Persian Period in Cyprus, according to the archaeological findings

The island of Cyprus was ruled by the Persian Empire for two centuries, under its fifth satrapy. The Persians built numerous religious, administrative and military sites on the island and their influence resulted in jewellery, coins, bowls and statues in the style of the Empire. The coins especially are proof of the recognition of Cyprus by the Persian Empire. During the study of the Persian religious architecture in Pighades the ceramics discovered, both underground and above, reveal that the 5th layer is related to the Persian Period. It is deduced that the altar within this layer is a Persian fire altar. The altar has similarities with the altar and altar blocks in Kition and Paphos. The work has been done considering that the excavators studying the administrative architecture of Vouni Palace may have misdated their findings. This work dates Vouni Palace between the periods of 520 BC, deduced from the early period sculptures, and 330 BC by the late period floor ceramics. The comparison between Vouni Palace and the Persian palaces built in Iran shows similarities between it and palaces built during the rule of Darius. Ancient writers record the Persian military presence on the island in the Garisson Camp in Paphos. The aim of this dissertation is to shed light onto the Persian Era in Cyprus and to reach a better conclusion for the results of past excavations using new data. Persian architecture, Persian influenced remains and ancient sources have been utilized to fill in the gaps of the Persian Era in Cyprus, and a new chronological timeline created.