Marium
Marium, later known as Arsinoe, is an ancient city located on the northwestern shore of Cyprus, specifically on two plateaus overlooking Chrysochos Bay. Evidence suggests that a settlement existed there as early as the Bronze Age and continued through the Iron Age. The city initially issued coins during the Persian control of Cyprus, with notable local monarchs like King Sasmaus and Stasioecus I contributing to its economic standing, primarily due to the wealth generated from nearby copper mines and active trade with Athens.
After a period of turmoil following Alexander the Great's death, the city was destroyed by Ptolemy I but was rebuilt around 270 BC by Ptolemy II in honor of his wife Arsinoe. The newly established Arsinoe thrived during the Hellenistic and Roman periods and eventually became a significant Christian bishopric. Archaeological findings have revealed early Iron Age cemeteries, along with Hellenistic and Graeco-Roman tombs, indicating the city's long history of occupation and cultural exchange. The ruins of Marium/Arsinoe are a testament to its rich heritage and historical significance in the region.
Marium
Marion, later Arsinoe (Polis tes Chrysochou)
A city three miles from the northwestern shore of Cyprus, situated on two low plateaus dominating a small coastal plain and Chrysochos Bay. A settlement already existed during the Bronze Age and at the beginning of the Iron Age (early first millennium BC).
Coins were issued by King Sasmaus the son of Doxandrus between 575 and 550, when Cyprus was under Persian control. After the Athenian Cimon had liberated Marium shortly before his death (450/449), two other local monarchs, Stasioecus I and Timocharis, struck further coinage. These issues display the names of the kings and the place-name `Marieus’, using the Greek language but employing a syllabic script which may be akin to the ancient Linear B and Linear A writings of Bronze Age Crete. At about the same period the Circumnavigation (Periplus) of Pseudo-Scylax describes the city as `Hellenic.’ It derived its wealth (exemplified by finds of rich jewelry in tombs) from copper mines at Limne, and conducted an active commerce with Athens, exemplified by large quantities of Attic pottery; these exports and imports passed through a harbor (west of the modern town) which was protected by a massive breakwater. After the death of Alexander the Great, Stasioecus II, the last king of Marium, sided with Antigonus I Monophthalmos against Ptolemy I Soter of Egypt, who razed the place to the ground and transferred its inhabitants to Paphos. However, Ptolemy II Philadelphus rebuilt it c 270 under the name of his wife, Arsinoe, who was also his sister. This new city flourished in the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and in early Christian times became the seat of a bishop.
The earliest town of Marium was founded on the more easterly of the two plateaus (Peristeries east of Polis tes Chrysochou), where cemeteries of early Iron Age date have been uncovered. During the Persian period the habitation area spread to the western eminence (Petrerades, north of Polis), which also became the location of Arsinoe. The local gymnasium, mentioned in an inscription, has not yet come to light. But a sanctuary—tentatively ascribed to Zeus and Aphrodite, whose heads appeared on the coins of Stasioecus II—can be identified on a small ridge between the two hills. Hellenistic and Graeco-Roman cemeteries have been found to the south of Polis.