Cyrene, Cyrenian
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(1 Macc 15:23; Matt 27:32 and elsewhere) - Cyrene was the chief city of Libya in Africa, and the surrounding country took its name. Founded as a Greek colony, the district long had kings of Greek descent, then became a Roman province and was finally joined to Crete. For a time it belonged to Egypt. Ptolemy son of Lagus strengthened it by settling many Jews there, who became a large and influential part of the population. The New Testament first names Cyrene as the native place of Simon, who carried the Lord's cross (Matt 27:32).
Acts also mentions Cyrenians repeatedly (2:10; 6:9; 11:20; 13:1). In the source's day Cyrenaica formed the eastern part of the Ottoman eyalet of Tripoli, and extensive ruins of ancient Cyrene lay near Grenneh in the district of Barca.