Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Cyrenaean
(751 words)

Abstract

Cyrenaean was the dialect spoken in the Greek cities of Cyrenaica (Eastern Libya) from the 7th c. BCE to the 7th c. CE, known mainly from inscriptions. It was steadily used in official documents until the 2nd c. CE, as part of the proper institutions of the cities, thus resisting to Koine. Cyrenaean belongs to the Doric group, but shows a few distinctive features, especially in the areas of phonetics and of the lexicon. 

Cyrenaean was the dialect of the Greek cities of Cyrenaica (modern Gebel Akhdar, in Eastern Libya). The presence of Gre…

Cite this page
Catherine Dobias-Lalou, “Cyrenaean”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_SIM_00000442>
First published online: 2013



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