15th century
Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean
The Mamluk conquest of Cyprus was a punitive campaign launched by Sultan Barsbay in 1426 against the Christian kingdom of Cyprus, which had continued to tolerate or support pirate raids despite a peace treaty with Egypt. An Egyptian fleet transported an army to the island, whose capital and king surrendered after a short siege. King James of Lusignan became a vassal and agreed to pay annual tribute, and Cyprus remained tributary to Egypt until the end of the Mamluk period.
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The Story
Sultan Barsbay ordered the campaign because Cyprus continued to provide a base for pirates attacking Egyptian and Syrian commerce. The island’s ships sometimes participated in these raids despite an existing peace treaty with Egypt. The expedition was therefore presented as a means of protecting Muslim shores and restoring Mamluk authority over a dangerous maritime corridor.
After preliminary attacks, the main campaign began in 1426. The Egyptian fleet transported an army composed chiefly of volunteers and Bedouin to Cyprus. Following a short siege, the island’s capital and its king surrendered, and the Egyptian forces returned with substantial booty and many prisoners.
King James of Lusignan was released after accepting vassal status and promising an annual tribute to Egypt. Cyprus remained a tributary state until the end of the Mamluk period, making its conquest the only territorial addition achieved by the Burji dynasty.
15th century
Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean
The Mamluk conquest of Cyprus was a punitive campaign launched by Sultan Barsbay in 1426 against the Christian kingdom of Cyprus, which had continued to tolerate or support pirate raids despite a peace treaty with Egypt. An Egyptian fleet transported an army to the island, whose capital and king surrendered after a short siege. King James of Lusignan became a vassal and agreed to pay annual tribute, and Cyprus remained tributary to Egypt until the end of the Mamluk period.
Continue exploring
The Story
Sultan Barsbay ordered the campaign because Cyprus continued to provide a base for pirates attacking Egyptian and Syrian commerce. The island’s ships sometimes participated in these raids despite an existing peace treaty with Egypt. The expedition was therefore presented as a means of protecting Muslim shores and restoring Mamluk authority over a dangerous maritime corridor.
After preliminary attacks, the main campaign began in 1426. The Egyptian fleet transported an army composed chiefly of volunteers and Bedouin to Cyprus. Following a short siege, the island’s capital and its king surrendered, and the Egyptian forces returned with substantial booty and many prisoners.
King James of Lusignan was released after accepting vassal status and promising an annual tribute to Egypt. Cyprus remained a tributary state until the end of the Mamluk period, making its conquest the only territorial addition achieved by the Burji dynasty.
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