(Ghrennah), the capital of Cyrenaica, was situated on the northern slope of a lofty table-land nearly 2000 feet above the level of the sea, from which it was 10 miles distant. It was the first town of Cyrenaica founded by Battus and his Therian followers (see CYRENAICA), and very soon rose into great importance as a commercial mart. The policy of Battus led him to conciliate the aboriginal tribes of Libya, with whom his subjects began at an early period to form matrimonial alliances. In a short time the intimixture of African blood was so general that the royal family itself became affected by it. The natives, however, as in all colonies formed on the principles of Spartan policy, were scrupulously excluded from any participation in the government of the state. For eight generations, as had been foretold by the Delphic oracle, Cyrene continued to be governed by the dynasty of Battus, whose kings ruled under the names of Battus and Arcesilaus alternately. After this family had occupied the throne for 200 years, the kingly government was overthrown and a republic substituted. Cyrenaica now became an appanage of the Egyptian crown; and the Ptolemies, carrying out their usual policy, fostered Apollonia, the port of Cyrene, to such an extent that the latter city soon fell into decay. In later days, Cyrene was known as a Roman province under the name of Flavia.

Cyrene was noted among the ancients for the intellectual vitality of its inhabitants. Callimachus the poet, and Car- neades the founder of the New Academy at Athens, were natives of Cyrene, which at an early period was noted for its medical school. Synesius, surnamed the Philosopher, one of the most elegant of the ancient Christian writers, was also a native of Cyrene. Aristippus, a pupil of Socrates, founded a school of philosophy, which, from the birthplace of the founder, was called the Cyrenaic School. The ruins of the town, to which the Turks have given the name of Ghrennah, are still distinctly visible. They cover a great extent of ground, but have been sadly defaced by the va- rious races which have overrun the country.