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Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony and Roman city located in present-day Tunisia, forming part of a group of five significant cities known as the Pentapolis.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that Cyrene was located in northeastern Libya, near present-day Shahhat, not Tunisia.
Cyrene was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and was later added to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017 due to preservation threats.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cyrene was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and added to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017 due to significant threats to its preservation.
The port of Cyrene, known as Apollonia, was situated directly adjacent to the city's eastern gate.
Answer: False
Explanation: The port of Cyrene, Apollonia, was located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the city, not directly adjacent to its eastern gate.
Which of the following best describes Cyrene's geographical location?
Answer: A significant urban center in northeastern Libya, near present-day Shahhat.
Explanation: Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony and Roman city located in northeastern Libya, near present-day Shahhat.
What is the primary reason Cyrene was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017?
Answer: It was facing significant threats to its preservation.
Explanation: Cyrene was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017 due to significant threats to its preservation.
Modern scholars universally agree that the name 'Cyrene' originated from a legendary Thessalian princess, as attributed by the Greeks themselves.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Greeks attributed the name to a legendary Thessalian princess, modern scholars suggest other origins, such as the spring Cyra, or a local Libu/Garamantian name, indicating there is not universal agreement on the legendary origin.
Archaeological evidence confirms extensive Minoan and Mycenaean settlements at Cyrene during the Bronze Age, predating Greek arrival.
Answer: False
Explanation: Archaeological evidence for Minoan and Mycenaean presence at Cyrene consists only of isolated finds, not extensive settlements, and these could have been brought later, not necessarily predating Greek arrival as established settlements.
According to Greek historical traditions, Cyrene was founded in 631 BC by a group of Cretan Greeks from Thera, led by Battus I, following a directive from the Oracle of Delphi.
Answer: True
Explanation: Greek historical traditions, including those documented by Herodotus, confirm that Cyrene was founded in 631 BC by Cretan Greeks from Thera, led by Battus I, following a directive from the Oracle of Delphi.
Early pottery finds at Cyrene indicate that the initial Greek settlers primarily originated from Athens and Corinth.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early pottery finds at Cyrene indicate that the initial Greek settlers originated from Thera, Sparta, Samos, and Rhodes, not primarily from Athens and Corinth.
During the Archaic period, Cyrene's power grew under the Battiad dynasty, culminating in a victory against the Egyptian pharaoh Apries at the Battle of Irasa.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the Archaic period, Cyrene's power did grow under the Battiad dynasty, and they achieved a decisive victory against the Egyptian pharaoh Apries at the Battle of Irasa.
Demonax of Mantinea's reforms in Cyrene significantly increased the king's political authority and abolished the division of citizens into tribes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Demonax of Mantinea's reforms limited the king's authority to religious matters and vested political power in the people, also dividing Cyreneans into three tribes, thus not increasing the king's authority or abolishing tribal divisions.
Cyrene was definitively conquered by the Persians in 515 BC after the Achaemenid governor Aryandes sacked Barca.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Aryandes sacked Barca in 515 BC, Herodotus' account is ambiguous regarding Cyrene's definitive conquest by the Persians, and archaeological evidence only suggests a destroyed extramural temple, not a full conquest.
According to Greek historical traditions, who led the founding of Cyrene in 631 BC?
Answer: Battus I
Explanation: Greek historical traditions state that Cyrene was founded in 631 BC by a group of Cretan Greeks from Thera, led by Battus I.
Which of the following archaeological findings supports the Greek settlement of Cyrene in the mid-7th century BC?
Answer: Early pottery from Thera, Sparta, Samos, and Rhodes.
Explanation: Archaeological evidence, particularly ceramic finds from Thera, Sparta, Samos, and Rhodes, confirms that Greek settlement in Cyrene began in the mid-7th century BC.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Irasa around 570 BC, involving Cyrene?
Answer: A decisive victory for Cyrene against the Egyptian pharaoh Apries.
Explanation: Cyrene achieved a decisive victory against the Egyptian pharaoh Apries at the Battle of Irasa around 570 BC.
The primary economic foundation of Cyrene during the Classical period was its extensive olive oil production, which was depicted on its coinage.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary economic foundation of Cyrene during the Classical period was the cultivation and export of silphium, which was depicted on its coinage, not olive oil production.
The Cyrenean monarchy was abolished shortly after Arcesilaus IV's victories in the Pythian and Olympic Games, and the tomb of Battus I was destroyed.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Cyrenean monarchy was indeed abolished sometime after Arcesilaus IV's victories in the Pythian and Olympic Games, and the tomb of Battus I was destroyed.
In the late 5th century BC, a figure named Ariston established a stable oligarchy in Cyrene, leading to a period of peace and prosperity.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the late 5th century BC, Ariston seized control, executing citizens and exiling others, and civic conflict continued into the 4th century BC, indicating a period of instability, not a stable oligarchy or peace and prosperity.
Cyrene avoided Macedonian control by sending an embassy to declare friendship when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 331 BC.
Answer: True
Explanation: When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 331 BC, Cyrene sent an embassy to declare friendship, thereby avoiding Macedonian control.
Cyrene came under Ptolemaic control after Ptolemy I Soter's general Ophellas occupied the city and established a new, heavily oligarchic constitution.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cyrene came under Ptolemaic control when Ptolemy I Soter's general Ophellas occupied the city and established a new, heavily oligarchic constitution.
Magas's reign in Cyrene was marked by his unwavering loyalty to his half-brother Ptolemy II and successful military campaigns against the Seleucid Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Magas crowned himself king, refusing to submit to his half-brother Ptolemy II, and supported the Seleucid king Antiochus I in an unsuccessful invasion of Egypt, indicating a lack of unwavering loyalty and unsuccessful campaigns against Ptolemy II, not the Seleucid Empire.
Cyrene returned to direct Ptolemaic control when Magas's daughter Berenice married Ptolemy III in 246 BC.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cyrene returned to direct Ptolemaic control when Magas's daughter Berenice married Ptolemy III in 246 BC.
Ptolemy Apion bequeathed Cyrene to the Roman Republic upon his death without heirs in 96 BC.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ptolemy Apion bequeathed Cyrene to the Roman Republic upon his death without heirs in 96 BC.
What was the primary economic driver for Cyrene's prosperity during the Classical period?
Answer: The cultivation and export of silphium.
Explanation: During the Classical period, Cyrene's prosperity was largely due to its chief local export, silphium.
How did Cyrene avoid Macedonian control when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 331 BC?
Answer: By sending an embassy to declare friendship.
Explanation: When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 331 BC, Cyrene sent an embassy to declare friendship, thus avoiding Macedonian control.
Who was the Spartan mercenary leader who invaded Cyrenaica in 324 BC, capturing Cyrene's port?
Answer: Thibron
Explanation: The Spartan mercenary leader Thibron invaded Cyrenaica in 324 BC, capturing Cyrene's port.
What significant action did Magas take in 276 BC during his reign in Cyrene?
Answer: He crowned himself king, refusing to submit to Ptolemy II.
Explanation: In 276 BC, Magas crowned himself king, refusing to submit to his half-brother Ptolemy II.
How did Cyrene return to direct Ptolemaic control after Magas's death?
Answer: Through the marriage of Magas's daughter Berenice to Ptolemy III.
Explanation: Cyrene returned to direct Ptolemaic control when Magas's daughter Berenice married Ptolemy III in 246 BC.
Who was the last Ptolemaic ruler to govern Cyrene as a separate kingdom before it passed to Rome?
Answer: Ptolemy Apion
Explanation: Ptolemy Apion was the last Ptolemaic ruler to govern Cyrene as a separate kingdom before it passed to Rome upon his death in 96 BC.
The Romans immediately sent a governor to Cyrene after inheriting it in 96 BC to establish firm control.
Answer: False
Explanation: After inheriting Cyrene in 96 BC, the Romans initially paid little attention to the territory, and the first Roman governor was not sent until 74 BC.
Cyrenaica became a Roman province between 67 and 30 BC, and Cyrene experienced significant prosperity and construction during the 1st century AD.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cyrenaica became a Roman province between 67 and 30 BC, and Cyrene did experience significant prosperity and construction during the 1st century AD.
The Diaspora revolt of 115 AD led to the destruction of nearly all buildings in Cyrene and a severe depopulation of Libya.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Jewish Diaspora revolt of 115 AD severely affected Cyrene, leading to the sacking of the city, destruction of nearly all buildings, and depopulation of Libya.
Cyrene's economy began to decline in the mid-3rd century AD, a process exacerbated by an earthquake in 262 AD and raids by the Marmaritae.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cyrene's economy began to decline in the mid-3rd century AD, a process exacerbated by the 262 AD earthquake and raids by the Marmaritae.
After the 262 AD earthquake, Cyrene's civic center shifted south to the 'Street of Battus,' and a new defensive wall enclosed the entire city.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the 262 AD earthquake, Cyrene's civic center shifted north to 'Valley Street,' and a new defensive wall only enclosed the western half of the city, not the entire city.
The 365 AD earthquake completely devastated Cyrene, leading to its immediate abandonment, as described by Ammianus Marcellinus.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the 365 AD earthquake was major, archaeological findings suggest the damage was overstated by Ammianus Marcellinus, and many buildings were rebuilt, indicating the city was not immediately abandoned.
Cyrene was abandoned immediately after the Arab conquest in 643 AD, and its ancient name was lost to history.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cyrene fell under Arab conquest in 643 AD and was abandoned at some point thereafter, but its ancient name persisted, being known as 'Grennah' in the 19th century, meaning the name was not lost.
The Roman surveying campaign in Cyrene during the mid-1st century AD aimed to identify new areas for agricultural expansion.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Roman surveying campaign in Cyrene during the mid-1st century AD aimed to reclaim public land that had ceased paying taxes to the state, not to identify new areas for agricultural expansion.
When did Cyrenaica, including Cyrene, become part of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrenaica?
Answer: Between 67 and 30 BC
Explanation: Cyrenaica, including Cyrene, became part of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrenaica sometime between 67 and 30 BC.
What was the primary impact of the Jewish Diaspora revolt of 115 AD on Cyrene?
Answer: The city was sacked and nearly all its buildings were destroyed.
Explanation: The Jewish Diaspora revolt of 115 AD led to Cyrene being sacked and nearly all its buildings destroyed, severely depopulating the region.
What significant event occurred in Cyrene in 262 AD that accelerated its economic decline?
Answer: A devastating earthquake.
Explanation: An earthquake in 262 AD destroyed much of Cyrene and accelerated its economic decline.
What was the name given to Cyrene by Emperor Claudius Gothicus after its restoration?
Answer: Claudiopolis
Explanation: Emperor Claudius Gothicus restored Cyrene after the 262 AD earthquake and renamed it Claudiopolis.
What was the purpose of the Roman surveying campaign in Cyrene during the mid-1st century AD?
Answer: To reclaim public land that had ceased paying taxes to the state.
Explanation: The Roman surveying campaign in Cyrene during the mid-1st century AD aimed to reclaim public land that had ceased paying taxes to the state.
The archaeological site of Cyrene includes extensive remains such as monumental temples, theatres, and bathhouses, and is surrounded by a large ancient burial ground.
Answer: True
Explanation: The archaeological remains at Cyrene include monumental temples, theatres, and bathhouses, and the city is surrounded by the extensive Necropolis of Cyrene.
The first systematic excavations at Cyrene were conducted by Frederick and Richard Beechey in the mid-19th century, with their findings primarily going to the British Museum.
Answer: False
Explanation: Frederick and Richard Beechey produced the first site plans in 1821-1822, but the first systematic excavations were undertaken by Robert Murdoch Smith and E. A. Porcher in 1860 and 1861, with their findings largely going to the British Museum.
The 'Venus of Cyrene,' a headless marble statue, was discovered by Italian soldiers in 1913 and remained in Rome until its return to Libya in 2008.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Venus of Cyrene,' a headless marble statue, was discovered by Italian soldiers in 1913 and remained in Rome until its return to Libya in 2008.
Who produced the first site plans of Cyrene in 1821-1822?
Answer: Frederick and Richard Beechey
Explanation: Frederick and Richard Beechey produced the first site plans of Cyrene in 1821-1822.
What significant artifact, now housed in the British Museum, was discovered during early modern excavations at Cyrene, alongside the Apollo of Cyrene?
Answer: A colossal bronze head of an African man
Explanation: Early modern excavations at Cyrene yielded the Apollo of Cyrene and a unique colossal bronze head of an African man, both now in the British Museum.
Cyrene was a significant Jewish center during the Hellenistic period, evidenced by the author Jason of Cyrene, whose work was abridged into 2 Maccabees.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cyrene was a significant Jewish center during the Hellenistic period, and Jason of Cyrene's five-volume work was indeed abridged into 2 Maccabees.
What is the significance of Jason of Cyrene in the context of Jewish intellectual history?
Answer: He authored a five-volume work that was abridged into 2 Maccabees.
Explanation: Jason of Cyrene authored a five-volume work that was later abridged to become the deuterocanonical book 2 Maccabees, highlighting Cyrene's importance as a Jewish intellectual center.
Which philosophical school originated in Cyrene?
Answer: The School of Cyrene (Cyrenaics)
Explanation: Cyrene was the birthplace of the School of Cyrene, also known as the Cyrenaics.