Ancient Kition, Cyprus

Ancient Kition, now mostly buried under the modern city of Larnaca, Cyprus, is counted among the ten city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus, as listed in an Assyrian inscription dating to circa 673-672 BC. Originally settled by the Mycenaeans and later the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago, it is known as the birthplace of Zeno the Philosopher and, according to one tradition, where Lazarus (yes, the one from the bible) lived for over 30 years until his (second) death and burial. He is said to have been appointed by the Apostles Paul and Barnabas as the city's first Bishop

The Kition Archaeological Site, or Kition-Kathari, is one of two excavated areas of the ancient city (and the only one currently open to the public). Upon first glance, it does not look like much. But upon closer inspection, it is readily apparent the site held great importance in antiquity and that it has a complex, multi-layered history. The interpretation of the site is excellent.

The site contains what was once an important sacred quarter, constructed against a portion of the city's northern defensive wall, which dates to the 13th century BC. Within are five temples, built from 1300 to 1200 BC, where the Cypriot Great Goddess (i.e, Anassa or Aphrodite) was worshiped, and where there existed workshops for the smelting of copper (a process associated with Aphrodite, and for which Cyprus was well known at the time). Most notable among the religious structures are an early Mycenaean sanctuary (built circa 1300 BC) and a monumental Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte (built circa 1200 BC)

The Cypriot Great Goddess was synonymous with the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite's birthplace, several other mythical locations associated with her, and two other even more important ancient sanctuaries dedicated to Aphrodite were located on the island (see the Aphrodite Cultural Route for more on this topic).

The temples at Kition appear to have been briefly abandoned circa 1000 BC. However, beginning in the 9th century BC, the Phoenicians conquered the city and converted the complex to the worship of the Phoenician goddess Astarte, their equivalent deity to Aphrodite.

The site's religious use was largely abandoned by the 4th century BC, following the conquest of Cyprus by Ptolemy I of Egypt. Though the cult of Aphrodite (identified variously as Hera, Artemis, Isis, and Arsinoe of Egypt) continued to thrive on the island until the 4th century AD and the end of the Roman period. Today, the area is heavily populated with the dense residential and commercial development of modern Larnaca's city center.

For more information, visit: https://www.visitcyprus.com

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The walls in the foreground are the foundation walls of the monumental Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte, erected in 1200 BC.

The monumental stone foundation walls of the Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte, built in 1200 BC, still in incredible condition. Archaeologists found inscribed pictures of ships/boats on this wall, which correspond to the Phoenician's seafaring culture.

Remnants of the northern defensive wall of ancient Kition, built in 1300 BC.

Altar stone showing the cultural influence of Minoan Crete,
typified by the "horns of consecration" at its base.

Entry to the sanctuary complex was on the left through a series of outer walls into a forecourt or courtyard - not unlike a modern monastery.
A corner of the Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte is on the right.

The three-aisle structure of the Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte, built 1200 BC.

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