There are very few places on earth where architectural monuments of antiquity have been preserved. Indeed, more than a thousand years have passed since the great empire fell. One of the few places that preserve traces of ancient Greek culture is the ancient city of Kourion in Cyprus. True, for a long time this is not a settlement , but an archaeological museum. The article describes the history of Kourion (Cyprus).
Geographical position
Ancient Kourion (Cyprus) is located on a hill. It can be seen from afar. The ancient city is located near Limassol - only 70 km from it. The first ruins in Kourion were discovered in the second half of the 19th century. Excavations continued for more than a century, but intermittently. The last antiquities here were discovered in the early eighties of the last century. Today it is a rather interesting place, and not only for lovers of antiquity, but also for those who like to arrange unusual photo shoots.
History
According to researchers, Kourion appeared in the XI century BC. This city is mentioned in the writings of ancient Greek writers, including Herodotus. The first inhabitants of Kourion were Agros Greeks. Where did the name of the city come from? Later, after Herodotus , many chroniclers claimed that Curio was named after a certain ruler named Curios . Hence also other historical names, for example, " Curia Kingdom " . The omniscient Herodotus held the same point of view, the opinion of which was mainly referred to by later researchers.
During the excavation, a golden rod was discovered, which, presumably, was created in the XI century BC. This find confirms the opinion that Kourion was founded in the 11th - 12th centuries BC.
City on the hill
In ancient times, people wandered more and more. For a long time to settle in any territory they could make only a special event. Indeed, for a comfortable life, it was necessary not only to build a city, but also to protect it from the invasion of enemies. Today, it is not known to whom of the ancients it came to found a city on the site of a modern archaeological park. One can only speculate. But why exactly they chose a place on the hill is not difficult to guess.
The ancient city was founded in an extremely picturesque area. Olive groves against the backdrop of the sea landscape - what could be more beautiful? However, the founders of Kourion did not choose these lands for aesthetic reasons. The fact is that, being on a hill, it is difficult not to notice the approaching enemy. A city built on a hill is much easier to guard against invasions than the one in the lowlands.
But even a convenient geographical location was not the only reason for the creation of Kourion . People in those days lived thanks to agriculture, and therefore to exist on the infertile lands was for them akin to death. And in the city of Kurgan, grapes and olive grew in abundance. In addition, the Kuris River flowed near, the water from which was used for household needs. In addition, residents had the opportunity to engage in fishing.
Visiting Cyprus, but not visiting Kourion is simply impossible. After all, the island is directly related to the legendary Hellas, the legends and legends of which are likely to never be forgotten. Even a person who has never heard of the great ancient Greek writers will be interested in the ancient city of Kourion . Here once the events of the famous Trojan War took place, which is dedicated to more than one modern film with the participation of Hollywood stars .
Cyprus is considered the birthplace of Aphrodite - one of the main Greek goddesses. From the ancient city only columns and walls have been preserved. Just a century and a half ago, they were under a thick layer of earth. As already mentioned, the scientists carried out the first serious excavations in the middle of the 19th century. Before telling about the main attractions of Kourion , it is worth setting out one entertaining story.
Gold digger find
Kourion was discovered by accident. In the 19th century , there were many adventurers and gold miners in Europe. One of them once went to Cyprus in order to find there a huge treasury, about the presence of which he once heard in a conversation the same “ black diggers ” in his conversation. This man’s name was Luigi di Chesnola . It is worth saying that the Italian enjoyed a very unsightly reputation, but, despite this, made a good career. He was sent to Cyprus, where he took the post of American consul. Here, in parallel with the main activity, de Chesonala began the search for treasures. And found. The American consul, of course, appropriated a certain part of the treasures. But thanks to the determination, curiosity and, perhaps, greed of this person, Cyprus, and the whole world, has acquired a unique attraction.
sights
Today, the ancient city is an archaeological park. Entrance here is paid. The ticket costs about four and a half euros. According to tourists' reviews, visiting this territory without an escort of a guide or without a video guide is not interesting. If you have a desire to get acquainted with the ancient places on your own, you should collect at least brief information about the main attractions in advance. In this case, the tour will be informative, interesting.
Sights of Kourion :
- House of Achilles.
- Christian basilica.
- The home of the gladiators.
- Residence of Efstolia .
- Public baths.
- Antique Theater.
Achilles House
The ancient Greeks believed in all kinds of deities. This faith played an important role in public life. Their literary works surprisingly combined historical events and real people with legends and mythical characters. Probably the ancient Greeks themselves could no longer distinguish where fiction and truth.
Achilles was a hero. That is, not just a man capable of feat, but the son of God and a mortal woman. But, of course, he was also a brave warrior, as evidenced by numerous legends dedicated to the Trojan War. True, the heel failed him. Why did the strongest of the strongest have a weak spot that prevented him from winning the last battle? According to one legend, the woman who gave birth to her was embarrassed by the fact that she was the mother of the hero. And therefore, in order to make sure that her son, a mere mortal (or vice versa), dipped him several times into the River Styx. As a result, the baby became even stronger, but the miraculous power did not spread to the heel held by his mother.
The home of Achilles , located in Kourion , is not directly related to this character. The house once belonged to a wealthy Roman nobleman, perhaps more than once passed from one kind to another. The name of the building was due to the mosaic images on the walls. The motives of the Trojan War and the events of the life of Achilles are the main in the design of this house. And precisely because, before setting off on a trip to Kourion , one should recall the famous legends and legends.
House of gladiators
This architectural monument is located near the home of Achilles . It is a Roman house equipped with a courtyard, which is surrounded by covered galleries. One can only guess what happened a few millennia ago in these walls. But like the house of Achilles , this building is decorated with mosaics. Pictures on the walls of the architectural monument reflect gladiatorial battles. Hence the name.
Christian basilica
Of all the provinces of the Roman Empire, Kourion was the first to adopt Christianity. Of course, this did not happen in one day. Local people refused paganism for quite some time. The Christian Basilica is an architectural monument that dates back to the early stage of Christianity. What is a basilica? This is a quadrangular structure consisting of naves of various heights. The basilica in Kourion , according to archaeologists, was built in the V century.
Residence of Evstolia
The large house, located in the south-west of the city, was founded at about the same time as the basilica. The inhabitant of this dwelling was an exemplary Christian. This is evidenced by numerous graffiti. Eustolius believed that value should not be material wealth, but spiritual. The walls of the house are decorated with mosaics not with pagan motifs, but with Christian ones.
Kourion Amphitheater (Cyprus)
This building dates back to the second century BC. As a result of research, it turned out that the theater was rebuilt several times in the era of the Roman Empire. This building is located in the south of the city. Like other ancient theaters, it is located on a semicircular hillside.
The largest earthquake that occurred in the fourth century, wiped out all the ancient Greek temples. This tragedy put an end to paganism, opened a new period in the history of mankind - Christian. Fortunately, the few architectural monuments located in Kourion enabled scientists in the 19th and 20th centuries to carry out large-scale studies, thanks to which we today know about the life and customs of the ancient era.
The archaeological park has covered gazebos. Here you can buy soft drinks. The city plan is displayed on the diagram, which can be found at the entrance to the museum. How to get to Kourion (Cyprus)? The most convenient way is to take bus number 16 from the nearest city - Limassol . You need to get out at the Old Hospital stop.
Kourion (Cyprus) reviews are admired. But tourists warn: you should not go here with children. The only minus of traveling around the ancient city is the heat, which is not easy for a child and an adult with poor health to endure.