George of Cyprus

Who is George of Cyprus?

George of Cyprus was a Byzantine geographer of the early seventh century.

Nothing is known of his life save that he was born at Lapithos in the island of Cyprus. He is known for his Descriptio orbis Romani, written in the decade 600–610. It is written in Greek, and lists cities, towns, fortresses and administrative divisions of the Eastern Roman Empire. The list begins with Italy and moves counterclockwise along the Mediterranean, from Africa, Egypt and Oriens. The surviving list is evidently incomplete, as the Balkans are excluded. The Descriptio only survived in a compilation, probably from the 9th century, along with other lists such as ecclesiastical notitiae. It is possible that the compiler, usually thought to be the Armenian Basil of Ialimbana, altered George's text.