History Salamis, Cyprus

1 history

1.1 history
1.2 in greek period
1.3 resistance persian rule
1.4 alexander great , roman empire
1.5 in roman , byzantine periods
1.6 christianity

history
early history

the earliest archaeological finds go eleventh century bc (late bronze age iii). copper ores of cyprus made island essential node in earliest trade networks, , cyprus source of orientalizing cultural traits of mainland greece @ end of greek dark ages, hypothesized walter burkert in 1992. children s burials in canaanite jars indicate phoenician presence. harbour , cemetery period have been excavated. town mentioned in assyrian inscriptions 1 of kingdoms of iadnana (cyprus). in 877 assyrian army reached mediterranean shores first time. in 708 city-kings of cyprus paid homage sargon ii of assyria (burkert). first coins minted in 6th century bc, following persian prototypes.

the theatre, salamis

cyprus under control of assyrians @ time city-states of island enjoyed relative independence long paid tribute assyrian king. allowed kings of various cities accumulate wealth , power. burial customs observed in royal tombs of salamis relate directly homeric rites, such sacrifice of horses in honor of dead , offering of jars of olive oil. scholars have interpreted phenomenon result of influence of homeric epics in cyprus. of grave goods come levant or egypt.

according foundation myth, founder of salamis said teucer, son of telamon, not return home after trojan war because had failed avenge brother ajax. there evidence area had been occupied long before alleged arrival of mycenaeans (at enkomi) , town of salamis developed replacement when engkomi isolated sea. there otherwise little direct evidence support foundation myth.

in greek period

in 11th century bc, town confined rather small area around harbour expanded westwards occupy area, today covered forest. cemetery of salamis covers large area western limits of forest monastery of st. barnabas west, outskirts of village of ayios serghios north, , outskirts of enkomi village south. contains tombs dating 9th century bc down christian period. earlier tombs within forest area, near boundary of town.

though salamis maintained direct links near east during 8th , 7th centuries bc, there bonds aegean well. 1 royal tomb contained large amount of greek geometric pottery , has been explained dowry of greek princess married royal family of salamis. greek pottery found in tombs of ordinary citizens. @ time greeks embarking on eastward expansion founding colonies in asia minor , syria; salamis must have served intermediate station; has been suggested cypriots helped greeks in venture.

resistance persian rule

in 450 bc, salamis site of simultaneous land , sea battle between athens , persians. (this not confused earlier battle of salamis in 480 bc between greeks , persians @ salamis in attica.)

the history of salamis during archaic , classical periods reflected in narrations of greek historian herodotus , later speeches of greek orator isocrates. salamis afterwards besieged , conquered artaxerxes iii. under king evagoras (411-374 bc) greek culture , art flourished in city , interesting 1 day when spade of archaeologist uncovers public buildings of period. monument, illustrates end of classical period in salamis, tumulus, covered cenotaph of nicocreon, 1 of last kings of salamis, perished in 311 bc. on monumental platform found several clay heads, of portraits, perhaps of members of royal family honoured after death on pyre.

marguerite yon (archaeologist) claims literary texts , inscriptions suggest classical period, kition [in present-day larnaca] 1 of principal local powers, along neighbor salamis.

alexander great , roman empire

after alexander great conquered persian empire, ptolemy of egypt ruled island of cyprus. forced nicocreon, had been ptolemaic governor of island, commit suicide in 311 bc, because did not trust him more. in place came king menelaus, brother of first ptolemy. nicocreon supposed buried in 1 of big tumuli near enkomi. salamis remained seat of governor.

map showing ten ancient city kingdoms of cyprus

in 306 bc, salamis site of naval battle between fleets of demetrius of macedon , ptolemy of egypt. demetrius won battle , captured island.

in roman times, salamis part of roman province of cilicia. seat of governor relocated paphos. town suffered heavily during jewish rising of ad 116–117. although salamis ceased capital of cyprus hellenistic period onwards when replaced paphos, wealth , importance did not diminish. city particularly favoured roman emperors trajan , hadrian, restored , established public buildings.

in roman , byzantine periods

the cultural centre of salamis during roman period situated @ northernmost part of city, gymnasium, theatre, amphitheatre, stadium , public baths have been revealed. there baths, public latrines (for 44 users), various little bits of mosaic, harbour wall, hellenistic , roman agora , temple of zeus had right grant asylum. byzantine remains include basilica of bishop epiphanos (ad 367–403). served metropolitan church of salamis. st. epiphanios buried @ southern apse. church contains baptistry heated hypocausts. church destroyed in 7th century , replaced smaller building south.

there extensive ruins. theatre, , gymnasium have been extensively restored. numerous statues displayed in central court of gymnasium of headless. while statue of augustus belonged here, columns , statues adorned theatre , brought here after earthquake in 4th century. theatre of augustean date. house 15.000 spectators destroyed in 4th century.

the town supplied water aquaeduct kyhrea, destroyed in 7th century. water collected in large cistern near agora. necropolis of salamis covers ca. 7 km² west of town. contains museum showing of finds. burials date geometric hellenistic period. best known burials so-called royal-tombs, containing chariots , extremely rich grave gifts, including imports egypt , syria. tomb excavated in 1965 french mission of university of lyon brought light extraordinary wealth of tomb-gifts, attest trade relations near east.

christianity

in known first missionary journey , paul apostle , cypriot-born barnabas made salamis first destination, landing there after heading out antioch of syria. there proclaimed christ in jewish synagogues before proceeding through rest of island (acts 13:1-5). tradition says barnabas preached in alexandria , rome, , stoned death @ salamis in 61 ce. considered founder of church of cyprus. bones believed located in nearby monastery named after him.

several earthquakes led destruction of salamis @ beginning of 4th century. town rebuilt under name of constantia constantius ii (337–361) , became episcopal seat, famous occupant of saint epiphanius. emperor constantius ii helped salaminians not reconstruction of city helped them relieving them paying taxes short period , new city, rebuilt on smaller scale, named constantia. silting of harbour led gradual decline of town. salamis abandoned during arab invasions of 7th century after destructions muawiyah i. inhabitants moved arsinoë (famagusta).