Cyrene

Also known as Cyrene, Libya

ancient Greek and Roman city near present-day Shahhat, Libya

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Cyrene was an ancient Greek city located in what is now Libya that became an important center of Greek culture and learning in North Africa. It later came under Roman control and served as a significant urban hub in the region until its eventual decline.

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Wikidata facts

Area: 131.675
Image: Archaeological Site of Cyrene-109025.jpg

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Commons category: Cyrene
inception: 0630-00-00
P8168: Velia

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Cyrene, also sometimes anglicized as Kyrene, was an ancient Greek colony and Roman city near present-day Shahhat in northeastern Libya in North Africa. It was part of the Pentapolis, an important group of five cities in the region, and gave the area its classical and early modern name Cyrenaica.

Cyrene lies on a ridge of the Jebel Akhdar uplands. The archaeological remains cover several hectares and include several monumental temples, stoas, theatres, bathhouses, churches, and palatial residences. The city is surrounded by the Necropolis of Cyrene. Since 1982, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's port was Apollonia (Marsa Sousa), located about 16 kilometres (10 mi) to the north.