Excavations at the ancient city-kingdom of Kourion in Cyprus have revealed a previously unknown Temple of Apollo dating to the 3rd century BCE. The highlight of the discovery is a series of remarkably intact mosaic floors depicting Apollo as a shepherd, surrounded by geometric patterns and local flora. The temple appears to have been abandoned following a major earthquake, which ironically helped preserve the floor beneath collapsed masonry.
This sanctuary is smaller than the famous Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates nearby, suggesting it served a specific local neighborhood or guild. The find is expected to provide new insights into the Hellenistic religious landscape of Cyprus and the evolution of mosaic art in the Eastern Mediterranean during the early Ptolemaic administration of the island.