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Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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GIOVANNI MARITI
Travels in the Island of Cyprus
page 192

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they, were compelled to lay aside their arms before entering the tent, and thus bound were led one by one into the open square before the tent, and cut to pieces in Mustafa's presence. Then twice and thrice he made Signor Bragadino, who showe'd no sign of fear, stretch out his neck as though he would strike off his head, but spared his life and cut off his ears and nose, and as he lay on the ground Mustafa reviled him, cursing our Saviour and saying "where now is thy Christ that He doth not help thee ? " The general made never an answer. Count Hercole, one of the hostages, was also bound, but was hidden by one of Mustafa's eunuchs until his chief's fury was passed. He spared his life and made him his slave. There were three Greeks in the tent who were released, but the soldiers present in the Turkish camp were hewed in pieces, with 300 other Christians, who never dreamed of such gross perfidy and savagery. The Christians who were already embarked were thrown into chains and robbed. The second day after the murders, August 17, Mustafa first entered the city. He caused the most worshipful Tiepolo to be hanged. I, who was in the city when the rest were slaughtered and enslaved, lay hid in Greek houses five days; but when I got no more shelter, the penalties were too great, I surrendered as a slave to a Sanjaq of Bir, with whom I stayed in the camp, my ransom being fixed at 500 sequins. On August 17, being a Friday and their holiday, Signor Bragadino was led, Mustafa being present throughout, to the batteries built against the city and was made to carry one basket full of earth up, and another down, on each fort, and made to kiss the ground when he passed before Mustafa. Then he was led to the shore, set in a slung seat, and hoisted on the yard of a galley hung "like a stork" in view of all the slaves and Christian soldiers in the port. He was then led to the square, stripped, made to sit on the grating of the pillory, and brutally flayed alive. He bore all with great firmness and faith, never losing heart but ever with the sternest constancy reproaching The Siege of Famagusta 189

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