Editing Cyrene, Libya (section)

===Archaic period===
After its foundation, the city was ruled by a series of monarchs descended from Battus I. Over the course of the sixth century BC, Cyrene grew to become the most powerful city in the region.{{sfn|Rosamilia|2023|p=21}} In the first half of the sixth century BC, [[Battus II of Cyrene|Battus II]] encouraged further Greek settlement in the city, especially from the [[Peloponnese]] and Crete. This sparked conflict with the indigenous Libyans, whose king [[Adicran]] appealed to Egypt for help around 570 BC. The [[pharaoh]] [[Apries]] launched a military expedition against Cyrene, but was decisively defeated at the Battle of Irasa.{{sfn|Clayton |2006|pages=195–197}}{{sfn|Kenrick|2013|p=2}}{{sfn|Rosamilia|2023|p=19}} 
[[File:Arkesilas Painter - Arkesilas supervising the silphion trade - Paris BnF CabMed 189 - 02.jpg|thumb|[[Arcesilaus II of Cyrene|Arcesilaus II]] oversees the weighing of [[silphium]] for export, on a Laconian [[kylix]], ca. 565-560 BC.]]
According to Herodotus, conflict with king [[Arcesilaus II of Cyrene|Arcesilaus II]] "the Cruel" (ca. 560-550 BC) led his brothers to leave the city and found the city of [[Barca (ancient city)|Barca]] to the west. Archaeological evidence shows that Greek presence at Barca predates this foundation, going back to the seventh century.{{sfn|Kenrick|2013|p=68}} Arcesilaus was defeated by the Barcans and Libyans at the Battle of Leuco, killed by his brother and succeeded by his infant son [[Battus III]] (ca. 550-530 BC), under whom Cyrene continued to suffer from continued internal conflict.{{sfn|Rosamilia|2023|p=20}} This was resolved through a reform of the city's laws by [[Demonax (lawmaker)|Demonax]] of [[Mantinea]].{{sfn|Kenrick|2013|p=3}} These reforms appear to have limited the authority of the king to religious matters, vested political power in the Cyrenaean people, and divided the Cyreneans into three [[phyle|tribes]]. He may also have mediated a peace with Barca and introduced [[trial by combat]].{{sfn|Rosamilia|2023|p=20}}  

Battus III's son [[Arcesilaus III of Cyrene|Arcesilaus III]] (ca. 530-515 BC) attempted to revoke Demonax's constitution and was driven into exile. He returned with an army from [[Samos]] and regained control but forced out once more and was assassinated at Barca. His mother [[Pheretime]] appealed to the [[Achaemenid]] governor of Egypt, [[Aryandes]], who besieged and sacked Barca in 515 BC. According to Herodotus, Aryandes marched his troops through Cyrene and then, regretting that he had not taken the opportunity to conquer Cyrene, attempted to get back in, but was prevented. The story is strange; it may be that the city was actually conquered by the Persians.{{sfn|Kenrick|2013|p=3}}{{sfn|Rosamilia|2023|p=21}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Ray |first=John D. |author-link1=John D. Ray|editor-last1=Boardman |editor-first1=John |editor-last2=Hammond |editor-first2=N.D.L. |editor-first3=D.M. |editor-last3=Lewis |editor-last4= Ostwald |editor-first4=M. |title=The Cambridge Ancient History, vol. IV – Persia, Greece and the Western Mediterranean c. 525 to 479 B.C. |edition=2nd |publisher=Cambridge University Press |date=2006 |chapter=Egypt, 525–404 B.C. |isbn=0-521-22804-2 |page=266}}</ref> Remains of an extramural temple destroyed by the Persians at this time have been found.{{sfn|Kenrick|2013|p=242}}