16.37mm 2.70g 362-312 BCE
Obverse: Lion walking left, ram head above
Reverse: Horse standing left, star above, symbol before
BMC 69
Kition was a powerful city in Cyprus that was already a thousand years old when it came under the dominion of Alexander the Great. Before then it was ruled by the Persians, who still allowed a local king. As with several other cities in Cyprus, they revolted against the Persians several times. During Alexander’s time, the city rivaled Salamis in power.
After Alexander the Great’s death, King Pumiathon attempted to cozy up to Antigonos I Monophthalmos. Taking sides in the conflict proved deadly, as Ptolemy I ordered his brother Menelaos to Cyprus and Pumiathon was killed and the ancient Cypriot kingdoms abolished.
The ruins of the city are still visible today. Perhaps the chief attraction is the Temple of Aphrodite, which was built by the same people who made the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.