CYPRUS: The Romans Were Everywhere

The Romans ruled Cyprus from 58 BCE to around 330 CE.

While in Cyprus they built roads, harbors, theaters, baths, aqueducts, temples and villas.

In 1962 a farmer ploughing his field in Paphos accidentally unearthed Roman ruins, specifically, the remaining floor mosaics of opulent villas.

These mosaics are considered amongst the finest in the world. They are vibrant records of the everyday life of the Romans as well as the mythological legends of gods, goddesses and heroes. 

The Archaeological Park of Kato in Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The excavated areas in the archeological park are the villas of four Roman noblemen and their descendants that date from the 2nd to the 5th centuries AD. 

 

The 4 mansions are spread throughout the park, which would have been the ancient city.

Floor mosaics were considered showpieces in the homes of the elite in antiquity. These homes were HUGE with intricate mosaics covering their floors! 

 

Their detailed floor mosaics depict various scenes from Greek Mythology. 

 

 

The mansions are named after the recurring theme found in the mosaics inside the home: the House of Dionysus, the House of Theseus, the House of Aion and the House of Orpheus. 

 

 

These villas in Paphos have some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the world.  

These mosaics depict the 4 seasons.

 

The House of Theseus is named after its mosaic of the Ancient Greek hero brandishing a club against the Minotaur. 

Another mosaic depicts Poseidon, Amphitrite and Achilles´ first bath.

The House of Aion has five panels of Greek mythology focusing on Aion.

 

 

 

I did a quick google search and this is what I found about Aion "In addition to his role as the god of eternity, Aion is also closely connected to the Zodiac and to the constellations." (Still Greek to me!)

 

 

What absolutely astounds me is the intricate details made out of the small tiles. I can't imagine the patience, let alone the eyesight, required to make these mosaic murals on the floor.  

 

 

The colours and details are still so vivid.

It also astounds me that the floors had people walking over them for several hundred years, and then they were buried for about another 1,500 years. 

It will be interesting to see what will remain of our society in 1,500 years.