Article · 2005
Siegecraft and spoliation, c. 500 BC: A tale of two cities
G. R. H. Wright and D. White
Libyan Studies 36 21-42
An article comparing the Persian siege of Old Paphos in 498 BCE with the Persian campaign at Cyrene c. 520–515 BCE, through Herodotus and the siege mound and buried votive material.
Wright and White set Herodotus's accounts of the two campaigns beside the finds: the excavated siege mound at Old Paphos and an assemblage buried in a quarry pit at Cyrene. They date the Cyrene episode to c. 520–515 BC and the Paphos siege to 498 BC, place the Cyrene sculptures around 560–550 BC and the construction of the Paphos mound at c. 500 BC. Background sections cover the geography and history of Cyrenaica and of Cyprus in 498 BC, including Salamis, Soloi, Amathus and Kourion.
At Old Paphos, Site A exposed a city gate, tower, fosse, mound and defenders' tunnels, with broken limestone sculpture and votive material in the rubble. The authors conclude that the gate was forced and the city taken by assault, though what the defenders' undermining achieved is unknown (pp. 25–27).
They argue that the mound was a broad fighting platform for several siege operations, and that its rubble also came from the destruction of a rural sanctuary. The Cyrene quarry pit, cleared under Goodchild's organisation, held marble figures, a sphinx column, bronze plaques, lead clamps and building fragments (pp. 31–35).
Wright and White ask whether damage to a sanctuary near Cyrene might likewise relate to the Persian presence, while stressing that the location and circumstances of that damage remain uncertain. A comparative section sets the remains beside excavated siege works at Lachish and Old Smyrna under military, religious and art-historical heads (pp. 36–40).
What it records
- Excavation at Old Paphos Site A dated the construction of the siege mound to c. 500 BC.p. 25
- The Old Paphos siege mound covered about 45 by 45 m and stood c. 5 m above ground level.p. 26
- Four tunnels were driven from inside Old Paphos beneath the siege mound.p. 27
- The quarry pit excavated at Cyrene measured about 16 m east to west and 12 m north to south.p. 32
- The Cyrene quarry pit contained two headless marble korai and a marble Ionic columnar sphinx dedication.p. 32
- The contents of the Cyrene pit came from an Archaic shrine or sanctuary, Wright and White conclude.p. 35
Where to read
- Old Paphos siege mound, defences and assaultpp. 25–27
- Cyrene quarry pit and buried votive objectspp. 31–35
- Comparison of Persian siege works and sanctuary destructionpp. 36–40
Contents
- Abstract21
- Geographical and historical background21
- Cyrenaica c. 520–15 BC22
- Cyprus 498 BC23
- The Persian siege of Old Paphos, 498 BC24
- The Persian force at Cyrene, c. 520–515 BC31
- Comparative discussion36
- Military History36
- Religious History39
- Art History39
- Resumé41
- References42
Objects published here
3- Head of Priest-King of Old Paphos, Rural Sanctuary, in the siege mound at Old Paphos, 9 (p. 29)
- Archaic Kore I, Favissa in ancient quarry at Cyrene, 16 (p. 40)
- Archaic Kouros, Favissa in ancient quarry at Cyrene, 17 (p. 40)
People, places and institutions
People
- Herodotussource for both campaign narratives
- PheretimaBattiad queen who sought Persian aid
- Aryandessatrap who dispatched the Persian force
- OnesilusKing of Salamis and revolt leader
- F. G. Maierdirected resumed Kouklia excavations
- R. Goodchildorganised clearance of the Cyrene quarry pit
- Veronica Wilsonsummarised the Paphos sanctuary finds
Places
- Old Paphossite of the Persian siege mound
- Cyrenesite of the buried votive assemblage
- Salamiscentre of the Cypriote uprising
- Soloiheld out against Persian siege
- Lykaian HillPersian camp outside Cyrene
Also named: Amathus, Kourion, Gorgus, Stasinor, Terence Mitford, Harry Iliffe, St. Andrews University, Liverpool Museum.
Extent pp. 21–42, figs 1–17, with maps (figs 1–4) and plans (figs 5, 12–13); bibliography
Defines Cypriote Rural Sanctuary
Cypro-ArchaicArchitectureSculptureReligion and CultWarfareHistory of Archaeology