Arcesilaus I of Cyrene

This article is about second Greek king of Cyrenaica. For other uses, see Arcesilaus (disambiguation).

King Arcesilaus watching over the preparation of silphion? Laconian black-figure kylix by the Arkesilas Painter, 560–550 BC

Arcesilaus I or Arcesilaus I of Cyrene (Greek: ο Ἀρκεσίλαος; flourished 7th and 6th century BC) was the second Greek king of Cyrenaica and the second king of the Battiad dynasty.

Ancestry

Arcesilaus was the son of Battus I, the first king of Cyrenaica and Cyrene. Arcesilaus’ paternal grandparents were the Cretan Princess Phronima and the distinguished Therean nobleman called Polymnestus.

Reign

Very little is known on the life and reign of Arcesilaus. He succeeded to the throne after the death of his father in 600 BC. Herodotus says that the number of people in Cyrene during his reign remained equal to the original number of settlers under Battus. Arcesilaus died in 583 BC and was buried near his father.

Offspring

His son, Battus II, succeeded him. Arcesilaus also had a daughter called Critola.

See also

• List of Kings of Cyrene
• Cyrene
• Cyrenaica

Sources

• Herodotus, The Histories, Book 4.
• Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology at Google Books
• Cyrene in A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, by William Smith (1873)

Arcesilaus I of Cyrene Battiad Dynasty Died: 583 BC
Regnal titles
Preceded by Battus I	King of Cyrene 600 BC – 583 BC	Succeeded by Battus II