6th century BCE – 3rd century
Cyrenaica, North Africa
Barce was one of the principal Greek cities of Cyrenaica and a recurrent center of political and military conflict. It was linked to the Battiad monarchy through Arkesilas III’s alliance or control, captured by Persian forces after Pheretime’s appeal for aid, and besieged again in the fifth century BC. Its inhabitants also participated in religious practices influenced by Libyan and Egyptian traditions.
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The Story
Barce occupied an important position within the political world of Cyrenaica. During the reign of Arkesilas III, it was either brought under his control or allied with him, and its ruler Alazeir became the king’s father-in-law. After Arkesilas and Alazeir were assassinated, Pheretime sought Persian military assistance, turning Barce into the target of a major punitive expedition.
Persian forces besieged and captured Barce, while Pheretime punished those accused of murdering her son. A large part of the city’s population was carried into slavery by the Persians. Barce later refused to provide troops for the Persian invasion of Greece in about 483 BC and was besieged and captured for a second time.
Barce also illustrates the cultural entanglement of Greek and Libyan communities in Cyrenaica. Herodotus associated local Egyptian customs among the women of Barce with Libyan transmission, including a prohibition on pork. The city later formed alliances in the conflicts surrounding Thibron and Ptolemaic intervention, demonstrating its continuing importance after the Battiad monarchy.
6th century BCE – 3rd century
Cyrenaica, North Africa
Barce was one of the principal Greek cities of Cyrenaica and a recurrent center of political and military conflict. It was linked to the Battiad monarchy through Arkesilas III’s alliance or control, captured by Persian forces after Pheretime’s appeal for aid, and besieged again in the fifth century BC. Its inhabitants also participated in religious practices influenced by Libyan and Egyptian traditions.
Continue exploring
The Story
Barce occupied an important position within the political world of Cyrenaica. During the reign of Arkesilas III, it was either brought under his control or allied with him, and its ruler Alazeir became the king’s father-in-law. After Arkesilas and Alazeir were assassinated, Pheretime sought Persian military assistance, turning Barce into the target of a major punitive expedition.
Persian forces besieged and captured Barce, while Pheretime punished those accused of murdering her son. A large part of the city’s population was carried into slavery by the Persians. Barce later refused to provide troops for the Persian invasion of Greece in about 483 BC and was besieged and captured for a second time.
Barce also illustrates the cultural entanglement of Greek and Libyan communities in Cyrenaica. Herodotus associated local Egyptian customs among the women of Barce with Libyan transmission, including a prohibition on pork. The city later formed alliances in the conflicts surrounding Thibron and Ptolemaic intervention, demonstrating its continuing importance after the Battiad monarchy.