island, and Paphos, at the west end.

"Cyprus occupies a distinguished place in both sacred and profane history. It, early, belonged to the Phoenicians of the neighboring coast; was, afterwards, colonized by Greeks, passed successively under the power of the Pharaohs, Persians, Ptolemies and Romans, excepting a short period of independence in the fourth century B.C. It was one of the chief seats of the worship of Venus, hence, called Cypria. Recently, the discoveries in Cyprus by Cesnola have excited new interest." - Appleton's American Encyclopedia.

It was the native place of Barnabas, Acts 4:36, and was visited by Paul. Acts 13:4-13; Acts 15:39; Acts 21:3. See also Acts 27:4.