Wall Paintings in Ancient Cyprus: The Hellenistic and Roman Tombs of Paphos and Its Region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/EtudTrav.34.010Keywords
Hellenistic period, Roman period, wall paintings, tombs, Nea Paphos, CyprusAbstract
This paper presents the wall paintings decorating a number of Hellenistic and Roman tombs, of various architectural types, in Paphos and the region. The paper gathers together for the first time all the known published and unpublished painted tombs of the city, which are studied on the basis of observations made on the actual decoration preserved either in situ or in the laboratory of the Paphos District Museum, and with the use of all pertinent publications. A catalogue of these tombs has been created and this is accompanied by a map with the geographic location of each example. The various themes represented on wall paintings have been divided into groups and are discussed accordingly, while the manufacturing technology of a sample of the wall paintings is examined using both non-contact and analytical tools.
References
Alabe, F. 2002: Décors peints au plafond dans des maisons hellénistiques à Délos, BCH 126/1, 231–263
Anastasiadou, T. 2000: The rock-cut tombs at Agios Georgios tis Pegeias, RDAC 2000, 333–347
Charalampous, E., Charalampous, A.Ch., Pavlidou, E., Stratis, I. 2009: I chrisi tou koniamatos sta ypostromata ton epidapedion psiphidoton tis Kyprou, RDAC 2009, 549–604
Cuní, J. 2016: What do we know of Roman wall painting technique? Potential confounding factors in ancient paint media analysis, Heritage Science 4/44, 1–13
Di Vita, A. 1986–1987: Atti della Scuola 1986–1987, ASAA LXIV–LXV, 435–534
Ginouvès, R., Akamatis, I., Andronicos, M., Despinis, A., Drougou, S., Guimier-Sorbets, A.-M., Hatzopoulos, M., Kahil, L., Karamitrou-Mendessidi, G., Lazaridou, K.D., Pandermalis, D., Picard, O., Sakellariou, M. 1993: La Macédoine de Philippe II à la conquête romaine, Paris
Guimier-Sorbets, A.-M. 2009: L’iconographie des mosaïques hellénistiques de Chypre, CCEC 39, 141–152
Guimier-Sorbets, A.-M., Michaelides, D. 2009: Alexandrian Influences on the Architecture and Decoration of the Hellenistic Tombs of Cyprus, [in:] Michaelides, D., Kassianidou, V., Merrillees, R.S. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Conference Egypt and Cyprus in Antiquity, Nicosia, 3–6 April 2003, Oxford, 216–233
Hadjisavva, M. 1982: A Coloured Guide to the Tombs of the Kings, Nicosia
Hadjisavvas, S. 1982: A Unique Roman Built Tomb in Paphos, RDAC 1982, 202–206
Hadjisavvas, S. 1985: Excavations at the ‘Tombs of the Kings’ – Kato Paphos, [in:] Karageorghis, V. (Ed.), Archaeology in Cyprus 1960–1985, Nicosia, 262–268
Hadjisavvas, S. 1988: Makedonikes epidraseis stin taphiki architektoniki tis Paphou, [in:] Ninou, A., Kypraiou, E. (Eds), Praktika tou XII Diethnous Synedriou Klasikis Archaiologias [Athina 4–10 Septemvriou 1983], tomos D’, Athina, 237–238
Hadjisavvas, S. 1998: Makedonia-Kypros. Apo ton Alexandro os ti Romaiki kataktisi, [in:] Anastasiadis, A. (Ed.), Kypros kai Makedonia. Scheseis mesa sto chrono, Leukosia, 13–65
Hadjisavvas, S. 2012: Anaskaptontas tous taphous ton Vasileon, Leukosia
Hadjisavvas, S. forthcoming: The Contribution of the Excavations at the ‘Tombs of the Kings’ (Palaiokastra) to the History of Paphos, [in:] Balandier, C., Michaelides, D., Raptou, E. (Eds), Nea Paphos and Western Cyprus. Proceedings of the Colloquium, [Paphos 11–15 October 2017], Bordeaux
Hadjisavvas, S., Flourentzos, P. (Eds) 2007: ARDA for the year 2001, Nicosia
Hadjistephanou, E. 2016: Practical Approaches in the Conservation of Wall Paintings in Nea Paphos, [in:] Balandier, C. (Ed.), Nea Paphos. Fondation et développement urbanistique d’une ville chypriote de l’Antiquité à nos jours. Études archéologiques, historiques et patrimoniales. Actes du 1er colloque international sur Paphos, Avignon 30, 31 Octobre et 1er Novembre 2012, Ausonius Mémoires 34, Bordeaux, 375–391
Hatton, G.D., Shortland, A.J., Tite, M.S. 2008: The production technology of Egyptian blue and green frits from second millennium BC Egypt and Mesopotamia, JAS 35/6, 1591–1604
Kakoulli, I. 1997: Roman wall paintings in Cyprus: A scientific investigation of their technology, [in:] Béarat, H., Fuchs, M., Maggetti, M., Paunier, D. (Eds), Roman Wall Painting: Materials, Techniques, Analysis and Conservation. Proceedings of the International Workshop Fribourg 7–9 March 1996, Fribourg, 131–141
Kakoulli, I. 2002: Late Classical and Hellenistic painting techniques and materials: a review of the technical literature, Reviews in Conservation 3, 56–67
Kakoulli, I. 2009a: Egyptian blue in Greek painting between 2500 and 50 BC, [in:] Shortland,
A.J., Freestone, I.C., Rehren, T. (Eds), From Mine to Microscope: Advances in the Study of Ancient Technology, Oxford, 79–92
Kakoulli, I. 2009b: Greek Painting Techniques and Materials from the Fourth to the First Century BC, London
Kakoulli, I., Fischer, Ch., Michaelides, D. 2010: Painted rock-cut tombs in Cyprus from the Hellenistic and Roman periods to Byzantium: material properties, degradation processes and sustainable preservation strategies, Studies in Conservation 55/Supp. 2, 96–102
Kakoulli, I., Michaelides, D. 2000: Technological investigation of monumental Graeco-Roman tomb paintings in Cyprus, [in:] 32 International Symposium Archaeometry, Mexico, s. p.
Karageorghis, V. 1966: Chronique des fouilles et des découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1965, BCH 90/1, 297–389
Karageorghis, V. 1975: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1974, BCH 99/2, 801–851
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1975: ARDA for the year 1974, Nicosia
Karageorghis, V. 1976: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1975, BCH 100/2, 839–906
Karageorghis, V. 1980: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1979, BCH 104/2, 761–803
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1980: ARDA for the year 1979, Nicosia
Karageorghis, V. 1982: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1981, BCH 106/2, 685–744
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1982: ARDA for the year 1981, Nicosia
Karageorghis, V. 1984: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1983, BCH 108/2, 893–966
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1984: ARDA for the year 1983, Nicosia
Karageorghis, V. 1985: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1984, BCH 109/2, 897–967
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1985: ARDA for the year 1984, Nicosia
Karageorghis, V. 1986: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1985, BCH 110/2, 823–880
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1986: ARDA for the year 1985, Nicosia
Karageorghis, V. 1987: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1986, BCH 111/2, 663–733
Karageorghis, V. 1989: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1988, BCH 113/2, 789–853
Karageorghis, V. (Ed.) 1989: ARDA for the year 1988, Nicosia
Loulloupis, M. (Ed.) 1992: ARDA for the year 1991, Nicosia
Lysandrou, V. 2014: I taphiki arkhitektoniki kata tin Ellinistiki kai Romaïki periodo stin Kipro, unpublished PhD thesis, University of Cyprus, Nicosia
Mavrojannis, T. 2016: The Mausoleum of Ptolemy Eupator and the ‘Tombs of the Kings’ at Nea Paphos in the Light of the Portraiture of the Ptolemaic Strategoi of Cyprus from Voni-Kythrea, Ostraka, Rivista di antichitá XXV, 119–163
Michaelides, D. 1995: Chypre Hellénistique et Romaine, DossArch 205, 106–115
Michaelides, D. 2001: Archeologia Paleocristiana a Cipro, [in:] Farioli Campanati, R. (Ed.), XLIV Corso di Cultura sull’Arte Ravennate e Bizantina. Seminario Internazionale di Studi sul tema: Le grandi isole del Mediterraneo orientale tra tarda antichità e medioevo, Ravenna, 179–239
Michaelides, D. 2004: Cypriot Painted Tombs and their Ceilings, [in:] Borhy, L. (Ed.), Plafonds et voûtes à l’époque antique. Actes du VIIIe Colloque international de l’Association Internationale pour la Peinture Murale Antique [Budapest-Veszprém, May 15–19, 2001], Budapest, 89–96
Michaelides, D. 2005: Brief reflections on two new ‘Cypriot’ mosaics, [in:] Morlier, H. (Ed.), La mosaïque gréco-romaine IX. Actes du IXe Colloque international pour l’étude de la mosaïque antique et médiévale. Association Internationale pour l’Étude de la Mosaïque Antique (AIEMA) [Rome 5–10 November 2001], CEFR 352, Rome, 399–404
Michaelides, D. 2014: The Significance of the Basilica at Agioi Pente of Yeroskipou, [in:] Stewart, Ch.A., Davies, T.W., Weyl Carr, A. (Eds), Cyprus and the Balance of Empires. Art and Archaeology from Justinian I to the Coeur de Lion, ASOR Archaeological Reports 20, Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute Monograph Series 5, Boston, MA, 1–16
Michaelides, D., Guimier-Sorbets, A.-M. 2016: Funerary Architecture and Other Underground Structures in Hellenistic Cyprus and Rhodes, CCEC 46, 305–322
Michaelides, D., Guimier-Sorbets, A.-M., Verri, G., Guimier, A. forthcoming: Re-examining some of the tomb paintings of Nea Paphos, [in:] Balandier, C., Michaelides, D., Raptou, E. (Eds), Nea Paphos and Western Cyprus. Colloquium [Paphos 11–15 October 2017], Bordeaux
Miller, S.G. 1993: The Tomb of Lyson and Kallikles: A Painted Macedonian Tomb, Mainz a/Rhein
Młynarczyk, J. 1990: Nea Paphos in the Hellenistic period, Nea Paphos III, Varsovie
Moussa, A.M.A., Kantiranis, N., Voudouris, K.S., Stratis, J.A., Ali, M.F., Christaras, V. 2009: The impact of soluble salts on the deterioration of pharaonic and Coptic wall paintings at Al Qurna, Egypt: mineralogy and chemistry, Archaeometry 51/2, 292–308
Nicolaou, I. 1986: Inscriptiones Cypriae Alphabeticae XXV, 1985, RDAC 1986, 192–196
Nicolaou, I. 1987: Inscriptiones Cypriae Alphabeticae XXVI, 1986, RDAC 1987, 177–184
Nicolaou, I. 2004: Inscriptiones Cypriae Alphabeticae XLIII, 2003, RDAC 2004, 267–269
Nicolaou, Κ. 1966a: Archaeology in Cyprus, 1961–1966, ArchRep 12, 27–43
Nicolaou, K. 1966b: The Topography of Nea Paphos, [in:] Bernhard, M.L. (Ed.), Mélanges offerts à Kazimierz Michałowski, Warszawa, 561–601
Nicolaou, Κ. 1976: Archaeology in Cyprus, 1969–1976, ArchRep 22, 34–69
Pantermalis, D. 1972: O neos Makedonikos taphos tis Verginas, Makedonika 12, 147–182
Papageorghiou, A. 1990: Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1989, BCH 114/2, 941–985
Papageorghiou, A. (Ed.) 1990: ARDA for the year 1989, Nicosia
Papageorghiou, A. (Ed.) 1991: ARDA for the year 1990, Nicosia
Papageorghiou, A., Foulias, A. 2013: L’architecture funéraire à Chypre du Ier au Xe siècle, CCEC 43, 201–225
Petsas, Ph.M. 1966: O taphos ton Leukadion, Athina
Radpour, R., Fischer, Ch., Kakoulli, I. 2019: New Insight into Hellenistic and Roman Cypriot Wall Paintings: An Exploration of Artists’ Materials, Production Technology, and Technical Style, Arts 8/74, 1–33
Raptou, E. 2004: A Painted Roman Tomb at Paphos (P.M. 3510), MeditArch 17, 311–321
Raptou, E. 2007: Painted Tombs of Roman Paphos, Κυπριακή Αρχαιολογία V, 117–128
Raptou, E. 2009: Sarcophage attique trouvé à Paphos, RDAC 2009, 205–236
Raptou, E. 2013: Une nouvelle peinture funéraire de Paphos à décor symbolique, SAAC 17, 277–291
Rupp, D.W. 1978: A Hellenistic black and white pebble mosaic from the Acropolis of Kourion, RDAC 1978, 254–265
Rupp, D.W. 1982: Eustolios complex, [in:] Wylde Swiny, H. (Ed.), An archaeological guide to the ancient Kourion area and the Akrotiri Peninsula, Nicosia, 132–139
Venit, M.S. 2002: The monumental tombs of ancient Alexandria. The theater of the dead, Cambridge
Wood Conroy, D. 2006: Wall paintings in the Icarus Street Tomb, Pafos, [in:] Raptou, E., The Built Tomb in Icarus Street, Kato Paphos, RDAC 2006, 331–342
Wood Conroy, D., Atkinson, J. 2004: Roman Wall Paintings in the Pafos Theatre, RDAC 2003, 275–300
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Instytut Kultur Śródziemnomorskich i Orientalnych PAN and the Authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 628
Number of citations: 0
