Warfare > Siege of Kitium

Siege of Kitium

Background

Cimon sailed for Cyprus with a fleet of 200 ships provided by the Athenians and their allies. However, 60 of these ships were sent to Egypt at the request of Amyrtaeus, the so-called "King of the Marshes" (who still remained independent of, and opposed to Persian rule).[27] The rest of the force besieged Kition in Cyprus, but during the siege, Cimon died either of sickness or a wound.[98] The Athenians lacked provisions, and apparently under the death-bed instructions of Cimon, the Athenians retreated towards Salamis-in-Cyprus