Early Christian houses are still very scarce and do not allow us to draw firm conclusions as to their plan. Despite the dearth of information we can support the view that large city-dwellings had a peristyle yard, an apsidal room, the so-called triclinium, and that they were lavishly decorated.
The rural house consists of one or two rooms of poor construction and a variety of agricultural tools indicate relevant activities. Repeated invasions of Cyprus by the Saracens put an end to building activities. Rich people abandon their homes for safer places. Squatters move in and put up their living quarters in the rich villas or even in the religious complexes of desolated basilicas.