This city is believed to be a colony of Greeks from Thera founded Cyrene in the Seventh Century BC. They were fleeing drought and famine in their native lands and followed the Oracle of Delphi to the Libyan coast. There, they settled this lush fertile hillside site, known as "hole in the sky" for its ample rainfall.
Apollo was riding his extraordinary animal - half human and half a horse - through the Greek lands. Suddenly, he saw a young woman of remarkable beauty who was fighting a lion bare hands. As he stopped to admire her skill in combat, he heard the animal whisper, 'Your fate is to take this beautiful girl over the seas toward the Gardens of Zeus and crown her as queen of a people who will leave their island and go to live on a fertile hill surrounded by plains'.
So Apollo took the people of Thera Island, crossed the sea in primitive boats, settled them on the Green Mountain, and married the lion fighter. Her name was Cyrene and the colony was named after her.
Herodotus
Today, visitors are drawn to its Temples of Zeus, which was originally built in the Sixth Century in the Doric style. Other landmarks are the Temples of Apollo and Bacchus, the Theatre, Acropolis, the Trajan Baths, and the monumental Agora. Cyrene has over a thousands tombs, including that of Cyrene founder, King Battus. These have yielded numerous funeral objects.
Apollonia Susa
This port played an important role in linking Cyrene with the rest of the world. It was from here that cereals and food stuffs were shipped in the Fourth Century to feed ten Greek cities facing famine. Later, the city was known for its export of the medicinal plant silvium.
Visitors to Apollonia may wander for hours amid the extraordinary ruins of the Acropolis, the theater, the baths and the Byzantine churches and palace.
Barca
Barca, also known as El Marj, was established by the fourth King of Cyrene, Arcesilaus II. The city was rich in agricultural products, which were exported from harbor of Ptolemais since the Third Century.
Ptolemais
Ptolemais was founded during the Second Century BC to provide a harbor from which the grain, fruit, and wool of the region were exported. The city received royal attention and was built in a luxurious style.
The site is noted for its remarkable cisterns and has vestiges of the early Christian culture.
Sirte
Known to the ancient world as Marcomades, Sirte was conquered during the reign of Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab. Its fortress became an important station on the caravan routes between Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. Its important Islamic monuments include the remnants of a Fatimid city.
Bayda
Near Bayda lies the Libya Palace, which has yielded excellent mosaics. The site was referred to as Olbia in both ancient and Byzantine sources. It is associated with Theodora, the ex-wife of the governor of Cyrenai, who later married the Emperor Justinian.
Benghazi
Founded in 446 BC as one of the five cities of Cyrenaica, Benghazi developed through the succeeding centuries. Known as Euspiredes to the Greeks, it became Berenice under the Romans and Benghazi under the Muslims.
After Libya's independence, the city was rebuilt and today it is one the most attractive cities in North Africa. The port of Benghazi combines magnificent buildings with large, open spaces. In nearby Suluq stands the mausoleum of Omar Mokhtar, hero of the Libyan resistance during the Italian occupation.
The Mediterranean Coast
Libya offers nearly two thousand kilometers of splendid Mediterranean beaches, and beautiful smaller cities, each having its typical architecture and special characteristics. These include Auwarah, Tubruq, Misratah, Az Zawiyah, Al-Khums, and Zlitan. Every kind of aquatic sport is practiced in the resorts along the coast.
7th c BC
Cyrene founded by settlers from famine-ravaged Thera in Greece
347 BC
Benghazi named "Barneek" after Greek queen of North Africa
5th c BC
Herodotus visits Cyrene
75 BC
Romans declare Cyrenaica a province
4th c BC
Political conflict in Cyrene following death of Alexander the Great
Fair, and 81 ° F. 
