Following the example of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies founded several new cities. In Cyprus the city of Marion was rebuilt in the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. after its total destruction by Ptolemy I and was re-named Arsinoe in honour of Arsinoe II, sister and wife of Ptolemy Philadelphos. Two other cities were founded in the name of Arsinoe, one in the east of Cyprus at Salamis, and the second in the district of Pafos, between New and Old Pafos. This town which, according to Strabo, had anchorage (προσόρμιον), a sanctuary (ιερό), and a sacred grove (άλσος), has not been identified. Its sanctuary was probably dedicated to queen Arsinoe who, on her death (in 270 B.C.) was deified and worshipped in Paphos equally with Aphrodite, as were many other Ptolemeic kings and queens.
Kings of Marion
The ancient kingdom of Marion with its capital of the same name (present day “Polis tis Chrysochous”) was also situated in the Pafos district. From inscriptive and numismatic evidence we know the names of only 5 kings of Marion:
| 1. |
Doxandros |
(5th century B.C.) |
| 2. |
Sasmas |
(5th century B.C.) |
| 3. |
Stasioikos I |
(5th century B.C.) |
| 4. |
Timocharis |
(5th century B.C.) |
| 5. |
Stasioikos II |
(5th century B.C.) |
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