During the early Christian era, until the 7th century, the island of Rhodes belonged to the eastern part of the Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire. Rhodes was part of the Byzantine province of the Dodecanese. During this period, several earthquakes struck the island, damaging and weakening it. Not surprisingly, it became the target of many invaders - Goths, Persians, pirates, corsairs and later Arabs. But the Byzantine Empire left it to its own fate.

The first Arabs appeared in the Mediterranean and first attacked the weakened island militarily in the 7th century, occupying it for several decades. The city of Rhodes was fortified with new walls and divided in two under Arab rule. One part of the city was designated for military and political power, and the other part was inhabited by ordinary city dwellers. The decline of the island continued, and in the 9th century the Arabs under Harun ar-Rashid ravaged the island.

Monuments:

Many well-preserved churches and monasteries from the early Christian era can be found on Rhodes. There are nice ones in the town of Rhodes, Lindos or the village of Eleousa.