Cyrene

History

  • Cyrene was founded by the Ancient Greeks from Santorini (Ancient Thera) in 631 BCE, according to Herodotus in Book IV of the The Histories. They were sent by the Oracle of Delphi.
  • Between 250-96 BCE it was ruled by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
  • It was given to Rome in 96 BCE and became a Roman Province in 74 BCE.
  • Rebellions occurred during the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 CE) and the Kitos War (115-117 CE). During the latter, the inhabitants were so badly massacred that the city had to be repopulated.

The Greek and Roman Monuments

  • There are Three Monumental complexes, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Acropolis and the Agora and Roman Forum and the fourth area is the Necropolis of Cyrene.
    • The Sanctuary of Apollo
      • Fountain of Apollo written about by Pindar, Callimachus and Herodotus.
      • Temple of Apollo (7-4th century BCE)
      • Temple of Artemis (7-6th century BCE)
      • Sacella of Persephone, Hades and Hecate
      • Votive Monuments and Treasuries
      • Baths of Trajan
      • Roman Amphitheatre built into the Greek Theatre.
    • The Acropolis
    • The Agora and Roman Forum
      • Bouleuterion
        • Capitoleum
      • Agora
      • Forum
      • Nomophylakion (Public Archives Depository)
    • The Necropolis Complex of Cyrene

Museums

  • Cyrene Antiquity Museum
    • Located next to the Ruins of Cyrene in the town of Shahhat, Libya.
    • The museum holds 200 statues including the Sphinx, the Three Graces, the Head of Atheana and The Kore of Torolina.
    • The Venus of Cyrene was displayed in Rome between 1913-2008, after which it was returned to Libya. Its current location is uncertain.
  • British Museum
    • Apollo of Cyrene

Roman Roads

Ruins of Cyrene

Get Directions Go to Visitor Map
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