AE 16 4.32g.
c. 330-312 BCE
Ex Harlan J Berk
Marion was one of the ten kingdoms of Cyprus and, like the rest of them, was an ancient city. According to mythology, Marion was founded by Akamas, who was the son of the great Theseus. In truth, Marion was likely a city well before the Trojan War. A 12th century BCE inscription from Egypt that mentions the city proves it.
There is archeological evidence that Marion was founded by Mycenaeans somewhere between 1400-1100 BCE. The city flourished due to wealth from gold and copper mines nearby.
Unfortunately for Marion, they chose the wrong side in the dispute between Antigonos I Monophthalmos and Ptolemy I for Cyprus and in 312 BCE Ptolemy destroyed Marion and moved the remaining inhabitants to Paphos.
In 270 BCE, Ptolemy II Philadelphos rebuilt Marion and named it for his wife, Arsinoe II.
Kimon of Athens frees Marion from the Persians.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos founds a new city named Arsinoe, named for his wife Arsinoe II, on the ruins of Marion.