CYRENE (anc. geog.), the capital of Cyrenaica, and one of the cities called Pentapolis, distant from Apollonia, its sea-port, 10 miles, situated on a plain, of the form of a table, according to Strabo. A colony of the Thecreans. Though they were descendants of the Lacedemonians, yet they differed from them in their turn of mind or disposition, applying themselves to philosophy; and hence arose the Cyrenaic sect, at the head of which was Aristippus, who placed all happiness in pleasure. The Cyreneans were a people much given to aurogation, or the use of the chariot, from their excellent breed of horses, (Pindar, Ephorus, Strabo.)