Kourion
Κούριον
United Kingdom · Island of Cyprus, Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area
In brief
Kourion is an ancient city-kingdom that developed on a hill on the southern coast of Cyprus. The excavation site within the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area is managed by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities; a theatre, houses, baths and a basilica can be seen here.
What was found?
- 1Mosaics of the House of Eustolios
Mosaics and inscriptions decorating the building's floors were found. Eustolios's name is also known from an inscription.
- 2Mosaics of the House of the Gladiators
The mosaics around the courtyard depict gladiatorial contests. They show how Roman spectacle culture was reflected in residential decoration.
- 3Mosaics of the House of Akhilleus
The principal mosaic depicts the story of Akhilleus's identity being revealed by Odysseus. It documents the place of mythological narratives in floor decoration.
- 4Greco-Roman theater
The theater, built in the Hellenistic period, was expanded during the Roman period. It shows that the same performance building was developed and used in different periods.
- 5Early Christian basilica
A separate baptistery stands north of the basilica. The building complex documents the spatial organization of Christian worship in the city.
What does it point to?
The mosaics show that mythological narratives and spectacles had a place in the inhabitants' visual world. The baths and basilica point to the importance of communal spaces and religious buildings in urban life.
What did it teach us?
- Documented the transformation of the Eustolios building from a private residence into a center opened to public use.
- Showed that mosaics could depict both mythological narratives and gladiatorial spectacles.
- The theater's expansions revealed that public buildings were reorganized over generations.
Images



Record
- Culture
- Ancient Cypriot, Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine
- Team / historical
- Department of Antiquities, Cyprus
- Coordinates
- 34.6642°, 32.8877°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Amathus 24 km
- Choirokoitia 44 km
- Nea Paphos 45 km
- Hala Sultan Tekke Bronze Age City 70 km
- Salamis, Cyprus 109 km
- Byblos 260 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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