Early Jewish Diaspora Communities: Cyrene

Cyrene came under Ptolemaic rule in 321 BCE and was part of the Egyptian Empire until it fell to the Romans in 96 BCE. After 74 BCE, it became a part of Roman Cyrenaica, the capital of which was Cyrene.

Jews were sent to Cyrene in the early third century BCE by Ptolemy I Soter (r. 323–285 BCE) and were guaranteed civic equality under the Ptolemies. Josephus quotes the ancient Roman historian Strabo’s description of the Jews of Cyrene as one of the city’s four “classes of men.” Strabo goes on to describe the Jews as spread throughout the Roman Empire, noting that there are many in the empire who have adopted their ways and that where the Jews live there is greater prosperity. Josephus also recounts how Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, escaped to Cyrene and tried to incite the Jews of Cyrene to rebellion after Jerusalem fell. Scholars point to this event, among others, to argue that there must have been close relations between Jerusalem and Cyrene. Like other diaspora communities, the Jews of Cyrene sent donations to Jerusalem for the support of the Temple (see “The Temple Tax”).

The Jews of Cyrene participated in the bitter Jewish uprising of 115–117 CE against the Roman Empire. Suppressed finally by the Roman legions, the city of Cyrene was ruined. (See Violence and Revolts in the Diaspora.)