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HISTORICAL TIMES
 The
cemetery of Kaloriziki (Ayios Ermogenis’ valley) was used
constantly over the subsequent periods, which are not
represented by any other architectural remains. Tombs of the
Geometric, Archaic and the Classical phase of the kingdom
testify in the same cemetery the continuity of the settlement.
According to the finds of the tombs dating to these periods, the
remains of the architectural style of the Mycenaean tombs is
considered the same as the one applied while building the tombs
of the seaports of Minet and Beida of the adjoining the city of
Ugarit.
This cemetery was extended to the northern cliff side, which is
known as Gerokarka.
Tombs dating mainly to the Late Cypro-Geometric and
Cypro-Archaic periods have also been identified in the Hellinika
and Finitzi area and some of them in the Mosque area.
In the Ayios Ermogenis’ valley there are also tomb assemblages
of the Hellenistic and Roman phases. Near the east gate of the
city, the excavations have revealed some tomb loculi and
arcosolia hewed out of a rock dating mainly to the Late Roman
period. This area used to be a quarry previously.
The most ancient reference to the Kingdom of Kourion (Kir) is
inscribed on the walls of a Temple at Medinet Habu with certain
reservations dating to the period of the reign of Ramsis III
(1198/1167 B.C.). According to some safer archaeological
sources, the settlement of the reign dates to the 11th century.
The reference made to the city in the light of the reign of
Esarhaddon (673/72) is safer. In this text King Damasus of
Kourion (Kuri) is in in the list of the vassals of the Assyrian
kings. Only Stassanor, who is related to the treason, occurred
in the struggle organised by Onesilos of Salamis against the
Persians in 499 B.C., is known among the posterior kings. With
this gesture, Stasanor acquires most probably important
privileges of autonomy for his kingdom.
According to subsequent sources, the name of the city is
attributed to its founder, Kourea, son of the legendary king
Kinyras, while no renowned hero is recorded as founder by the
tradition regarding the Argives.
The close relation between the city and Argolis is shown not
only in the common cult of Apollo and Hera but also in the known
and not negligible subsidy of Kourion to Argos amounting to 172
drachmas and 4 mites. This subsidy is destined most probably to
support financially a sanctuary, maybe the Heraeum. The kingdom
has already its own mint dating to the early 5th century A.D.
Despite the lack of precise references, it is considered almost
certain that Alexander the Great abolishes the kingdom of
Kourion at the same time with other kingdoms. With the island
joining the Macedonian State, new democratic institutions are
introduced. The Parliament or the City Secretary for whom there
is precise inscription testimony according to which there
existed local authorities as it happened in each city of the
Hellenistic State under the city commander of the Ptolemaic
guard.
The hellenization of the institutions was accompanied with a
particular cultural prosperity, which is expressed in the art of
that epoch. A typical element of these trends of full
hellenization is the absence in the Hellenistic period of any
inscription written in the Cypro-syllabic script.
The most ancient architectural remains found on the same cliff
of Kourion (325-50 B.C.) date to this period. Regular excavation
researches began in 1934 by the American University of
Pennsylvania and continued since then by American University
missions and the Cyprus Department of Antiquities.
The Hellenistic phase of the Kourion city has mainly been
identified in the Roman Forum (Hellenistic burials, public
building) while the first constructive phases of the house of
Eustolios and the Theatre date to the end of this period (late
2nd century B.C.).
Cyprus joining the Roman State (50 B.C.) was a smooth process
without any direct drastic changes. This period was marked by a
series of devastating earthquakes (15 B.C., 75 B.C., 332 B.C.,
342 B.C. 360 B.C. and 364 B.C.), which resulted to the
materialization of far-reaching constructive programs in the 1st
and 2nd century A.D. and in the late or in the early 5th century
A.D.
It should be noted that in the 2nd century A.D. with the
division of the island in four regions, Kourion was annexed and
became part of the Amathus region most probably with Kition.
Kourion became the shelter of the Apostles following their
deportation from Paphos. On this occasion, we are informed about
the existence of a powerful Judaic community, which had impeded
the entrance of the Apostles in the city. Its presence is also
testified by the worship of Lord God found in inscribed Roman
cipi and Judaic coins of the early centuries B.C. and A.D.
In the early 4th century there was testimony about the existence
of the Episcopal See with Filonides (303-305 A.D.) being the
first known bishop. Filonides, who is among the martyrs of
Diocletian’s era because he preferred to fall down the cliffs
instead of renouncing his faith. His successor Bishop Zenon was
more renowned. He is also among the Cypriot Bishops declared
Saints of the late Christian era with Saint Tychon, Saint
Epifanios, and Saint Spyridon etc. He participated in the
Ephesus Synod in 431 and met successfully the claims of the
Patriarch of Antioch regarding the autocephalous of the Church
of Cyprus.
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