Ancient Kition
The ancient name of Larnaca and the birthplace of Zeno, founder of Stoicism
The story
Kition is an ancient city-kingdom on whose site modern Larnaca grew. According to the Department of Antiquities, Mycenaean Achaeans lived here from the late 13th to the late 11th century BC. At the Kathari site, temples and workshops where copper was smelted have been excavated from that time. In the 9th century BC the Phoenicians came and built a temple that is thought to be the temple of Astarte. A few hundred meters to the southeast, a military harbor of the Classical period has been excavated. Kition was the birthplace of Zeno, the philosopher who founded the Stoic school in Athens around 300 BC.
Kition is the ancient name of Larnaca, and the birthplace of the philosopher Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism. Practice questions also mention another name for Larnaca: Skala.
Visiting
Open on weekdays only, closed on Saturday and Sunday; better check holiday hours. Summer and winter hours differ. There is an entry fee: €2.50 according to the Department of Antiquities, better check before you go. The entrance is on the south side, from Archbishop Kyprianou Avenue.
Photos
Sources
- Department of Antiquities of Cyprus — Kition (archaeological site)
- Larnaka Tourism Board — Rich History
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy — Stoicism (Zeno of Citium)
- Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com) — Kition Archaeological Site
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