Travel

Wandering Along the Colonnade of the Gymnasium of Salamis, Cyprus

Once a thriving port city on the island of Cyprus, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, Salamis offers a tantalizing glimpse into the vast history of the island. The ruins of the ancient city occupy an extensive area (one square mile) extending along the sea shore against the backdrop of sand dunes and a forest of acacias.

According to ancient Greek tradition, Salamis was founded after the Trojan War by the archer Teukros, son of King Telamon, who came from the island of Salamis. Half-brother to the hero Ajax, Teukros was unable to return home from the war after failing to prevent his half-brother’ suicide, leading him to flee to Cyprus where he founded Salamis. After its legendary beginnings, Salamis later became one of the most important cities on the island and the seat of a powerful kingdom. Archaeologists believe that Salamis was first established by newcomers from the nearby site of Enkomi following the earthquake of 1075 BC. The city was subsequently controlled by the Persians until the arrival of Alexander the Great into Asia Minor. Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC Salamis came under the control of the Ptolemaic dynasty until its incorporation into the Roman Empire in 58 BC. The importance of the city is reflected in archaeological findings dating back to the Late Geometric periods (8th century BC) to Byzantine times (6th century AD).

Salamis was affected by destructive earthquakes. The earthquake of 76-77 AD was among the most destructive, with a magnitude between 9 and 10. Salamis took the brunt of this earthquake, and fell into ruin. The Jewish insurrection of Artemion in 116 AD further devastated the city. Salamis was rebuilt by the emperors Trajan and Hadrian who embellished it with lavish public buildings.

Map of Salamis

Map of Salamis.

The site has been excavated intermittently from the 1880’s until 1974 and large areas have been opened up. The most impressive monuments of the city date to the Roman period, such as the Theatre (see images here), the Temple of Zeus (Teukros established the cult of Zeus Salaminios at Salamis), the Baths. But the ancient town’s most striking feature is the gymnasium where the young citizens would exercise their bodies and minds. Its remains, with colonnaded courtyard and adjacent pools, allude to Salamis’ glory days.

The Ruins of Salamis

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, built over the ruins of an ealier Hellenistic gymnasium in the 2nd century AD during Trajan and Hadrian's reign after Salamis had been greatly damaged in 116 AD during Jewish revolt, Salamis

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, built over the ruins of an ealier Hellenistic gymnasium in the 2nd century AD during Trajan and Hadrian’s reign after Salamis had been greatly damaged in 116 AD during Jewish revolt, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

The vast exercise ground was discovered in 1882 and finally excavated in 1952 when the marble columns were re-erected. The Gymnasium was originally laid down during the Hellenistic period, as testified by epigraphic and archaeological evidence, but it was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt during the reign of Augustus. The Gymnasium was destroyed once again under the reign of Vespasian following the earthquake of 76 AD. It was restored by Trajan and Hadrian after the Jewish insurrection of 116 AD with a roofed colonnade along all four sides and bathing facilities. An inscription embedded in the pavement dating from the Early Christian period refers to the construction by Trajan of the roof of a swimming pool of the Gymnasium. Hadrian also contributed to the embellishment of the building, and several honorific decrees have been found which mention him as a “benefactor and saviour of the city”.

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

In the 4th century AD two more earthquakes struck the area. The building was partly restored by the Byzantine emperor Constantius II who remained the city Constantia. The marble columns crowned by Corinthian capitals of various types were taken from the stage building of the nearby theatre as well as other buildings. They replaced the stone pillars of the Roman gymnasium. This explains the mismatching of some of the columns and bases and why they differ in size. The visible remains date from these two late restorations.

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, built over the ruins of an ealier Hellenistic gymnasium in the 2nd century AD during Trajan and Hadrian's reign after Salamis had been greatly damaged in 116 AD during Jewish revolt, Salamis

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

During the Hellenistic period, the palaestra had a small circular pool in its centre while during the reign of Augustus a statue of the Emperor stood there.

The centre of the Gymnasium's palaestra with the marble column, Salamis

The centre of the Gymnasium’s palaestra where a statue of Augustus was erected, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Two marble pools occupied the two ends of the eastern colonnade of  the Gymnasium. The pools originally had a small roofed portico and were surrounded by nude statues of the gymnasiarchs but these were later smashed by Christians. They have now been replaced by a collection of headless statues found at the site. They were probably defaced by Christians zealots who considered them as symbols of pagan idolatry.

Marble pool at NE corner of the Gymnasium's portico surrounded by headless statues dating back to the 2nd century AD (Trajanic/Hadrianic), Salamis

Marble pool at NE corner of the Gymnasium’s portico surrounded by headless statues dating back to the 2nd century AD (Trajanic/Hadrianic), Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Marble pool at NE corner of the Gymnasium's portico surrounded by headless statues dating back to the 2nd century AD (Trajanic/Hadrianic), Salamis

Marble pool at NE corner of the Gymnasium’s portico surrounded by headless statues dating back to the 2nd century AD (Trajanic/Hadrianic), Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Statue of a female figure in grey marble, its face, hands and feet were white marble insets and are now missing, this type is usually identified with Persephone, Salamis

Statue of a female figure in grey marble, its face, hands and feet were white marble insets and are now missing, this type is usually identified with Persephone, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Marble pool at SE corner of the Gymnasium's portico dating back to the 2nd century AD (Trajanic/Hadrianic), Salamis

Marble pool at SE corner of the Gymnasium’s portico dating back to the 2nd century AD (Trajanic/Hadrianic), Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

At the south-west corner of the palaestra lie the gymnasium’s latrines, a semicircular colonnaded structure in which there was seating was 44 people. They are the largest ever found in Cyprus.

The gymasium's latrines, a semicircular structure with a roof supported on columns and a capacity of 44, Salamis

The gymnasium’s latrines, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Salamis Statues in the Cyprus Museum

During excavations, several marble statues were discovered which adorned the spacious stoas of the Gymnasium. Many that had survived numerous raids have disappeared since 1974. Fortunately, some made it to Nicosias’ Cyprus Museum and are now prized exhibits.

Sculptures from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia, Cyprus

Sculptures from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Statue of Hygeia, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum

Statue of Hygeia, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Statue of Asklepios, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum

Statue of Asklepios, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Statue of Aphrodite, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia, Cyprus. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Statue of Aphrodite, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia, Cyprus. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Statue of Nemesis with a griffin at her feet, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia, Cyprus

Statue of Nemesis with a griffin at her feet, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia, Cyprus. Photo © Carole Raddato.

The statues date from the Hadrianic period and are all of remarkably good quality. Sadly, few statues were found with their heads on and among these are two over life-size statue of Hera and of Apollo Citharoedus (the lyre-player).

Over life-size statue of Apollo Citharoedus (the lyre-player), from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum

Over life-size statue of Apollo Citharoedus (the lyre-player), from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Over life-size statue of Hera, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum

Over life-size statue of Hera, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Some of the statues, such as those of Asklepios and Nemesis, were re-used, while others that were reminiscent of the ancient pagan worship, such as Isis, Zeus, Apollo and Aphrodite were used as building material or were thrown into pits and water tanks of the Baths of the Gymnasium.

Marble statue of Meleager, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum

Marble statue of Meleager, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Upper part of a statue of Hercules, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum

Upper part of a statue of Hercules, from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Sculptures from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia

Sculptures from the Gymnasium of Salamis, 2nd century AD, Cyprus Museum, Nicosia. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Salamis was destroyed by repeated earthquakes in the middle of the 4th century AD, but was quickly rebuilt as a Christian city by the Byzantine emperor Constantius II who renamed the city Constantia. Salamis was finally abandoned during the Arab invasions of the 7th century after its destruction by Muawiyah I. The inhabitants moved to Arsinoë (modern-day Famagusta).

For anyone interested in ancient history, Salamis is a treasure-trove of ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains where visitors can explore crumbling basilicas, royal tombs and wander along classical colonnades.

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis

The Gymnasium with its columned palaestra, Salamis. Photo © Carole Raddato.

Sources and references:

  • Vassos Karageorghis, Salamis in Cyprus, Homeric, Hellenistic and Roman (1969)
  • Mitford & Nicolaou, The Greek and Latin Inscriptions from Salamis (1974)
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Carole Raddato's favourite hobby is travelling and for the last 8 years she has taken a huge interest in the history of the ancient world. She has dedicated all her free time to this passion. She loves to share with other history fans all the incredible facts and stories that she discovers throughout her journeys. She is neither a professional photographer nor an ancient history scholar, but she hopes that everybody can enjoy her photos. She is particularly interested in everything related to the emperor Hadrian whom she finds fascinating. He was himself an incessant traveller, visiting every province in the Empire during his reign. When Carole is looking for new ideas for her travels, she usually takes inspiration from his journeys and it is a great motivation for her to follow him in his footsteps.