Treasures of Cyprus Quiz | World Sites

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1. Khirokitia (or Choirokoitia) is one of the oldest settlements in Cyprus and one of the most important prehistoric sites in the Eastern Mediterranean area. In which archaeological age does it belong?

Answer: Neolithic

Khirokitia was built on a steep hill side with a river running on one side and a wall on the other. The houses were round with a stone foundation and mud brick walls and the roof was covered with tree branches and mud. The inhabitants were mostly subsistence farmers. The settlement was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.

2. An ancient city-state situated near Famagusta, Cyprus takes its name from a Greek island. What is the name of the island which is not very far from Piraeus port?

Answer: Salamis

Salamis was built by Teucer (Tefkros in Greek) brother of the legendary Ajax after the Trojan War. They were both sons of King Telamon of Salamis Island. The picture shows the ancient theatre of Salamis which is dated from the Roman period which started in 58 BC. Salamis was destroyed by a huge earthquake in 342 AD.

3. The picture shows the ruins of St. Hilarion Castle which was located in the Kyrenia Mountains. The fortifications started in the 11th century AD as a defence against which kind of raiders?

Answer: Arab pirates

In the 11th century AD Cyprus was still part of the Eastern Roman Empire. Apart from St. Hilarion, two other fortifications, Kantara Castle and Buffavento Castle were also built on mountain tops overlooking the Cilicia Sea. The Lusignans who took over the island in the 12th century further strengthen the fortifications.

4. The picture shows part of the Paphos Mosaics which depicts the young lovers Pyramus and Thisbe. Which great Roman poet described the ill-fated relationship between the two in his work "Metamorphoses"?

Answer: Ovid

Just like "Romeo and Juliet" the families of the lovers are opposed to their relationship and end up killing themselves. "Metamorphoses" was first published in 8 AD. The particular mosaic can be viewed at the House of Dionysos, a Roman villa dated in the second century AD, which is part of the Paphos Archaeological Park and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Kolossi Castle was originally built in the early 13th century during the Crusades by the Frankish military. Which order of knights took over the castle in 1291?

Answer: St John of Jerusalem

The castle was rebuilt, in its present form, in 1454 by the knights of St John of Jerusalem who were also known as Hospitallers. The area around the castle is famed for its wine production and that is where the famed wine Commadaria was first produced.

6. One of the ten city-states of ancient Cyprus was Kourion that was first built by the descendants of a legendary king of which city in the Peloponnese?

Answer: Argos

The Archaeological site of Kourion (Curium in Latin) is the most imposing on the island and has been excavated extensively. One of the most impressive finds is the ancient theatre dates back to the Greco-Roman times which is used for open air performances. One can also see impressive mosaics, remnants of early Christian churches and Roman baths. From the options given only Argos is located on the Peloponnese.

7. According to the tradition the castle of Limassol was the site of the wedding of which English king to Berengaria of Navarre?

Answer: Richard I

Excavations in the site of the castle have revealed that it was built on the grounds of an early Christian church which in all probability served as the city's cathedral. The original castle was built during the Lusignan period. The castle that stands now near the city's harbour was erected by the Ottomans around 1590. Berengaria and Richard were married in Limassol following Richard's conquest of Cyprus in 1191.

8. Cyprus has many monasteries including Kykko Monastery which is shown in the picture. According to the legend the monastery houses an icon of the Virgin Mary that was pointed by which doctor and evangelist?

Answer: Luke

Kykkos monastery is the most famous and richest of all Cypriot monasteries. It was built in the 11th century on a mountain peak that is over 1300 meters high. It is dedicated to the Holy Virgin. Nothing remains of the original structure as it was burned down several times. According to the legend the icon was gifted by Emperor Alexios Komnenos who also donated the necessary funds for the construction of the monastery.

9. The impressive underground tombs are part of the Paphos Archaeological Park. Although the tombs were used for the burial of high ranking officials during the Hellenistic period, the site bears which regal sounding name?

Answer: Tombs of the Kings

The necropolis consisted of underground tombs hewn in the rock and surrounded by impressive colonnades. The tombs were large chambers and were used as burial places for about six centuries. The necropolis was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

10. Stavrovouni monastery is the oldest on the island. According to tradition it was built by the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great on her return from the Holy Land. What was her name?

Answer: St Helena

The monastery was founded in the fourth century AD by St Helena who left part of the True Cross there. Stavrovouni means the mount of the Cross. The mountain peak on which was built reached 750 meters in height. St Helena and Emperor Constantine were canonised and their feast day is celebrated on May 21.

Source: Author gme24

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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Treasures of Cyprus Trivia Quiz

Cyprus is small in area but extremely rich in history. In this quiz we will discover ten Cypriot sites.

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