Λήδρα | |
 Ancient city-Kingdoms of Cyprus | |
  Ledra Shown within Cyprus | |
| Location | Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Region | Nicosia District |
| Coordinates | 35°09′45″N33°21′45″E / 35.16250°N 33.36250°E /35.16250; 33.36250 |
Ledra (Greek:Λήδρα), also speltLedrae,[1] was an ancientcity-kingdom in the centre ofCyprus where the capital city ofNicosia is today.
Ledra was established in 1050 BC. It had become a city-kingdom by the seventh century BC.[2] At times, it had been subject toAssyrian rule.[3] Ledra was one often Cypriot kingdoms listed on the prism (many-sided tablet) of theAssyrian kingEsarhaddon (680–669 BC). The only known king of Ledra isOnasagoras, mentioned in this tablet for paying tribute to Esarhaddon.[4]
ByHellenistic times (330 BC) it had dwindled to a small village. An account suggested that it lost its city-kingdom status because it consolidated with other such kingdoms to form stronger territorial units.[5] In 280 BC, Ledra became Leukotheon while theByzantines started referring to it as Lefkon or "poplar grove".[6] During the fourth century AD, it became abishopric and was renamed Lefkosia.[2] It eventually became the capital of Nicosia under this name during the 10th century.[2]
Ledra Street in Nicosia is named after Ledra.[7]
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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