In 74 BC Cyrene was created a Roman province; but, whereas under the Ptolemies the Jewish inhabitants had enjoyed equal rights, they now found themselves increasingly oppressed by the now autonomous and much larger Greek population. Tensions came to a head in the insurrection of the Jews of Cyrene under Vespasian (AD 73) and especially Trajan (AD 117). This revolt was quelled by Marcius Turbo, but not before huge numbers of people had been killed (Dio Cassius, lxviii. 32). According to Eusebius the outbreak of violence left Libya depopulated to such an extent that soon, new colonies had to be established there just to maintain the viability of continued settlement.Cyrene's agriculturally based economy thrived on the export of wheat, legumes, fruit, sheep and goat-derived products, horses, and a highly sought-after herbal plant known as silphium, which grew exclusively on the Libyan gebel. In fact silphium was Cyrene's chief local export through much of its early history. It was even pictured on most Cyrenian coins, until it was harvested to extinction. Though commercial competition from Carthage and Alexandria reduced its trade, Cyrene, with its port of Apollonia (Marsa Susa), remained an important urban centre until the earthquake of 365. Ammianus Marcellinus described it in the 4th century as a deserted city, and Synesius, a native of Cyrene, described it in the following century as a vast ruin at the mercy of the nomads.One of the more significant features of the archaeological site of Cyrene is the Temple of Apollo, which was originally constructed as early as 7th century BC. Other ancient structures include a Temple to Deme-ter and a partially unexcavated Temple to Zeus. There is a large necropolis approximately 10 km bet-ween Cyrene and its ancient port of Apollonia.Three main roads divided the ancient urban centre. The Valley Road follows the sloping valley between the two hills to the Sanctuary of Apollo with a monumental entrance, temples, altars, fountains, theatre, and later, Roman-period baths.The second road, named after the city's first king, Battus, connects the still unexcavated acropolis zone with the city gymnasium and Roman-period forum. The third road crosses the main axis of the city east of the forum. At its intersection with the Valley Road were more temples, a basilica, and a series of important Roman-period urban villas. In the northeast corner of the walled city is the impressive Doric temple dedicated to Zeus and the city's still unexcavated circus or hippodrome. An extensive series of necropolis with well-articulated rock-cut tombs line the roads and wadis leading out of the city, especially to the north, south, and west.To the southwest of the city in the Wadi bel Gadir lies the extra-mural Sanctuary to Demeter and Persephone, a recently discovered Greek temple and theatre complex, and the still unexplored south-eastern suburbs and necropolis of Cyrene that run along the main road leading from Cyrene to Balagrae (modern el-Beida).The city, enclosed by a protective circuit of stone defensive walls, has two massive hills that as distinct as they were similar. The southwest hill (on which lie the acropolis, the agora, and forum) is totally free of modern building. The northeast hill is largely covered with the old Arab village of Shahat, the public buildings and the residential quarters. There are also stands of reforested evergreens, and cultivated plough lands, and remains largely unexplored.A great temple to Zeus was built on one of the hills as well as an impressive amphitheatre. On the other hill, the public buildings and the residential quarters were sited. It was also on the hill that the market place was to be found.However, it was the imposing Acropolis, not unlike the one to be found in Athens itself, which dominated and united together the two hills of Cyrene.
JOSEPH CUTAJAR
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