Pentapolis

The term "Pentapolis" refers to a group of five cities, particularly in ancient Cyrenaica (part of Roman North Africa) and other regions like Italy and Asia Minor. In Roman Cyrenaica, the region was eventually divided into two provinces by Diocletian: Libya Superior, also known as Pentapolis (capital Ptolemais), and Libya Inferior, or Sicca.12

The Greek cities in Cyrenaica, including Apollonia, Cyrene, Ptolemais, Taucheira, and Berenice, collectively came to be known as the Pentapolis. This region was prosperous, with its economy based on grain, fruit, horses, and the medicinal plant silphium. While the Roman period in Cyrenaica was largely peaceful, it experienced a significant Jewish rebellion in 115 CE. Later, the province faced challenges from nomadic tribes and the general decline of the empire's security.32