Category Archives: Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy

Liberty Monument

Μνημείο ΠεσόντωνΕ (2)n Μνημείο ΠεσόντωνΕ (15)n

Artist: Nikolaos Kotziamanis 

Location: Agios Pavlos church, Agios Pavlos area, Nicosia. Nicosia district

Dimensions: 2.70 meters

Category: ΕΟΚΑ 1955-59, Turkish Invasion, Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The initiative for the memorial was taken in 1992 by the “Markos Drakos” association and initially it was dedicated to all dead and missing from Agios Pavlos and Agios Dometios areas. In 1996 a decision was taken for a liberty statue to complete the commemoration. Donators of the statue, among others, have been the Archbishopric of Cyprus, Agios Dometios Municipality, Agios Dometios Cooperative Savings Bank, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and Kykkos Monastery. The unveiling took place on May 2nd 1999. 

Goddess Athena stands motionless on her pedestal. A strong neck supports her head, and her facial traits (identical to those of Koili village bust, Pafos district) appear more masculine than feminine, despite her long hair and the female hidden curves emerging beneath the heavy long chiton. In spite of using the most well-known hallmark of the goddess Athena (her helmet) the statue is explicitly identified as Liberty. In addition to that, the placement of the laurel wreath on Athena’s helmet is not a familiar aesthetic formulation or visual symbolism for the goddess, but a direct way to highlight her subsequent association with heroic endeavor. An embossed letter K on her shield allows further connotations and associations. 

 The inscription on the low pedestal under her feet declares explicitly the devotion of the fighters to motherland: “Using our soul as a shield we safeguard the Greek soil, faithful to the oath for the motherland” (Με την ασπίδα της ψυχής μας εδώ φυλάγομε το ελληνικό μας χώμα πιστοί στον όρκο της πατρίδας). A saying of Odysseus Elytis on the right hand side of the pedestal elaborates the previous inscription “We believed in our steps. We experienced our steps. We called our steps worthy” (Πιστέψαμε στα βήματά μας / ζήσαμε τα βήματά μας / είπαμε τα βήματά μας άξια).

Selected sources:
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/14, documents October 27, 1995; March 20, 1996; November 20, 1996; November 25, 1996.
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/19, document March 31, 1999.

Keywords:

Monument to Goddess Athena

Θεά Αθηνά Παλλουριώτισσα (2)n Θεά Αθηνά Παλλουριώτισσα (3)n

Artist: Unknown

Location: Egeos Avenue, Pallouriotissa Lyceum, Nicosia. Nicosia district 

Material: Brass

Dimensions: 2.35 meters

Category: International relations, Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The statue is an exact copy of Efranoras’, student of Phidias, work of 340-330 B.C. The original Athena goddess of Efranoras is exhibited in Piraeus Archeological Museum, Athens. 

The statue was donated by the Municipality of Athens to the Municipality of Nicosia. The unveiling took place on October 7th 2002.

Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.12, documents May 30, 2002; July 1, 2002;  July 2, 2002; July 25, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.13, documents September 10, 2002; September 13, 2002; September 25, 2002.
~ Αρχείο Δήμου Λευκωσίας (Nicosia Municipality Archive), 06-7.14, document October 8, 2002.

Keywords:

Dionysos

Γλυπτό Θεός Διόνυσος(4)n

Artist: Unknown 

Location: Irini and Argyros Drousiotis street, Limassol. Limassol district

Material: Marble

Category: Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

No information is available for this sculpture, except that it was placed in 1910. It is probable that Limassol Municipality commissioned it.

Selected sources:
~ Savvidis Christakis, Περιδιαβάζοντας τη Λεμεσό (Strolling around Limassol). Limassol Municipality: 1991.

Keywords:

Cupid

Γλυπτό Έρωτα (3)n Γλυπτό Έρωτα (12)n

Artist: Unknown

Location: Anastasi Sikouri and Gladstone streets, Limassol, Limassol district

Material: Marble

Category: Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

No information is available for this sculpture. It is probable that Limassol Municipality commissioned it and was placed around 1910, along with Dionysus sculpture.

Selected sources:
~ Savvidis Christakis, Περιδιαβάζοντας τη Λεμεσό (Strolling around Limassol). Limassol Municipality: 1991.

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Alexander the Great (Μέγας Αλέξανδρος) statue

Μέγας Αλέξανδρος (11)n

Artist: Vasilis Kattos 

Location: Yiannos Kranidiotis Avenue, Latsia. Nicosia district. 

Category: Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The monument was constructed to commemorate Latsia and Kilkis (Greece) Municipalities twining. The unveiling took place on July 30th 1994.

Keywords:

General Kimon the Athenian (Κίμων ο Αθηναίος) bust

Κίμωνας ο Αθηναίος (3) n

Κίμωνας ο Αθηναίος n

Artist: Giorgos Alexandropoulos 

Location: On the Larnaka Finikoudes beach walk, Athinon Avenue. Larnaka district. 

Material: Pentelic marble 

Dimensions: 3.80 meter high

Category: Union (enosis), Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Kimon (510-449 B.C.) was a General and politician from Athens. In 450 B.C. he headed towards Cyprus with the aim to liberate it from the Persians and restore Athens’ sovereignty in Aegean Sea. He died during the siege of Kition but had ordered his co-fighters to keep his death secret, which they indeed managed, for a good thirty days. During that time the Athenians won the naval and infantry battle at Salamina, Cyprus, on their way back to Athens. 

In addition to the direct connection with Ancient Greek legacy, Kimon’s bust raises another implication, based on the short note on the pedestal. The phrase “Even dead he would win” («Και νεκρός ενίκα») reminds of the historical facts, but also calls upon bravery, heroic patterns and suggests (in many levels) the power both of symbols and the ancestral memory. 

The bust was commissioned by Kition community in 1923. The unveiling took place on April 27th 1927. The bust was replaced in the beginning of the 1990s and the new unveiling took place on October 25th 1994. 

 Selected sources:
~Αλήθεια (Alithia), September 27, 1994.
~Απογευματινή (Apogevmatini), January 26, 1994.
~Νέον Έθνος (Neon Ethnos), June 16, 1921, p. 2.
~Νέον  Έθνος (Neon Ethnos), December 1, 1923, p. 2.
~Πρωινά Νέα (Proina Nea), October 3, 1992. 
~Σημερινή (Simerini), October 6, 1992. 
~Φιλελεύθερος (Fileleftheros), March 17, 2002, p. 56, 57.

Keywords:

Zinon Kitiefs (Ζήνων ο Κιτιεύς) bust

Ζήνων Κιτιεύς (1) n

Ζήνων Κιτιεύς (3) n

Artist: Unknown 

Location: Grigoris Afxentiou Avenue, corner to Nikodimou Mylona St., Larnaka. Larnaka district. 

Material: Marble 

Dimensions: 2.80 meters

Category: Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy, Public sculpture before 1960 

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Zinon (334-262 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher born in Kition village outside Larnaka city. The bust was donated to Larnaka city by Zinonas D. Pieridis family and the unveiling took place on May 24th 1921. 

The bust was initially placed across from the American Academy. Due to the renovation of the area at the end of the 20th century, it was placed on a new pedestal and relocated close to the Municipality Garden. 

Selected sources:
~Νέος Κυπριακός Φύλαξ (Neos Cypriakos Fylax), December 12, 1934, p. 1. 

Keywords:

Apollonios from Kition (Απολλώνιος ο Κιτιεύς) bust

Προτομή Απολλώνιου (1) n

Προτομή Απολλώνιου (2) n

Artist: Kikis Patsalos 

Location: Grigoris Afxentiou Avenue (opposite “Evriviadio” high school), Larnaka. Larnaka district

Category: Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy 

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Apollonios was a Greek doctor, famous in his time, born in Kition, Cyprus, around 60 B.C. He is particularly well known for his writings on natural medicine from herbs. The bust was donated to Larnaka city by the Inner Wheel Group in May 2007.

Keywords:

Goddess Artemis the hunter

Θεά Άρτεμις (7) n Θεά Άρτεμις (8) n

Artist: Unknown 

Location: Artemidos Avenue, on the roundabout, Larnaka. Larnaka district. 

Material: Marble 

Dimensions: 157 cm (only the statue)

Category: Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The statue was made at Carrara, Italy, and was offered to the city of Larnaka by Iakovou Dimitriou family in 1963. It is an exact copy of the original Artemis complex that is part of the permanent collection of the Vienna Art History Museum. Artemis complex was found in Cyprus at the end of the 19th century, was secretly sold to a Cypriot collector in Paris and ended up in the Art History museum.

Selected sources:
~Μάχη (Mahi), June 16, 1963, p. 1. 

Keywords:

Zinon Kitiefs (Ζήνων ο Κιτιεύς) statue

Ζήνων Κιτιεύς (3)n

Ζήνων Κιτιεύς (10)n

Artist: Kikis Patsalos 

Location: Evropis (Europe) square, Athinon Avenue, Larnaka. Larnaka district. 

Material: Brass and Kivides stone 

Dimensions: 130 cm x 220 cm

Category: Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy 

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Zinon (334-262 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher born at Kition village outside Larnaka city. The statue is situated in a highlight location of the city, on the Finikoudes beach walk. It was commissioned by the Larnaka “Rotary” Club in 2006.

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Kallipatira (Καλλιπάτειρα) statue

Γλυπτό Καλλιπάτειρα (1) n

Γλυπτό Καλλιπάτειρα (11) n

Artist: Andreas Terentis 

Location: Faros location. Larnaka district. 

Category: Ancient Greek and Byzantine legacy

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Kallipatira was daughter, sister, wife and mother of Olympic Games winners in ancient Greece. She dared to dress like a man and enter the Olympic stadium during the Olympic Games, ignoring the strict prohibition of women. Although she was caught, she avoided the death penalty because of her family reputation and mainly because her act was interpreted as prompted by motherly love and pride. 

The statue is an exact copy of one of the figures of the Aradippou village (Larnaka district) memorial dedicated to the Cypriot mother, and the Mother of the dead and missing memorial at Vrisoules village (Ammochostos district). All three are made by the same sculptor.

The monument was commissioned by a private committee for Kallipatira monument and the unveiling took place on February 1st 2004. 

Selected sources:
~ Αρχείο Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Μνημείων Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (Advisory Monuments’ Committee) 14.3.01/7, document February 10, 2004. 

Keywords:

Kimon the Athenian bust

Προτομή Κίμωνα Αθηναίου (1)n Προτομή Κίμωνα Αθηναίου (5)n Προτομή Κίμωνα Αθηναίου (7)n

Artist: Constantinou Andreas Moditis 

Location: Polis Chrysochou Cultural Center 

Material: Stone

CategoryAncient Greek and Byzantine legacy 

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The bust was commissioned by the Polis Chrysochou Municipality and the unveiling took place on September 20th 2011. 

Keywords:

Tilemahos Kallonas (Τηλέμαχος Καλλονάς) bust

 Τηλέμαχος Καλλονάς (9)n Τηλέμαχος Καλλονάςn

Artist: Georgios Alexandropoulos

Location: Propylaea of Iakovio high school, Georgios Grivas Digenis Avenue,

Pafos Municipality. Pafos district. 

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 161 cm x 55 cm x 45 cm

Category: Public Figures, Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy, Public sculpture before 1960

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

The memorial was commissioned in 1940 by the ad hoc private committee for T. Kallonas bust with initiative of Loizos Filippou, and Lavrentios, the abbot of Agios Neofytos monastery. Kallonas was a renowned Cypriot educator. The unveiling took place in May 9th 1946. The Prolylaea were made by the sculptor Nikolaos Tsadiotis probably around 1931. 

Selected sources
Πάφος (Pafos), December 8, 1938, p. 3.
~ Πάφος (Pafos), March 14, 1940, p. 2.

Keywords:

Sleeping Eros

Κοιμώμενος Έρωτας (4)n Κοιμώμενος Έρωταςn

Artist: Nikolaos Tsadiotis

Place: Roundabout across Kostis Palamas square, Pafos Municipality. Pafos district.

Material: Marble

Category: Ancient Greek & Byzantine legacy 

Photography: Evangelia Matthopoulou

Nikolaos Tsadiotis was a builder and chiseler from Tsada village (Pafos district). “Sleeping Eros” is a copy of a small sculpture of Eros found at the “House of Theseus” at Pafos archeological site, dated in the 1st c. B.C. and currently exhibited at Pafos archeological museum. Tsadiotis’ copy was commissioned by Pafos Municipality during Christodoulos Galatopoulos office in the context of Pafos embellishment and the promotion of the city’s Hellenicness.

Selected sources:
~ Κρατικό Αρχείο Κύπρου, Αρχείο Πολιτιστικών Υπηρεσιών Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Πολιτισμού (State Archive of Cyprus): 268/1968/19, documents September 8, 1999; September 14, 1999.

Keywords: