Idalion Tablet

The Idalion Tablet is the oldest title of property that has been found so far and is one of the most important findings of the archaeological excavations in Cyprus.

It was found in 1850 by a Dali farmer, and excavated at the temple of the goddess Athena (western acropolis) at the site of Ancient Idalion. It dates back to 470 BC, considering that the temple was destroyed by the Persians around that time. Since then, the Idalion Tablet has been in the possession of the French Duke of Louis, and in 1862 it was bequeathed by the National Library of Paris.

The Idalion Tablet, also known as Onasillou Plate, is a two-sided brass plate, written in the Cypriot Syllabary script. Today, the image of this great cultural attraction has been adopted as an emblem by the Department of Land and Surveys of the island.

In this particular sign, the mutual agreement of King and the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Idalion was drawn with the doctor Onassilos and his brothers. Reading today’s almost legal Idalion Tablet, Onassilos had to cure the wounded soldiers without getting payed during the war with the Phoenicians (Kitians), while in exchange Stasikiprou and the people gave him a part of the state land, and in fact free of charge. But if the brothers gave back these parts of land, the people and the King would have to pay Onassilos and his brothers a silver talent. At the same time, the fact that the deal was deposited in the temple of Athena, also declares the inviolability of the oath given. From the text of the inscription, the scholars also conclude that at that time the king did not gather all the powers, even if there was an emergency, strongly implying the Athenian democratic elements of that society. In addition, the Inscription also gives information on one of the oldest social welfare systems we know so far, informing us about how land separation was organized (with institutions similar to the current land register).

Today, at the initiative of the Cyprus Local History Group (OTIC) and in collaboration with the Dali Municipality, the Department of Antiquities and the gentle gesture of the National Library of France, a faithful copy of the famous Idalion Tablet is displayed since November 2010 at the Local Archaeological Museum of Ancient Idalion.