# Byzantine Tower, Cyrene

> Fortification/wall/gate/tower in Libya

**Wikidata**: [Q104671462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104671462)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/byzantine-tower-cyrene

## Summary
The Byzantine Tower in Cyrene is a fortification structure identified as a wall, gate, and tower located in Libya. Situated on the Acropolis ridge along the Street of Battos, it serves as a component of the Mid-Roman defences within the ancient city. The site stands at an elevation of 616 meters and is also classified as a Late defensive Tower.

## Key Facts
*   **Entity Type:** Fortification / Wall / Gate / Tower.
*   **Alternative Name:** Late defensive Tower.
*   **Location:** Libya (specifically within the city of Cyrene, Cyrenaica).
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 32.81822666666667, Longitude 21.857293333333335.
*   **Elevation:** 616 meters above sea level.
*   **Parent Locations:** Part of the Acropolis ridge, the Street of Battos, and the Libyan Archaeological Guides region of Cyrenaica.
*   **Physical Feature:** Located on the Mid-Roman defences of Cyrene.
*   **Identifiers:**
    *   Heritage Gazetteer of Libya ID: 997.
    *   Snarc ID: Giessen Government Region.
*   **Classification:** Structured properties classify the entity as an instance of a "city" and "ancient city," linked to the large human settlement class with a sitelink count of 252.

## FAQs
**Where is the Byzantine Tower located within Cyrene?**
The tower is situated on the Acropolis ridge in Cyrene, specifically associated with the Street of Battos. It is physically located on the Mid-Roman defences of the city.

**What is the specific geographical data for the Byzantine Tower?**
The structure is positioned at an elevation of 616 meters, with coordinates at 32.81822666666667 latitude and 21.857293333333335 longitude.

**How is the Byzantine Tower identified in heritage records?**
It is recorded in the Heritage Gazetteer of Libya with the ID value 997. Additionally, it is referenced under the Snarc ID "Giessen Government Region."

## Why It Matters
The Byzantine Tower is a significant structural component of the Cyrene archaeological landscape, representing the evolution of urban defense from the Mid-Roman period into the Byzantine era. Its location on the Acropolis ridge and integration with the Street of Battos highlights the strategic planning utilized to protect the city's high ground. As a "Late defensive Tower," it provides crucial insight into the fortification architecture of ancient Cyrenaica. The site's inclusion in the Libyan Archaeological Guides and the Heritage Gazetteer of Libya underscores its recognized status as a protected and historically valuable monument within the region.

## Notable For
*   **Strategic Elevation:** Positioned at a significant height of 616 meters above sea level.
*   **Complex Classification:** Unique categorization in source data as both a specific fortification (tower/wall/gate) and an instance of a broader "ancient city."
*   **Defensive Integration:** Being a distinct part of the "Mid-Roman defences" while bearing a "Late defensive" alias, suggesting a long history of utility.
*   **Specific Urban Placement:** Direct association with the Street of Battos, a specific feature within the Cyrene city plan.

## Body

### Geographical Context and Location
The Byzantine Tower is located in the region of Cyrenaica, Libya. It is geographically positioned at 32.81822666666667 latitude and 21.857293333333335 longitude. The site is elevated at 616 meters above sea level, placing it prominently on the Acropolis ridge of Cyrene. This positioning integrates the tower directly into the urban layout of the ancient city, specifically connecting it to the Street of Battos.

### Architectural and Defensive Role
Classified in raw descriptions as a fortification, wall, gate, and tower, this structure serves multiple defensive functions. It is explicitly identified as a "Late defensive Tower" in alias records. The tower is not an isolated structure but is located on the physical feature known as the Mid-Roman defences of Cyrene. This suggests the tower was either a later addition to the existing Roman fortifications or a specific component of the perimeter that was reinforced during the Byzantine period.

### Administrative and Heritage Data
The entity falls under the administrative classification of the Giessen Government Region in terms of Snarc ID identification. It holds a distinct record in the Heritage Gazetteer of Libya, assigned the value 997 (referenced via `https://www.slsgazetteer.org/997`). The structured properties list the entity as an "instance_of" a city and ancient city, linking it to a broader class of large human settlements that have a sitelink count of 252 in connected databases. It is also categorized under the "Libyan Archaeological Guides" as part of the Cyrene and Cyrenaica collection.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.slsgazetteer.org/997)