Archeological Site of Kourion
According to the ancient historian Herodotus, the ancient city-kingdom of Kourion was founded by the Argives, the inhabitants of ancient Argos in the Peloponnese. Later writers associated the place-name with the name of the founder Koureas, son of the mythical king Kinyras
The Mycenaean colonization of the area, which began in the 14th century and was completed at the end of the 12th century BC, does not comprise the beginning of this civilization. Rather, it defines the continuation of an already developed civilization, whose course had already been set in the area from the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods with a continued presence in the Early and Middle Bronze Age.
No architectural remains of the following historical periods are preserved. The continuation of the colonization in the area has been indicated by the archeological discovery of the large necropoleis of the Geometric, Archaic and Classical phases of the city-Kingdom.
The entirety of the city-kingdom must have encompassed the fertile valley of the Kouris river, the Cape of the Cats and possibly a small section of the Troodos mountain range, where the win-producing villages are located. The western limits of the city-kingdom coincide today with the western limits of the eclesiastical district of Lemesos.
Despite the lack of specific references, it is almost certain that the city-kingdom of Kourion was abolished at the same time as the other city-kingdoms by Alexander the Great, With the incorporation of the island into the Macedonian State, new democratic ideas were adopted that indicate the existence of local governance. The Hellenization of the statues come hand in hand with a cultural zenith that was expressed in the art of that period and especially in the architecture. The oldest architectural remains that have been found on the hill of Kourion primarily date to the Hellenistic period (325-50 BC).
Cyprus become a Roman possession in 50 BC without any immediate drastic changes. This period is noted for a series of destructive earthquakes (15 AD, 75 AD, 332 AD, 342 AD, 360 AD and 364 AD), that resulted in the carrying out of extensive building programmes during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd century AD and towards the ends or beginning of the 5th century AD.
During the 2nd century AD, with the division of the island into four administrative districts, Kourion was incorporated into the administractive district of Amathous, as was Kition.
The transation of the inhabitants of Kourion to the new religion of Christianity is reflected in the mosaic floors of the House of Eustolius Towards the end of the 4th and at the beginning of the 5th century, while the existence of an Episcopal diocese is already testified by the beginning of the 4th century AD.
The Monuments
The Theatre
The Theatre was probably built towards the end of the 2nd century BC and originally had a circular orchestra. Due to the intense earthquakes in the area, it suffered from repeated damage, which led to a series of restorations in the mid-1st, 2nd and 3rd century AD.
It was destroyed and completely abandoned in the 4th century AD. The existing theatre is for the most part a modern reconstruction. The theatre could seat up to 3000 people.
The Agora
The Agora compelx, located in the northeastern part of the plateau consists of a series of public buildings and hydraulic installations that were excavated mainly in the period 1975-1997.
The Stoa
A colonnade of 16 marble columns can be seen today, of which 6 were found in their original position. The colonnade and its parallel wall make up the north wing of the Stoa that Surronded the large square and that had been built towards the end of the 2nd century or beginning of the 3rd century AD. It was destroyed in the mid-4th century and was abandoned for a few years. In the early 5th century AD it was replaced by various early Christian buildings.
The Northeastern Hellenistic public structure
It is the oldest building that has been discovered in Kourion. Only the foundation of the south external wall and the lower sections of a few partitions walls of the interior are preserved. Three architectural phases can be seen, which date between 325-200 BC, 200-100 BC and 100-50 BC.
The Roman Nymphaeum
The Nymphaeum was the sanctuary of the Nymphs who were the daughters of Poseidon. It is located within a large complex of installations that are associated with the irrigation of the city and the baths. It was built in the 1st century AD and destroyed in the 7th century AD, during the period of the Arab raids. Four chronological phases can be seen here 15-100 AD, 100-250 AD, 250-370 AD and 400-650AD.
House of Eustolius
It was built in its initial phase during the early Roman period and was remodeled to a great extent during the 3rd and 4rd century AD. The entire complex as can be seen today is the result of rebuilding on a grand scale in the last years of the reign of the emperor Theodosius II (408-450 AD). It follows the well-known architectural type of a peristyle Roman villa.
The remains of important mosaic floors are preserved in this house, among which are two inscriptions that show the connection that Eustolius had to both paganism and the new religion of Christianity.
House of the Gladiator
This luxurious private residence (or perhaps a small public palaestra) took its name from the main theme depicted on the mosaic floor. Its is located between the Nymphaeum and te House on the northwestern edge of the hill and was built in the second half of the 3rd century AD and destroyed by the earthquakes in the 4th century AD.
Earthwuake House
This private residence can be seen on ascending the hill of kourioun to the left of the bend towards the Theatre. It was built in the late 1st or early 2nd century AD, remodeled in the mid-4th century and completely destroyed by the large earthquake that occurred after the mid-4th century (365 AD). In the ruins of this house an image of everyday life in the city of Kourion at the time of the destruction has been preserved. All the finds are currently on Display in the Local Museum of Kouruion at Episkopi
House of Achilles
Located on the northwestern edge of the hill, adjacent to the street leading to the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates. It is dated to the 4th century AD and inside are preserved mosaic floors depicting pagan themes. The fact that it is located near the entrance to the city indicated that is may have been used as a reception area for formal visitors. The central scene shows the meeting of Achilles and Ulysses in the house of Lycomedes where Achilles, disguised as a woman, had been sent by his mother to avoid the Trojan War.
Early Christian Basilica
The Early Christian basilica of Kourion is dated to the beginning of the 5th century AD and probably functioned as the Cathedral church of the first bishops of Kourion. The remains suggest that the basilica was once an imposing building. It was decorated with mural mosaics, mosaics floors and marble sculptures.
The basilica consists of the nave, with catechumena along the aisles, a narthex to the west and the diakonikon, which is attached to the narthex. To the north of the diakonikon a building originally composed of two storeys can be identified as the residence of the bishop of Kourion. Along the northern side of the basilica, a baptistery in the form of a small three aisled basilica with a narthex is attached together with an atrium.
Source: Touristic Guide
