Κinthos, Ancient summit in Delos, Greece

Kinthos is the bare granite summit of Delos, rising 113 metres in the eastern central part of the island, south of the archaeological site. Its slopes hold fragments of white marble, and on the peak stand the foundations of a large Ionic building. Two ancient flights of steps led up, from the north and from the west, where a gate roofed by two stones still stands.

Mount Cynthus was probably the acropolis of ancient Delos and seems to have been ringed by a wall. Two flights of steps, on the north and west, led up to its summit, where foundations of a large Ionic building remain. The theatre stood at its western foot, facing Rheneia, near the stoa of Philip; a white marble wall and an altar dedicated to Isis by the priest Ctesippus lie in the valley below the peak.

Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis on Delos, and the twins took the epithets Cynthius and Cynthia from this mountain. Cynthia later became a female given name still used in English-speaking countries, and the byname was also applied to Selene and to Diana.

Access to the top is through two preserved stone staircases, with the northern route providing direct access to archaeological remains. The terrain is uneven and requires sturdy footwear, especially during wet conditions or intense sun exposure.

On the western side of the mountain stands an ancient gate whose roof is formed of two stones leaning together at an obtuse angle, rising only 1.27 m over a breadth of 4.93 m. Near the peak, a white marble altar carries a dedication to Isis by her priest Ctesippus, son of Ctesippus of Chius, adorned with bulls' heads and festoons.