Ancient Town Kition (Larnaca)

Kition, also known as Citium in antiquity, was an important city in Iron Age Cyprus. According to ancient traditions, referencing Menander of Ephesus, Hiram of Tyre led a campaign against the Itykaioi, who refused to pay tribute, and successfully subdued them. Later, Kition became a vassal state of Sidon. Around 730 BC, King Elulaios of Sidon subjugated the rebellious city of Kition. According to Assyrian annals, Sennacherib appointed a governor named Ittobaal in Kition. The patron deity of Kition was Resheph. King Pumjaton of Kition submitted to Alexander the Great but resumed minting his own coins after 322 BC. In 312 BC, he was assassinated on Ptolemy's orders for allying with Antigonus I Monophthalmos. From the Persian period onwards, the kings of Kition often also held the title of King of Idalion. Archaeological finds show Mycenaean influence in the oldest layers and later a strong Phoenician character, evident in burials and temple complexes, including the largest Phoenician temple ever found.

The ancient city of Kition is situated in Larnaca, within the Larnaca district, in the Republic of Cyprus on the island of Cyprus. The site is located at an elevation of approximately 14 meters above sea level.

Today, visitors can explore the remains of the ancient city of Kition and discover the history of this once powerful kingdom. The excavation site is located approximately 500 meters from the archaeological museum.

• Ancient City of Kition (Larnaca) (Ancient Structures), approx. 0.4 km away
• Larnaca Fort (Κάστρο Λάρνακας) (Fortress), approx. 1.2 km away
• Ancient City of Idalium (Ιδάλιον) (Ancient Structures), approx. 21.9 km away
• Ancient City of Chirokitia (Ancient Structures), approx. 29.8 km away