Kition

Kition, known in antiquity as Citium, was an important ancient city-kingdom located on the southern coast of Cyprus, at the site of modern-day Larnaca. It developed as a major urban center in the Iron Age and became one of the principal Cypriot city-states with strong Phoenician connections.

Archaeological evidence shows that Kition engaged in long-distance trade with Phoenicia, Egypt, and the Aegean world, and the city produced inscriptions in Phoenician and Greek, indicating cultural exchange and bilingual networks. The site includes city walls, streets, public buildings, and a substantial necropolis. Early Phoenician influence is visible in religious practices and material culture, alongside a local Cypriot tradition.

Zeno of Citium, the philosopher who founded Stoicism, was said to be born in Citium in the 4th century BCE, a detail attested by later sources and tied to the city’s enduring historical memory.

Historically, Kition appears under Persian suzerainty, before the conquests of Alexander the Great and its incorporation into Hellenistic spheres that followed, ultimately becoming part of Roman Cyprus. The city declined in late antiquity, though the site remained inhabited for some time, leaving a record of urban layout and ritual spaces.

Today, the Kition Archaeological Site lies near the modern city of Larnaca and is protected as part of Cyprus’s cultural heritage. Excavations by the Department of Antiquities and international researchers have revealed the urban plan, harbor facilities, and the necropolis, contributing to the understanding of Phoenician–Cypriot interactions in the eastern Mediterranean.