‘Cyprus.’ [‎77r] (153/184)

MANUFACTURES AND INDUSTRY.
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was as farmers. He based his opinion upon the following facts,
viz.: the soil is fertile, and may be had, either by purchase, or on
lease, at most moderate prices: the cultivation of grain, vegetables
and fruits of all sorts is largely profitable where economy and a
moderate capital are combined with diligent effort; perfect security
to life and property is an advantage possessed to a greater degree
in Cyprus in any other part of Turkey.
This being the case in 1872, it may fairly be considered that
the British occupation being now an accomplished fact, still greater
opportunities are at present offered for success in agricultural pur
suits, and there can be little doubt that capital so embarked, and
administered with practical knowledge and economy would soon
bring in handsome returns.
The Cypriotes do not appear to have excelled in art; still, some Art and
few names have been preserved, and it is probable that further literature,
researches will discover others.
A sculptor named Styppax is known as a contemporary of Peri
cles ; Simos, another sculptor, was a native of Salamis, as also was
Onasiphon, whose name, with that of Epicharmos of Soli, is on an
inscription at Rhodes. One Zenodotes is mentioned in a tablet at
Nea Paphos.
It has been already described how the use of the soft Cyprian
marble, or limestone, was fatal to the production of high art in
sculpture.
Embroidery seems almost to have been carried to the position
of a fine art. It is called Assyrian work by Pausanias.
As regards literature, Euclus, one of the earlier prophetic
singers, was a native of Cyprus, and some of his verses existed in
the time of Pausanias. The author of the Cyprian Iliad or Kypria,
Stasinos, was born in Cyprus, and wrote this poem in conjunction
with Hegesias; its subject is the events which led to the siege of
Troy. Cleon of Kurium is alleged to have written a poem on the
Argonauts; amongst other writers were the lyric poet Hermeius of
Curium, and Sopatros, the author of some comedies. Of prose
writers there was Clearchus of Soli, who wrote biographies, and a
work called Gergithos.
Zeno, the philosopher, was born in Citium.