Final answer:
Richard I used Cyprus as a base to prepare a fleet for expanding control across the Aegean archipelago, reflecting the era's imperial ambitions and conquest-driven strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
After Richard I acquired Cyprus, he used the island as a strategic base to prepare a new fleet to expand his influence across the Aegean archipelago. The intent behind this expansion was either to bring the islands under his control or to destroy them. These military actions aligned with the era's imperialistic ambitions, resembling the actions of Philip of Macedon and other historical figures who used conquest to solve economic issues and to satiate their troops' desire for continuous warfare and loot.
During this period, conquests were often rationalized under various pretexts, such as cultural revenge or restoring justice and order, as seen with Philip's call for a Greek invasion of Persia and Pompey's resettlement of pirates to transform their way of life. Richard's actions in Cyprus can be viewed within this continuum of imperial strategies aimed at consolidating power and managing conquered territories.