Marion, Cyprus

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Map showing the ancient city Kingdoms of Cyprus

Marion (Greek: Μάριον) was one of the Ten city-kingdoms of Cyprus. It was situated in the north-west of the island in the Akamas region, close to the present town of Polis.[1] Both Strabo and Pliny the Elder mention the city in their writings.

The city was founded in the 7th century BC and grew wealthy from the nearby copper and gold mines. It also served as an important trading port for both metal and timber. The current port of Latchi, is built on the foundations of this ancient harbour, where its remnants are visible to this day.[2]

In 450 BC, the city was conquered by the Athenian general Kimon during his Cyprus campaign. He was pursuing the Persians following the Battle of Salamis (in Cyprus) in an attempt to re establish Athenian supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean. It was eventually destroyed in 312 BC by Ptolemy I and was later replaced by the nearby city of Arsinoe.

Excavations

Archaeological excavations of the area were first undertaken by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition between 1927 and 1931.[3][4] This was followed by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, and since 1983 by the Princeton Cyprus Expedition.[5][6]

E. Linder and A. Raban carried out the only investigation of the remains of the harbour in 1971.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Childs, William (November 1997). "The Iron Age Kingdom of Marion". Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research (The American Schools of Oriental Research) 308 (308): 37–48. doi:10.2307/1357408. JSTOR 1357408. 
  2. ↑ "World of naval dockyards - The port of the kingdom of Marion". University of Cyprus. Retrieved 2007-03-05. 
  3. ↑ Gjerstad, E.; P. Dikaios (1949). "The Swedish Cyprus Expedition: Vol. IV". The Journal of Hellenic Studies (The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies) 69: 124. doi:10.2307/629546. JSTOR 629546. 
  4. ↑ E. Gjerstad, J. Lindros, E. Sjöqvist, A. Westholm, The Swedish Cyprus Expedition (Vols I-IV)
  5. ↑ Childs W.P., 1988 "First preliminary report on the excavations at Polis Chrysochous by Princeton University", Report of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus (1988), Nicosia, 121-130
  6. ↑ Childs W.P., 1999 "Princeton excavations at Polis Chrysochous 1994-1997", Report of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus (1999), Nicosia, p223-237
  7. ↑ Raban A., 1995 "The Heritage of Ancient Harbour Engineering in Cyprus and the Levant" in Karageorgis V. – D. Michaelides (ed.), Proceedings of the International Symposium Cyprus and the Sea, Nicosia, p165

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