Roman Heritage in Cyprus
House of Dyonisus
The Triumph of Dionysus
This scene according to mythology, presents the god's triumphal return from a military campaign in India. Dionysus is seating on a two-wheeled chariot crowned with ivy leaves.
Dionysius and Ikarius
This mosaic presents the Ikarius story. On the left Dionysus holding grapes with Akme half naked. Dionysus is giving the gift of Vine and wine to Ikarius, who is standing in the middle. The gift was a reward for Ikarius hospitality.
House of Theseus
The House consists of a hundred rooms all with mosaic floors.
The mosaics of the house of Theseus inspired from greek mythology presents the hero Theseus fighting the Minotaur . His left hand is grabbing the horn of the Minotaur. An old man who is the personification of the labyrinth is sitting on the ground. Ariadne and Crete greet the hero.
Mosaics of the House of Aion and the House of Orpheus
The mosaic depicts five scenes from mythology. The first scene Lida and the Swan.The second one, is the bath of Dionysus, the third presents a beauty contest between Cassiopeia and the Nereids (Goddesses of the sea) and the forth one portraits Apollo and Marsya. The last one shows Dionysus triumphal procession.
The concept of the mosaic is the magic of Orpheu’s music. In the middle Orpheus in rich clothes is sitting on a rock. Wild animals enchanted from his music surround him.
Roman Baths in Paphos
Roman baths were used by Roman Emperors.We can find them inKourion, Salamis and in Pafos.Roman baths were structures of grandeur, with a complex of marble-lined pools, fountains and hot and cold rooms. The first partof the baths consisted of two octagonal cold rooms (frigidaria). These are found near the swimming pools. Between the cold rooms was the central sweating room (sudatorium).
The baths had highly sophisticated hypocaust – underfloor heating – system.
The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates
The sanctuary is located 2.5km west of the ancient city of Kourium, which was one of the most important religious center in Cyprus and there the god Apollo was worshiped as Hylates, god of forests.
The Roman Temple of Apollo Hylates had two main architectural phases. The first was a single structure with a rectangular shape. .The foundation of the temple and the lower row of bricks decorated with a simple wave. The temple was rebuilt in the second half of the 1st century AD. To reach the new Roman temple was an impressive staircase. The interior of the architectural elements of an earlier temple, but the entire building was constructed on a higher level and had a podium corresponding to the lower row of bricks earlier temple. The tall pedestal is obviously a Roman element. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake in 364/365 AD.
In the floor of the temple we can see the art, which the priests used to decorate it as well as the art which was used to fasten the masterpieces onto stone pillars
The arena was the place where the priests as well as visitors could practice their martial skills.
These are the dormitories were the visitors used to live when an event took place.
This is the archaic circular altar where the priests used to sacrifice victims to the God.
House of Eustolios
The house of Eustolios is in a prime position at the southeastern edge of the hill of Kourion. This is monumental house dating at the end of the 4th century. Most interesting are the mosaics that cover the majority of the building.
The floors contain inscriptions of the owner of the house, EUSTOLIOS
It had 35 rooms which were used for services and as storage places. These rooms were located around two courtyards and a complex of spa.
Roman sculpture in Cyprus
In the Roman era large statues, replicas of Greek originals were made. A marble statue of Aphrodite armed with a sword was found at the Theseus palace.