Ancient Town Kition (Larnaca)

Kition was an Iron Age kingdom on Cyprus, with its capital situated in the northern part of present-day Larnaca. According to Flavius Josephus, referencing Menander of Ephesus, Hiram of Tyre led a campaign against the Itykaeans in the early 8th century BC, who had refused to pay tribute. Some researchers identify these Itykaeans with Kition. Later, Kition was a vassal state of Sidon; around 730 BC, King Elulaios of Sidon subjugated the rebellious city of Kition. Sennacherib later appointed Ittobaal as governor. The patron deity of Kition was Resheph. King Pumjaton of Kition submitted to Alexander the Great but was assassinated in 312 BC on the orders of Ptolemy, having allied himself with Antigonus I Monophthalmos. From the Persian period onwards, the kings of Kition also held the title of King of Idalion. Archaeological findings show Mycenaean influence in the oldest layers, including cyclopean city walls. Later, Phoenician influences shaped the city, evident in burials and temples, including the largest Phoenician temple ever found, measuring 27 x 9 meters.

The ancient city of Kition is located in Larnaca, in the Larnaca district, in the Republic of Cyprus on the island of Cyprus. The remains lie at an elevation of approximately 7 m above sea level.

The ancient city of Kition is today an accessible archaeological site that can be visited. Visitors can explore the remains of the once powerful city and gain an impression of its historical significance.

• Ancient City of Kition (Larnaca) (Ancient Structures), approx. 0.4 km away
• Larnaca Fort (Κάστρο Λάρνακας) (Fortress), approx. 1.6 km away
• Ancient City of Idalium (Ιδάλιον) (Ancient Structures), approx. 21.6 km away
• Ancient City of Chirokitia (Ancient Structures), approx. 29.8 km away