Salamis

(Cyprus). A principal city of prehistoric and classical Cyprus, situated on the east coast of the island six km from Famagusta. There is a large area of surviving ruins, and an extensive necropolis to the west. The Mycenaean settlement was probably at Enkomi, a short distance inland. Salamis survived into the Roman period, with its characteristic priest-kings, the Teukridae, still possibly in titular control up to the time of Augustus. Under the early Empire there was a large Jewish population. The town was finally abandoned after the Arab raids of 647 ad. Most remarkable are the so-called ‘Royal Tombs’. These date perhaps from the Late Geometric period, and feature large dromoi (see dromos). The burial chambers are constructed of large rectangular blocks and have gable roofs, but were generally robbed in antiquity. There is an association with horse-and-chariot funerary rites, and horse skeletons still complete with bit in mouth have been discovered. There are also bronze horse accoutrements, and cauldron and tripod, and ivory furniture. One tombs shows evidence for an original upper beehive structure or tholos. Other tombs are rock-cut, and show evidence for rites involving pyres and clay figurines.

(Greece). An island which straddles and encloses the bay of Eleusis to the west of Athens. The modern town of Salamis is situated on the western side of the island dominating the Bay of Koulouri. However, the ancient town of Salamis is probably to be located on the eastern side, in the region of the promonotory between Kamatero and Ambelaki Bay. Nothing now survives that can be identified with certainty. The straits formed here between the island and the mainland were the scene for the famous Battle of Salamis (480 bc) in which the invading forces of Xerxes and the Persians were beaten off.