Cyrene
/saɪˈriːni/noun
An ancient Greek city in present-day northeastern Libya, also known in Greek mythology as the name of a nymph.
Did you know?Greek mythology says Apollo fell in love with the huntress Cyrene after witnessing her fight a lion, then brought her to Libya, where the city was named in her honor.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-5th Century BCE
Libyan/Greek tradition
Kyrene
“The name of the settlement and, in Greek myth, a heroic huntress or nymph; the name's deeper linguistic origin is uncertain.”
7th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Κυρήνη (Kyrḗnē)
“Greek name for the North African colony founded by settlers from Thera.”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
Kyrene
“A major Greek city associated with the surrounding region and the philosophical Cyrenaic school.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Cyrene
“Latin form of the city's Greek name.”
Medieval–Modern English
English
Cyrene
“The conventional English name for the ancient city and the mythological figure.”