Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (4.1992(1993))

precise measurements are impossible owing to the intentional
destruction of the top of the altar. In the immediate neighbour-
hood of the altar, inside the enclosure, in the earth fill many
fragments of terracotta figurines as well as completely preserved
objects were found. The most numerous among the figurines were
representations of dogs lying on their side on a rectangular base.
Similar objects had been discovered nearby during the previous
season, and also during Cypriot excavations in the House of
Dionysos. Two figures of the bull Apis with the sun disc between
its homs were also brought to light close to the altar. This is the
first find of this kind from Paphos. Other finds included a
terracotta head of Sylen and a fragmentary preserved very fine
figurine of a goddess, Aphrodite perhaps, with traces of poly-
chromy. One of the most interesting finds was a terracotta
figurine of fighting gladiators, it would appear.
(Fig. 1) Similar objects have not been found in Paphos so far and
gladiatorial subjects are generally rather rare in Cyprus (one
example is mosaic from Kourion), although it is known that
gladiatorial combat took place in the amphitheatre at Salamis,
while the inscription ILS 1396 from Ankara mentions a /7rocMra-
forgM/afonae of the Anatolia province in the context
of Cyprus. These objects and information all refer to much later
times. The terracottas found close to the altar, including the
gladiatorial representation, belong to an earlier period. Numerous
oil lamps found together with the terracottas are to be dated to the
first and early second half of the 1" century A. D. at the latest;
they date the whole complex which may partly even go back to
the late 1" century B.C. It is known that in Paphos of the 1"
century official games were held commemorating Germanicus and

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