| Registration Classification | Cultural Heritage (Heritage in Crisis 2016-) |
| Registration Criteria | (2), (3), (6) |
| Year of registration | 1982 |
Cyrene is an archaeological site in the Cyrenaica region of northeastern Libya and was once one of the major Greek cities.Later it became a Roman colony, but prospered greatly until the earthquake of 365. After eventually declining, it was discovered in the 18th century and maintained as an archaeological site.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains in simple terms why Archaeological Site of Cyrene is a World Heritage Site. Read this and you will definitely learn more about Cyrene!
What is Archaeological Site of Cyrene?
A vast archaeological site located in what is now northeastern Libya, facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is said to have been built by the Greeks of Thēra (Santorini) around 630 BC. Legend has it that the island of Thēra at that time was suffering from famine, and they settled on this island under the trust of Apollo, the sun god.The town was then named after Cyrene, a spring dedicated to Apollo.
The town prospered greatly because of its location between the great powers of Egypt and Carthage (today’s northern Tunisia), as well as its trading relations with the Greek cities. However, it gradually fell into decline when it was uniformed by Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C. and ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt. At this time, the city became more famous as an academic city than as a trading city. It is especially known as the city that produced Eratosthenes, who measured the size of the earth for the first time in human history.
In 74, the city became one of the Roman provinces, but was destroyed in a confrontation between the Greek and Jewish inhabitants.Later, however, it was rebuilt in Roman style; in the 4th century, a major earthquake occurred, and in the 7th century, an attack by the Muslims completely destroyed the town. Until its discovery in the 19th century, the town was buried under sand.
As an archaeological site, it is quite large, with an acropolis (a hilltop citadel) second only to Athens and Syracuse, and many artifacts from the Hellenistic period have been discovered.The Temple of Zeus, in particular, is lined with Doric columns and is said to be the largest Greek temple in North Africa.
Heritage in Crisis
The site has been listed as a World Heritage Site in Crisis (World Heritage Site in Danger) since 2016 due to political instability.
For what reasons is the archaeological site of Cyrene on the World Heritage List?
Culene was evaluated on the following points
Registration Criteria (ii)
The fact that they traded and interacted with many cities and nations, not just Greek cities, such as Egypt and Carthage (now northern Tunisia).
Registration Criteria (iii)
Cyrene, discovered in the 18th century, is well preserved, which means that the town’s development from a former Greek colony can still be seen today.
Registration Criteria (vi)
That it also had aspects as an academic city, such as producing Eratosthenes, who was the first to measure the size of the earth.
World Heritage Mania Conclusions and Impressions
Cyrene was a major trading city created by migrants from Santorini, and was so prosperous that it traded not only with other Greek cities, but also with ancient Egypt and Carthage, etc. Since it almost collapsed in the 4th century, it is well preserved and we can still see today what it was when Cyrene was prosperous. As a Roman colony, it is rated as a reconstructed Greek city.
Incidentally, Cyrene became a goddess in Greek mythology, a lover of Apollo and a poor soul who was forcibly brought to Africa.
*The contents here are considerations derived through research by World Heritage enthusiasts. As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.
