7th century BCE – 5th century BCE
Cyrenaica
The hereditary monarchy established at Cyrene by Aristoteles Battos and maintained by the Battiadai for eight generations. Its rulers expanded Greek settlement, controlled agricultural land and silphion commerce, and confronted repeated conflicts with Libyan communities, Egypt, and internal rivals before constitutional change reduced royal power.
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The Story
The political institutions of Thera were reproduced in the colony of Cyrene. Aristoteles, the settlement’s founder, assumed the title or surname Battos, described as a Libyan word for king. He was said to have ruled for forty years, probably beginning with the first settlement on Platea around 639 BC, and was succeeded by his son Arkesilas.
The Battiadai ruled Cyrene for eight generations, with kings bearing the alternating names Battos and Arkesilas. Under Battos II, surnamed Eudaimon, the city expanded rapidly after new settlers were invited from Crete, the Aegean islands, and the Peloponnese. This expansion required land taken from the Asbystai and provoked resistance under their king Adikran.
The monarchy experienced severe internal and external conflict under Arkesilas II, called Chalepos. His brothers founded Barce, encouraged Libyan revolt, and helped produce a military catastrophe at Leukon. Subsequent palace violence involving Laarchos, Eryxo, Polyarchos, and the young Battos exposed the fragility of royal authority and led to constitutional reforms under Battos III.
7th century BCE – 5th century BCE
Cyrenaica
The hereditary monarchy established at Cyrene by Aristoteles Battos and maintained by the Battiadai for eight generations. Its rulers expanded Greek settlement, controlled agricultural land and silphion commerce, and confronted repeated conflicts with Libyan communities, Egypt, and internal rivals before constitutional change reduced royal power.
Continue exploring
The Story
The political institutions of Thera were reproduced in the colony of Cyrene. Aristoteles, the settlement’s founder, assumed the title or surname Battos, described as a Libyan word for king. He was said to have ruled for forty years, probably beginning with the first settlement on Platea around 639 BC, and was succeeded by his son Arkesilas.
The Battiadai ruled Cyrene for eight generations, with kings bearing the alternating names Battos and Arkesilas. Under Battos II, surnamed Eudaimon, the city expanded rapidly after new settlers were invited from Crete, the Aegean islands, and the Peloponnese. This expansion required land taken from the Asbystai and provoked resistance under their king Adikran.
The monarchy experienced severe internal and external conflict under Arkesilas II, called Chalepos. His brothers founded Barce, encouraged Libyan revolt, and helped produce a military catastrophe at Leukon. Subsequent palace violence involving Laarchos, Eryxo, Polyarchos, and the young Battos exposed the fragility of royal authority and led to constitutional reforms under Battos III.
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