Guide to the Paphos Mosaics

Nicosia: Politistiko Hidryma Trapezes Kyprou , 1988. Brand new. In english. Soft cover, 17 cm, 74 pp., ill.: 51 colour & black-and-white images. Nea Paphos was founded at the end of the fourth century bc by the last king of Palaipaphos, Nicocles. When Cyprus came under the Ptolemies the city emerged as an important administrative and economic centre. After the annexation of the island by the Romans, in 58 bc, Nea Paphos remained its capital until the fourth century ad, when the Romans traansferred the seat of their administration to Salamis. Remains from the Roman period include luxurious villas with superb mosaic floors, the most beautiful mosaics found on the island. After a brief history of Nea Paphos from the end of the fourth century to the Ottoman period, the guide provides detailed descriptions of the House of Dionysus, the House of Orpheus, the Villa of Theseus and the House of Aion. Also included are an analysis of the mosaics and a brief account of the excavations conducted on the site. The edition is supplemented by an updated bibliography and amply illustrated with full-colour reproductions of the mosaics. Available in Greek, English, French and German.