The port of the Kingdom of Lapethos

Topography

The ruins of the town of Lapethos extend over the area of the beach, at the north side of the village Karavas, at the site of Lambousa, at the western part of the north coast of Cyprus. To a large extent the city walls are visible especially from the hill, named Troullin, which most likely compromised the acropolis. The surrounding territory consists of a fertile plain, which was until 1974 covered with citrous trees, and watered by the two springs of Lapethos and Karavas. This rich rural region, combined with its proximity to the Anatolian coast, was the incentive for the foundation of a large kingdom with a harbour facility at this site, which, according to researchers, dominated the neighbouring kingdom of Kyrenia.

A coastal city was already established in the Late Bronze Age. In the surrounding region settlements dating from the Neolithic, and the Early and Late Bronze Age are evident, however settlelments of the Geometric period are concentrated further south towards the Pendadaktilos mountain, in the area of present day Lapethos and Karavas. This site on the coast (Lambousa) cannot be dated ealier than the Late Bronze Age. The city seems to flourish mainly from the Archaic until the Roman period. The coins minted in the city date back to as early as the 4^th and 5^th Century BC and include the names of the Kings. In the mid 4^th Century coins depicting Athena and certain Phoenecian elements appear, indicating the transfer of power to Phoenecian Kings, and reflecting the attempts by the Persian Empire to consolidate a Phoenecian client state on Cyprus. In 312 BC Ptolemy suspected that King Praxippos of Lapethos was cooperating with Antigonos. During the Roman period the city compromised one of the four provincial centers of Cyprus, and during the early Byzantine period it was an Episcopal seat. The city was finally abandoned after the Arab raids and moved northward.

Ancient Written Sources

Strabo attributes the founding of the city to Praxandros and the Laconians who "shaped" the coast in a way suitable for accepting ships. This represents the only reference concerning the construction of maritime facilities on Cyprus during the colonisation by the heroes of the Trojan War.

Pseudo-Skyllax mentions this site when commenting on the cities with abandoned harbours, "…Karpasia, Kyrenia, Lapethos of Phoenicians, Soloi (this also has a winter harbour), Marion Greek, Amathus (they are autochthonous). All of them have deserted harbours…". In this instance it is unclear whether he is referring to his own time (4^th century BC), or if the information was borrowed from the first Skyllax from Karyanda or other previous authors. Strabo as also mentions Lapethos "…In the interval is the city Lapathus, with a mooring-place and dockyards…" Pliny and Ptolemy also mention the city however no mention of the port is made. Finally, in late antiquity Stadiasmos reports the city with a harbour for small ships, suffering from north wind (…πόλις ἐστὶν^. ἔχει λιμένα μικροῖς πλοίοις^. χειμάζει βορέου…).

Research History

John Myers and Menelaos Markidis made excavations in the area at the beginning of the century. Between 1957-1959 Nicolaou made surveys in the region and found traces on the coast of buildings which he believe to be fishtanks. The publication of these fishtanks also included a report that sections of the ancient harbour were still visible. In 1971 Raban and Linder also undertook surveys in the area.

Moles

The harbour consists of two breakwaters, which form an enteance to the facility approximately 100m to the west, and have survived to a great extent. The northernmost mole (and hence the winward) survives to length of 155m with a width of 10m, with a SW-NE orientation. The two ends of the mole are curved, with the result that the westernmost curve effectively ‘covers’ the second mole, and thus protects the interior of the harbour from westerly winds. It is possible that the mole was placed on a natural ridge that projected from the beach into the sea. According to Raban two phases of construction are evident on the mole. The first phase compromises well constucted stonework in the Phoenecian style, whilst the second phase of stone blocks up to 1.5m large which most likely placed by Roman engineers.

The second mole projects perpendicularly from the shore in relation to the first, and is orientated NW-SE. The mole has a length of 40m. According to Nicolaou both moles were re-enforced between 1957-1959 to create a modern fishing haven.

Quays

According to Raban a quay measuring 3.5m was situated on the southern inside face of the west mole, vertical to it. The quay was covered with cement too.

Basins

Raban also suggests the existance of a second harbour basin next to the east wall of the city, and to the north of the Troullin hill, where there now exists a marshy site (1971). To the north of this site the surveyors recovered encrusted sherds of Cyprio-Phoenecian amphoras.

Chronology

In conclusion it may be seen that during the 5^th century BC, in which the first coins are minted, the Phoenecian kings constructed the harbour of Lapethos, which was intricately tied to the power and prestige that it afforded the kingdom. With the advantage the harbour had of not being located near a river, it remained unaffected by the problems of silting, evident in so many other harbours. This advantage allowed it to be utilised even today. Supplementary construction was undertaken during the Roman period, and in 1957, however the origional plan of the harbour has not been altered since it also affords protection from all wind directions.

Bibliography

Author

Θεοδούλου Θ. / Theodoulou, Th.