Salamis Ancient City

Salamis was the most important city-state of ancient Cyprus, traditionally founded around 1100 BC by Teucer, son of Telamon, after the Trojan War. Located on the east coast near modern Famagusta, it served as the island's capital and major port. The site's ruins include a gymnasium with colonnaded palaestra and swimming pools, and a 15,000-seat Roman amphitheatre built under Augustus, undiscovered until 1959. Devastating earthquakes in 76 AD and the 4th century prompted rebuilding under Emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Rebuilt as Constantia by Constantius II, the city was ultimately abandoned during the Arab invasions of 647 AD.