Amathus or Amathous (Greek Ἀμαθοῦς): port in southern Cyprus, modern Limassol.
Early History
Egyptianizing capital
Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age: Original settlement. Commercial activity.
c. 800 BCE: Phoenicians settle in Amathus and build a temple on the acropolis, dedicated to Astarte. The Greeks will identify this goddess with their Aphrodite.
Amathus is included in the Assyrian and – after the fall of Nineveh (in 612 BCE) – Egyptian zone of influence
c.499 BCE: The Ionian Revolt spreads to Cyprus. The cities unite under Onesilus of Salamis; only Amathus remains loyal. The Persians restore order
Fifth century BCE: Rebuilding of the palace and the temple.
332 BCE: Androcles, the last king of Amathus, supports Alexander the Great, who is besieging Tyre.
After 323 BCE: After the death of Alexander, his successors fight for a share of the inheritance. After the battle of Ipsus, Cyprus is an uncontested part of the Ptolemaic Empire.
Greek bathhouse
Third and second century: A new harbor is built; the cult of Isis and Sarapis is introduced; worship of queen Arsinoe.
Amathus, Hellenistic baths
Amathus, Agora, General view
Amathus, Fountain, water conduit
Amathus, Fountain
Roman Age
58 BCE: Cyprus conquered by the Romans.
End of the first century BCE: The sanctuary of Aphrodite is rebuilt. A colonnade is added.
22 CE: The Senate grants the sanctuary of Aphrodite the right of asylum.
77/78 CE: Earthquake. The sanctuary is rebuilt.
Second century CE: The “golden age” of the Roman Empire.
Late Antiquity
Christian basilica
Fourth century: Christianity is established; Saint Tychon.
Fifth century: The temple of Aphrodite, which has fallen in decay, is repaired and converted to a church. Another church is built near the shore.
Early seventh century: A Christian basilica is built on the acropolis.
649: Arab attacks. The city is destroyed and abandoned.
