The ancient city where a goddess rose from the Mediterranean waves
Long before it became a modern tourist hub, Paphos was a sacred epicenter of the ancient world. From the birth of Aphrodite to the arrival of Saint Paul, this coastal landscape holds the layers of a civilization that survived earthquakes, empires, and the shifting tides of history.
Paphost's identity is inseparable from the goddess Aphrodite. According to legend, she rose from the sea at the nearby rock, Petra tou Romiou. While many associate her worship with Greek myth, archaeology suggests a more complex origin. Evidence of female figurines and charms dating to the early third millennium indicates that a fertility cult, blending Aegean and eastern mainland elements, was well-established before the arrival of mainland Greeks. Some historians, including Pausanias, suggest her worship may have even been of Phoenician origin.
The city’s history is split between two ancient locations: Old Paphos (Palaepaphos) and Nea Paphos. Old Paphos, now known as Kouklia, served as a vital center for the cult of Aphrodite and was a prominent city-kingdom. Nea Paphos was likely founded by King Nicocles around 306 BC. These sites were not merely religious hubs but also political centers, featuring a senate, an assembly, and an oracle. The region's importance was recognized globally, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
However, the city's history is also marked by seismic instability. Paphos is the most seismically active region in Cyprus. Historical records document several devastating earthquakes, including a massive event in 76 AD and a powerful 7.0–7.5 magnitude quake in 1222. These natural disasters, alongside the Roman Emperor Theodosius I's 391 AD outlawing of pagan religions, eventually led to the decline of the ancient sanctuaries. Despite this, the area remains a rich archaeological treasure, boasting elaborate Roman villas with preserved mosaics and the famous Tombs of the Kings.
Source: Paphos
