Cyrene
Herodotus (4.150-159) – 2 stories of Battos’ foundation of Cyrene, written 450-420, founded 200 years prior
Theran Version – “word of the Therans”
Theran-Cyrenian Version – the Cyrenians agree with the Theraeans however disagree with the origins of Battos
The Cyrenian version more of a biography than the entire foundation process – unreliable? A bit wishy-washy?
Could have elaborated the stories to match the oracles he found
Theran-Cyrenian version Therans interested in keeping links with prosperous Cyrene
Accounts tell past to suit present
Accounts are unrealistic (Africa/Crete idea)
Characters names are fitted to their role – story-like
Where did he get his information – orally, visit to Cyrene or Libya? (such in depth knowledge of the stories could only be available from those who live in the location)

The Decree of Cyrene (inscription) written 4th C but is alledgly the original passed by Therans.
“The death penalty would be meted out to anyone who had been chosen to go to the colony who refused or to anyone who harboured such a renegade. The settlers were chosen by lot from families with two or more sons”
Debatable whether accurate representation
The inscription was written in the same century as the decline of Cyrene so could coincide?

* Difficult to reconstruct an exact story of the foundation of Cyrene due to differing accounts and potentially untrue sources * Herodotus narration gives impression that both versions are both factually true however he never really decides which one * All we can factually deduce is that there was an important link with Thera and a starring role for Battos