Cyrene, Ancient Greek colony and archaeological site in Shahat, Libya
Cyrene is an ancient Greek colony and archaeological site in Shahat, Libya, spread across a plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The site includes remains of residential quarters, public squares, water supply systems, and monumental structures built across different eras.
Greek settlers from Thera founded the colony in the 7th century BCE after an oracle advised them to move to North Africa. The city grew under Ptolemaic rule and later became a Roman provincial capital, until earthquakes and Arab conquests weakened it.
The name comes from a nymph in Greek mythology, whose story still echoes through the ruins. Visitors see inscriptions in Greek throughout the site, telling of a community that maintained its traditions for centuries and used theaters and sanctuaries for civic life.
The site is large and requires several hours on foot, so visitors should arrive early in the day and wear comfortable shoes. Paths between ruins are not always paved, so walking on uneven ground requires care.
The necropolis contains hundreds of rock-cut tombs, many still showing well-preserved wall paintings and reliefs. Some tombs have antechambers with stone benches where mourning families held funeral meals.
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