Where was ancient Cyrene and what is it today?

Ancient Cyrene was located on the coast of North Africa at the site of modern-day Shahhat, Libya.

When was Cyrene established and by whom?

Cyrene was founded in 631 BCE by immigrants from the Greek island of Thera.

Who are some of the famous people from Cyrene?

Famous citizens of Cyrene include the hedonistic philosopher Aristippus, the poet/scholar Callimachus, the polymath Eratosthenes, the philosopher Hegesias (who developed Aristippus' vision negatively), and Simon of Cyrene, mentioned in the Bible.

Why was Cyrene abandoned?

Cyrene was abandoned after the earthquakes of 262 and 365 CE but had been severely damaged by civil strife and the land is thought to have been depleted of resources earlier.

Cyrene Timeline

Definition

Cyrene (modern-day Shahhat, Libya) was a vital cultural center and port of trade in North Africa founded in 631 BCE by Greek colonists from the island of Thera. The city is best known as the birthplace of the philosopher Aristippus of Cyrene, the poet/scholar Callimachus, and the polymath Eratosthenes, as well as from references in the Bible.

More about: Cyrene

Timeline

631 BCE - 440 BCE
Duration of the Battiad Dynasty of Cyrene.
631 BCE
Greek colonists from the island of Thera found the city of Cyrene in North Africa.
460 BCE
Cyrene becomes a republic.
c. 398 BCE - c. 380 BCE
Plato travels in Egypt, Cyrene, Italy, Syracuse and Sicily.
323 BCE
After Alexander the Great's death, Cyrene becomes subject of the Ptolemaic Empire.
322 BCE
Cyrene is invaded by the rogue commander Thibron; port of Apollonia is damaged.
322 BCE
Thibron is defeated by Ophellas of the Ptolemaic Dynasty; Ophellas becomes governor of Cyrene.
276 BCE - 250 BCE
Magas rules as king of Cyrene; silphium plant is featured prominently on currency.
276 BCE - 195 BCE
Life of Eratosthenes, ancient Greek Alexandrian scholar, native of Cyrene and one of the greatest geographers in antiquity.
96 BCE
Cyrenaica becomes a Roman province.
74 BCE
The city of Cyrene comes under Roman control.
c. 27 BCE
Augustus makes Gortyn the capital of the Roman province of Crete & Cyrene.
262 CE
An earthquake devastates Cyrene.
365 CE
After another earthquake Cyrene becomes an abandonded city of ruins.