Cyrenaica
/ˌsaɪ.rəˈneɪ.ɪ.kə/noun
A historical region of eastern Libya centered on the ancient Greek city of Cyrene.
Did you know?Ancient tradition connected Cyrene with a Thessalian nymph loved by Apollo, though the name’s deeper pre-Greek origin remains uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Classical Greek tradition
Greek
Kyrene
“The name of Cyrene, possibly preserving a pre-Greek place-name and later associated with a mythic nymph.”
7th Century BCE
Greek
Kyrene
“The Greek name of the colony founded in North Africa by settlers from Thera.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Kyrenaïkē
“The feminine adjective meaning “of or belonging to Cyrene.””
Hellenistic Period
Greek
Cyrenaica
“The regional designation for the territory surrounding Cyrene.”
Roman Period
Latin
Cyrenaica
“The name of the Roman province occupying much of eastern Libya.”
Modern English
English
Cyrenaica
“The historical region of northeastern Libya, also called Barqa or Cyrenaica.”
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