Kourion
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Kourion (Greek: Κούριον), also Curias (Pliny v. 13) or Latin: Curium, was a city in Cyprus from antiquity until the early middle ages. Kourion is situated to the west of the river Lycus, 16 M. P. from Amathus. (Peut. Tab.), and was recorded by numerous ancient authors including Ptolemy (v. 14. § 2), Stephanus of Byzantium, Hierocles, and Pliny the Elder.
History
Kourion was said to have been founded by the Argives. (Herodot. v. 113; Strabo xiv. p. 683.) Stesenor, its sovereign, betrayed the cause of his country during the war against the Persians. (Herod. l. c.) Near the town was a cape (Φρούριον, Ptol. v. 14. § 2), from which sacrilegious offenders who had dared to touch the altar of Apollo were thrown into the sea. (Strab. l. c.)
Ruins
The ruins of Kourion, near Piscopia, one of the most fertile spots in the island, (Richard Pococke, Trav. vol. ii. p. 329; Engel, Kypros, vol. i. p. 118.), are extensive and include well-preserved mosaics.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography by William Smith (1857).
External links
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