Janus de Lusignan had succeeded to the throne of Cyprus at twenty-four upon the death of his father James I in 1398.

Born in Genoa, where his father had been a captive, his mother had named him after the god who founded Genoa, according to a mythological tradition.

Janus in 1402 attempts to recover Famagusta, which is under Genoese rule.

The administrator of Famagusta, the Genoese Antonio de Karko, is (according to the writings of Amati), Janus’ godfather.

Janus conspires de Karko’s confessor, one Gregory, promising him the Bishopric of Famagusta.

Creating hidden keys for the city gates, the plan is for Gregory to assassinate de Karko and to open the gates for Janus' soldiers.

The plan is betrayed at the last moment, however.

The conspirators in Famagusta are arrested and twenty-eight of them are executed.

Famagusta remains in Genoese hands.