Egyptian domination

When the Assyrian Empire finally broke up at the end of the 7th century B.C., Egypt, under the Saite dynasty, became the predominant power in the eastern Mediterranean. In about 569 B.C. the Cypriot kingdoms recognized the pharaoh Ahmose II as their overlord.

Direct Egyptian influence was not always apparent, though many limestone sculptures reproduce Egyptian conventions in dress and some statues are directly inspired by Egyptian models. 

A more important influence in the last years of the Archaic period (750-475 B.C.) came from the artistic schools of Ionia. From the same source probably came the inspiration for the issue of coinage; the first Cypriot coins were struck for Euelthon, king of Salamis (560-525 B.C.)

 

 

 


 
 

 

  

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