BARCA (city in Cyrenaica)
Ancient city of Libya
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Cyrenaica
- People of myth here
- Arcesilaus
- Where
- 32.49° N, 20.87° E
Barca is a city located in Libya, in the vicinity of Cyrene. Herodotus 4.160.1 The brothers of Arcesilaus founded the city of Barce. Herodotus 4.160.1 Persian forces besieged the city for nine months and dug underground passages to reach its defensive walls. Herodotus 4.200.2
Described in the sources
The city formerly known as Barca is now called Ptolemaïs. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.5 ¶1 +1 The Auschisae tribe dwells inland of this city. Herodotus 4.171.1 Barca is located after Taucheira along the coast. Strabo 17.3.20 The city is located twenty-two miles from Arsinoë. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.5 ¶1 It is situated forty miles from the Promontory of Phycus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.5 ¶1 The wild hordes of Barca menace the region where Dido reigns. Aeneid 4.31 Arcesilaus resided at Barce while working toward his own ruin. Herodotus 4.165.1 The promontory extending from Mount Barce is named Surrentium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.1 ¶6 The son of the woman mentioned in the text died at this location. Herodotus 4.165.2 The town of Tauchira is located within the territory of this city. Herodotus 4.171.1
Stories and history
The entire population of Barce claimed responsibility for the killing of Arcesilaus, refused to surrender the individuals responsible, and justified the murder by citing many wrongs committed by Arcesilaus against them. Herodotus 4.167.2 +1 Aryandes sent his troops to Barce after receiving the city's explanation. Herodotus 4.167.2 The founders of Barce persuaded the Libyans to revolt against the Cyrenaeans. Herodotus 4.160.1 Amasis devised a plot to capture the city because it could not be taken by force. Herodotus 4.201.1 The inhabitants of Barca surrendered without fighting due to fear of the Egyptian events. Herodotus 3.13.3 A local blacksmith detected the enemy tunnels by striking a bronze shield against the ground. Herodotus 4.200.2 Persian forces from Egypt besieged the city to demand the surrender of Arcesilaus's murderers. Herodotus 4.200.1 The people of Barca imposed tribute upon themselves and sent gifts as part of their surrender. Herodotus 3.13.3 Amasis dug a wide trench at night and covered it with planks and earth to deceive the defenders. Herodotus 4.201.1