The island of Cyprus lies between the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa and, as such, has often been desired as a strategic location by many different powers through history. Bettany Hughes explores the legacy of these diverse influences on Cyprus through four of its unique treasures. According to mythology, the goddess Aphrodite was born from the sea and came ashore on Cyprus' Petra tou Romiou beach. Bettany explores the origins of these myths and her worship on the island, starting with a visit to Aphrodite's main sanctuary at Palaepaphos, where she discovers a surprising incarnation of the goddess. Through fascinating 3D scanning of newly discovered Bronze Age objects from a site at Hala Sultan Tekke, Bettany unravels foreign influences, from across the waters to the East, which might have shaped Aphrodite's later cult. And, at Nea Paphos, Bettany explores an underground niche where mysterious rituals may have taken place.
Treasures Of Cyprus was broadcast on SBS ONE at Sunday 24 March 2024, 10:15. This episode was initially placed on Sunday 4 December 2022.