Ancient Ports in Crete & Cyprus

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Ancient port mentioned by ancient author(s)

Ancient port mentioned by modern author(s) only

Potential ancient harbour, from a nautical point of view

NB Ancient name Modern name
2917 Creta insula, Kaptara, Keftiou, Biblical Kaphtor Isle of Crete
2917.1 Falasarna, Phalasarna Falasarna, Phalasarna. There are only a few places protected from the western waves on the West coast of Crete;  the only good natural shelter from a nautical point of view is at Gramvousa (Balos Beach). However, the ancient port was identified as an artificial dug-out basin at the toe of a promontory located 1 km North of the city of Phalasarna, it was uplifted 6.5 m during the 365 AD earthquake
2919 Myle, Mylos, Mylai, Mylae insula Cape Tigani
2920 Mese insula Imeri Gramvoussa island
2921 Iusagura, Iousagoura, Musagorus, Acusagorus insula Agria Gramvousa island
2922 Tretos prom. Cape Gramvoussa, Vouxa
2923 Agnio, Agneion Agios Sostis, Apollo temple at creek on the East side of Cape Gramvousa
2924 Mykenai, Elaea? Kavonisi, Trachilos
2925 Port of Kisamon, Cisamus, port of Polyrrhenia, inside Myrtilos sinus Mavros Molos, at Kisamos-Kastelli inside the gulf of Kissamos, near Elena Beach Hotel, breakwater crest 4 m above MSL after a 6 m tectonic uplift
2926 Mythimna, Napia? Nopigia inside the gulf of Kissamos
2927 Tyron, Tityro Prom. Akra Nisi, Agios Paulos, on Rodopou peninsula
2928 Diktynon, Dictynnaion, Dyktaion Menies bay, near cape Spatha, on Rodopou peninsula
2928.1 Vlikhades cove, near cape Chironisi, on Rodopou peninsula
2929 Pergamos near Kolimbari
2930 Akoition, Akytos, Koite, Coete insula Agios Theodoros, on the isle of Theodori, near Gerani, with submerged BA settlement
2931 Port of Koilonia, Kydonia, Cydonie Kastelli, Chania, Khania, la Canee
2932 Temple at Lera, near Stavros
2933 Temple at Panagia Arkoudiotiussa, Katholiko monastery
2934 Marathi, Minoa? in front of Leukai, Marathi insula Marathi, on the North side of the entrance to the bay of Souda, in front of Palaiosouda islet
2935 Hormiskos Loutraki
2936 Minoa, Minos, Minoium Limenistos Minoas, Limin Sternon
2937 Leukai, Budroae, Boudroe insulae Islets of Souda & Leon
2938 Soudha
2939 port of Aptera, Aptara, Kisamos Kalami, on the South side of the entrance to the bay of Souda. There are thus two “Kisamos” homonym sites
2939.1 port of Aptera, Aptara, Kisamos? Kera beach, near Kalyves
2940 Tanos Almyrida, on R Almyros
2941 Amfimala, Amphimalla, Amphomala, Amphimatrion? Georgioupoli, near the outlet of R Almiros
2942 Idramia, Hydramia, Hydramo, port of Lappa, on R Messapos Dramia, Idramon, on R Mouselas
2943 Gerani beach
2944 Rethymno, Arsinoe Rhithymna Rethymno, “Venitian” harbour
2944.1 Rethymno, Arsinoe Rhithymna West side of Rethymno, note the slipways located west of the castle, still partly visible under the coastal boulevard
2945 Agrion, Pantomatrion, Amphimatrion? port of Allaria, port of Eleutherna Stavromenos
2946 Aulopotamos, Mylopotamou,  port of Eleutherna Panormos
2947 Astali, Astale, port of Oaxos, Axos Bali, Mpali
2948 Kytaion Almyrida
2949 Apollonia, Apellonia, Panormos? Cape Souda, Agia Pelagia, near R Kladisos
2949.1 Kytaion? Palaiokastro, is also a Venetian fortress
2950 Port of Tylissos? Port of Rhaukos? Port of archaic Kastrokephala? Gazi, near R Almyros & R Gazanos
2951 Port of Heraklion, Heracleion,  Omphalion, Candia Iraklio
2952 Minoan port of Knossos, Monesos, at outlet of R Kairatos Poros/Katsambas, at outlet of R Katsaba, near modern port of Iraklio
2953 Standia, Dia insula Agios Georgios bay, on the isle of Dia
2954 Kapari bay, on the isle of Dia
2955 Panagia bay, on the isle of Dia
2956 Agrilia bay, on the isle of Dia
2957 Aginara bay, on the isle of Dia
2958 Aminisos, Amnisos, Amnissus, east of outlet of R Amnisos, Minoan port of Knossos, capital city of archaic Caphtor, Keftiu, Kabturi Submerged, NW of Palaiochora Hill, east of outlet of R Karteros, near Eileithyia Cave
2959 Nirou Chani, Nirou Khani, Hagioi Theodoroi, 2 km East of the temple of Zeus Thenatas ; rock-cut structure visited by several famous authors
2959.1 Nirou Megaron Minoan villa
2959.2 Pyrgos, Halepa, Kokkini Chani, at Themis Beach Hotel
2959.3 Gouves, at Amirantes Hotel, near outlet of R Aposelemis
2960 Port of Chersonisos, Chersonesos, Cherrhonesos, port of Lyctos, Lyttos Limenas Chersonisou, Khersonisos, Cherronisos, Hersonissos at Anissaras
2960.1 Chersonisos fish tank
2960.2 Cape Drapano
2960.3 Stalida
2960.4 Malia Metamorfosi
2961 Port of Malia Malia, Mallia, with ancient port possibly inside lagoon
2961.1 Boufos, near Sissi
2962 Milatos Militos
2963 Olus, Olous, Oloulis, Olonte, Olounta, Solountos Poros isthmus to Kalydon-Spinalonga peninsula, at the south end of large Elounda bay
2964 South of Cadistos Prom. Bay protected by Kolokytha island, south of Akra Agios Ioannis
2965 Temple of Ares, Aphrodite, Archaion Aphrodision Sto Pyrgo, near Ellinika
2966 Port of Kamara, Camara, Lato pros Kamara Agios Nikolaos
2967 Priniatikos Pyrgos near Istro, near R Kalos
2967.1 Istron, Istrona, Hetera Agios Panteleimonas, near R Kalos
2968 Port of Vrokastro Voulsima beach, in front of Minoan Vrokastro site on top of the cliff
2969 Port of Gournia Gournia
2970 Minoa Pachia Ammos
2970.1 Agriomandra
2971 Tholos due South of the isle of Psira, on R Platys
2972 Pseira East bay, on the isle of Psira
2973 Kasou, Casios near Mokhlos?
2974 Port of Mochlos Mokhlos, small creek on the East side of the cape located in front of the islet
2975 Petra? Liopetro
2975.1 Papadiokampos
2976 Setaia, Siteias, Ketia, Cetia, Eteia, near Ketia Prom. Sitia
2977 Petras, Polichna? Port of Praisos Trypitos Setaea, with slipway
2977.1 Agia Photia
2978 Dionysiades, Dionysa, Dionusias insulae Dionysiades islands, Dragonada, Gianisada and Paximada, South creek on the isle of Dragonada
2979 Samonion, Sammonion, Salmonion Prom. with temple of Athena Cape Sidero, but Uggeri claims it could be at Tenta bay & beach, 3.5 km SSW of this place
2980 Ermoupolis, Rimopolis, Itanos Itanos
2980.1 Kouremenos marina, with Roman breakwater
2981 Port of Dicte, temple of Zeus Diktaios, Palaiokastron, Palaikastro, Petsofa, Eleia? Paralia Chiona, at Roussolakos Palekastro, Eleia Chora, Mount Dicte, Dikti, East of Crete
2982 Zakro Kato Zakros
2983 Ampelos? Ambelos, Xirokambos
2984 Port of Syrinthos? Livari, near Atherinolakkos
2985 Leuke, on Leuke insula Kamareles beach, at Leuki, Lefki, on the Isle of Koufonisi
2986 Stalai? Makrygialos, Diaskari
2987 Kakia Skala fish tank, near Ferma
2987.1 Koutsounari fish tank
2988 Port of Hierapytna, Hierapydna, Hierapyna, Phaerapnae Ierapetra
2989 East cove, on the isle of Chrysi, Chryssi
2990 Pelegrina, on the isle of Chrysi, Chryssi
2990.1 Cape Mouri, on the isle of Chrysi, Chryssi
2991 Gra Ligia, Gralivia Gra Lygia
2991.1 Fournou Kefala
2991.2 Pyrgos, near Myrtos
2992 Myrtos Myrtos
2993 Aria Arvi
2994 Bienos, Biennus, Blenna, Blentia Keratokampos, near Kastri
2995 Inatos, Einatos, port of Priansos Tsoutsouros
2996 Plaka Tris Ekklisies
2997 Trypiti Trypiti
2998 Leben, Lebena, Ledena, Libena, port of Gortyne, with Oxeia insula Lendas, with Elephant Rock islet
2999 Lasaia, Lasea, Lisia, Elyssa, Halis, Halae, Halassa islet of Trafos at Chrysostomos 2 km East of Kaloi Limenes ; rubble mound breakwaters can be seen on Google Earth
3000 Kaloi Limenes, Beaux Ports, “Good Ports” Kaloi Limenes, today a small LPG terminal well protected from northern winds but not from SE winds, one wonders just why the captain of St Paul’s ship preferred to winter at Phoenix rather than here or Lasaia: perhaps he also underestimated the northern wind gusts running down the coastal mountain ridge between Matala and Frangokastello
3001 Port of Matalon, Matala, Matalia, Matalum, port of Gortyne Matala. N.C.Flemming and P.A. Pirazzoli, 1981 mention this slipway in the SE corner of the Matala creek, below the “Hippies’ cave”
3002 Kommos, Amyklaion, Amyclaeum? Komo beach, with world’s oldest Minoan slipway? possibly sheltered by offshore Papadoplaka islet?
3003 Kamilari
3004 Phaistos, Phestie, on R Lethaios Festos (near Tympaki airport), on R Geropotamos
3005 Agia Triada, on R Geropotamos
3006 Sulia, Soulia, Sulena, port of Sybrita, on R Electra Agia Galini, 6km NW of Tympaki Airport, on R Plotis
3007 Psycheion, Psyche Agios Pavlos, at cape Melissa
3008 Bionnos? Pyrgos, near Kerames
3008.1 Dionysos beach, Preveli
3009 Schinaria
3010 Neolithic settlement at Damnoni cave
3011 Lamone? port of Lappa, Lampa? Plakias, note the whole area between Matala and Frangokastello is not well protected from northern winds
3012 Port of Apollonia? Souda beach, near Sellia
3013 Agios Eustratios near Frangokastello
3014 Phoenicis portus, Phoenix, Phoinix, Phoinike, Phoinica Loutro East, well protected from northern winds, Ptolemy locates Phoenicis limen/portus east of Phoenix polis/civitas, BAtlas locates Phoenix at Finikas, on the west side of the promontory, Uggeri indicates that the Loutro peninsula has a typical Phoenician shape with one port on each side
3015 Phoenix civitas, Phoinix, Phoinike, Phoinica Cape Moures, Ptolemy locates Phoenicis limen/portus east of Phoenix polis/civitas, BAtlas locates Phoenix at Finikas, on the west side of the promontory, Uggeri indicates that the Loutro peninsula has a typical Phoenician shape with one port on each side
3016 Clauda, Claudia, Gaudus, Kaudos, Kyklos insula Isle of Gavdos
3017 Ambelos, Kaudos? Hormos Sarakinikos, on the isle of Gavdos
3018 Tharro, Tarros, Tarrha, Tarra Agia Roumeli, at outlet of R Samaria
3019 Poikilassos, Peocilassus, Paecilasso Pikilassos, on R Trypiti, Tripiti
3020 Syba, Syia, Suja, port of Elyros Suia, shingle beach of Sougia, at outlet of R Tsikalaria
3021 Lissa, Lissus, Lissos, Lison, Liso, 2nd port d’Elyros Agios Kyriakos, 2 km West of Sougia
3022 Selino, port of Kalamyde, Calamyde, port of Hyrtakina? Palaiochora, between outlets of R Kakodikianos & R Azodianos
3023 Agios Georgios, near Grammeno
3024 Port of Kriu, Kriou, ancien Criu Metopon Kriou Chalikia, Krios beach on the SE side of Cape Krios
3025 Biennos, Biennon, Ina Kome Agios Ioannis di Ktista, east of Elafonisi, Elaphonisos
3026 Chrysoskalitissa Monastery, between Elafonisi and Stomio
3027 Rhamous, Rhamnus portus, Biennos? Biennon? Ina Kome? Stomio bay? Ptolemy locates Rhamous portus at 10’ of latitude South of Phalasarna, near the beach of Stomio
3028 Chersonesos Koutoulos bay, near cape Karavoutas
3029 Sphinarion Sfinari
3030 Cyprus, archaic Alashiya, Alasia, Iatnana, Iadnana, Yadnana, Adnana, Ires, Insula Portuosa Isle of Cyprus
3031 Akraia, Acra Prom., near Kleides insulae, two moorings and Aphrodite temple (on Olympos hill) according to Stadiasmus Cape Apostolos Andreas, cape Zafer and Klidhes islets, Kastros neolithic settlement
3032 Phileunte, Phileous Altinkum plaji, Golden beach?
3033 Nisoi Karpassiai, Karpassia insulae Agia Pappou on Chelones island now connected to the mainland
3034 Palaia, Palaea, Cape Elea near Bafra
3035 Knidos near Agios Theodoros
3036 Alaas near Agios Theodoros
3037 Port of Salamis, Salamine of Cyprus, port of archaic Enkomi-Alasia, Constantia, on R Pediaios, smelting workshop with possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots from Apliki mine 7 km North of Famagousta, on R Pedieos, R Gialias
3037.1 Port of Salamis, Salamine of Cyprus North of R Pedieos, R Gialias
3037.2 Port of Salamis, Salamine of Cyprus, naval base with probable shipsheds North of Campanopetra Basilica
3038 Enkomi-Alasia, on R Pediaios Engomi, on R Pedieos, R Gialias
3039 Archaic Kalopsidha, now inland Kalopsida, BA settlement
3040 Ammochostos insulae, Arsinoe of Salamis islets in front of Famagousta
3041 Leukolla, Leucolla Paralimni, with Neolithic settlement
3041.1 Fig Tree bay, near Protaras, with Neolithic settlement
3042 Pedalium, Pedalion Prom. Cape Greco
3043 Roman villa at Kalogiannis
3044 Roman villa at Korakistres
3045 Roman villa at Ammos tou Kampouri
3046 Palio Khorio Palio Khorio near Agia Napa
3047 Nissi Beach
3048 Port of Thronoi? Liopetri Potamos
3049 Quarry at Mosphiloudia
3050 Possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots Pyla, near Koutsopetria & Kokkinokremos/krenos
3051 Kition, Citium, Kitim, Kepos, Punic Qart Hadasht (export of copper) Larnaca, with slipways at Bamboula
3052 Hala Sultan Tekke
3052.1 Cape Kiti
3053 Palaia, Palea Cape Petounda near Mazotos
3053.1 Alaminos, on R Xeros
3054 Possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots Maroni-Tsaroukkas, port of Maroni-Vournes? anchors
3055 Maroni-Vrysoudhia
3056 Possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots Zygi-Petrini, port of Kalavasos-Kopetra & Kalavasos-Tenta copper mines? Roman amphora kiln
3057 Possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots Tochni Lakkia, port of Kalavasos-Tenta copper mines?
3057.1 West of Governor’s beach
3057.2 East of Agios Georgios Alamanos
3057.3 Agios Georgios Alamanos
3057.4 Agios Epiphanios, at outlet of R Moni
3058 Port of Amathus, Amathonte, Mathousta Amathus, 10 km East of Limassol
3059 Lemesos, Theodosiana, Neapolis Limassol Marina, on R Garyllis
3060 Tarratsos
3061 Kargaeas, Cragaearum, Karaïa, Curias Prom. Cape Gata South of Limassol
3062 Akrotiri-Aetokremnos, Mesolithic settlement
3063 Dreamer’s Bay, with quarries & ashlar breakwater
3064 Akrotiri west bays with grey sand & dunes, port of Katalymata ton Plakoton
3065 Port of Kourion, Curium, Kyriakon, Curiaco (export of copper), near R Lykos Episkopi Phaneromeni, near R Lykos
3065.1 Port of Apollo Hylates temple Zapalo beach, below Apollo Hylates temple
3066 Avdimou bay
3067 Tritoï, Tretis, Treta, Tretous Prom.? port of Palaiapaphos Anchorage at Kouklia-Achni, Teratsia, near Skales, 5 km NW of Aphrodite’s birthplaces at Petra Tou Romiou
3068 Palaipaphos, Paleapaphos Kouklia, east of R Diarizos
3069 Styllarka, at the outlet of R Xeros
3070 Anchorage of Zephyria Prom. Cape Zephyros, South of Mandria
3071 Roman villa at Agios Leontios
3072 Numenio, Noumenion, Hierokepia, Hiere & Cepia Moulia rocks
3073 Arsinoe of Palaipaphos, near cape Arsinoe? Geroskipou, near Paphos
3074 Nea-Paphos, Paphos, Paphon, archaic Pappa Kato Paphos, with twin breakwater and possible ancient lighthouse
3075 Alyki
3076 Kyssonerga-Mylouthkia Neolithic settlement
3077 archaic Maa-Palaiokastro, possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots from Apliki mine Coral Bay
3078 Drepanon, Drepanum Prom. Agios Georgios Pegeias
3078.1 Hierocepias insula Yeronisos, Geronisos island
3079 Akamas-Aspros & Akamas-Alimman at outlet of R Aspros at outlet of R Avakas
3080 Lara Lara Beach
3081 Drousha
3082 Akamas, Acamas, Acamus Prom. Agios Epiphanios, near Cape Arnauti
3083 Lakki, Latchi
3084 Marionpolis, Arsinoe Marion Polis tis Khrysokhou
3085 Mansoura, between Kokkino, Erenköy and Kato Pyrgos
3085.1 Petra tou Limniti islet, Tas Adasi, Yesilirmak
3086 Limenia? Limnitis, Yesilirmak
3087 Roman villa at Vouni
3088 Soloi, Soli, Solos, archaic Sillu’ua, Aipeia, possible export of Bronze Age copper oxhide ingots from Ambelikou, Mavrovouni (Lefka-Karadag), Apliki-Apliç, Skouriotissa, Agia Marina (on R Lagoudera) mines, and smelting workshop at Phorades (Politiko) Potamos tou Kambou, West of Gemikonagi
3089 Melabron? Palaikastro, near Agia Eirini, on R Eskikale Deresi
3090 Kromnakon, Krommyon Prom. Cape Kormakitis, Koruçam Burnu
3091 Port of Lapathus, Lapethos, Lapithos, Phoinikon Lambousa, with large fish tank
3092 Port of Cerynia, Keryneia, Keraunia, Cyrenaios, Cerinia, Corineum Kyrenia, Girne, with an undated chain closure
3093 Makaria, Macaria Moulos, Kücükerenköy
3094 Aphrodision Liastrika, north of Akanthou
3094.1 Akanthou-Arkosykos, Tatlisu, with neolithic settlement at Çiftlikdüzü
3095 Pergamon of Cyprus near Panagia Pergaminiotissa church, with Neolithic settlement at Ciftlikdüzü (BAtlas and others incorrectly call it Melandryna)
3096 Achaion Akte, Aulion Akte, beach of the Acheans Beaches near Pyrgos, 2 km NE of Kaplica, Davlos
3097 Bikli, Galounia, 5 km NE of Kaplica, Davlos
3098 Port of Karpaseia, Karpassia, Carpasie Agios Philon, near Rizokarpaso, Dipkarpaz
3099 group of three Byzantine churches at Aphendrika, Aphentrika
3100 Aera, Ourania Exarchos Bay