Cyrene, Libya

Cyrene, located in present-day northeastern Libya, was a prominent ancient Greek and Roman city established by Greek settlers from Thera in the 7th century BCE. The city flourished under Greek and later Roman control, known for its monumental architecture including temples, a large necropolis, and public spaces such as theatres and marketplaces. Cyrene was a center for trade, intellectual pursuits, and religious activities, housing several significant temples and being associated with the Cyrenaic school of philosophy. The city faced multiple destructions: first by the Jewish revolt in 115 CE and later by an earthquake in 365 CE. Despite these events, Cyrene continued to be inhabited into the early Byzantine period before being abandoned after the Muslim conquest.