Overview:

Ancient Arsinoe In Cyprus is a small archaeological site located on the east coast of the island in the Paphos District. The ancient city was founded around the 5th century BC and was once the capital of the small Kingdom of Cyprus. It was later destroyed by the Persians in the 6th century BC. The ruins today consist of residential ruins, a temple, and an acropolis. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cyprus
Prominent Features:

The Ancient City of Arsinoe in Cyprus is an archaeological site of significance, filled with ruins from the Late Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. It includes remains of not only the city walls and gates, but also a cult complex, the city center and its monuments, public buildings, various housing areas, necropolises and other structures. Other features of significant archeological importance include four Early Christian basilicas, Byzantine fortifications, and an Angilla fort. Other elements of the ruins include an Early Christian catacomb complex and several ancient churches. This national monument of Cyprus portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The ancient city of Arsinoe, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in present-day Cyprus, is believed to date back to the 12th century BC. It was an important trading post for the Assyrians and the Phoenicians and was later colonized by the Greeks. The city was populated by a mix of Assyrian, Greek, and Phoenician peoples. The city grew in importance during the period of Classical Greece. It was home to a temple for the god Apollo, and its harbor served as an important trading post for merchants. Artifacts like inscriptions, coins, and sculptures have been discovered in and around the city. In the 4th century BC, the city was conquered by the Egyptian king Ptolemy I during his campaign to conquer Cyprus. Later the Ptolemies, who ruled from Alexandria, used the port for their naval fleets. The city prospered under the Ptolemaic dynasty until it was sacked by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. From the 4th century AD, Arsinoe was part of the Byzantine Empire, and it eventually fell to the Arabs in the 7th century. In the late 8th century AD, the Arabs were driven out and the city eventually joined the Kingdom of Cyprus. Despite a long and tumultuous history, archaeological sites at the site, including a theatre, agora, and temple, have been preserved. The ruins of the city still exist today and are a popular tourist destination. You must visit one of these historical places in Cyprus on your Cyprus tour

Interesting facts:

1. Arsinoe was once the capital of Cyprus. It was the site of both Greek and Roman temples, and a major spiritual center for the cults of Aphrodite and Artemis. 2. The ancient city was built around a fortress, and surrounded by a wall with four gates. 3. In the 3rd century BCE, the Greek general Pauros victoriously fought the armies of the Persian King Antiochus. 4. In 46 BCE, the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar built a shrine dedicated to the goddess Isis in Arsinoe. 5. The ruins of a rock-cut temple dedicated to Aphrodite still remain in Arsinoe. 6. The traditional folk dance of Arsinoe is the Syrtos, which is named after the ancient city. 7. Arsinoe was an important commercial trading hub which attracted merchants and foreigners from all over the world. 8. In the 5th century BCE, a lighthouse was built in Arsinoe as a navigation aid. 9. A 4th century BCE inscription honoring Zeus and Hera still remains in the ancient city. 10. The temple of Jupiter and Zeus is one of the most popular sites in Arsinoe. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cyprus with your friends and family.