Leptis Magna in Libya

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Although only the ruins of its former glory have survived, Leptis Magna is still able to give chills to those who visit it. The ruins are located about 130 km east of Tripoli, in the city of Al-Hums. They are considered today as some of the most beautiful and most imposing Roman ruins in the Mediterranean area. Because of its layout, the place became known as "Rome of Africa."

Leptis Magna, the ancient city of Libya, reached its great development during the Roman Empire. The city was founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 i.Hr, but has developed intensely only when Carthage began to dominate the Mediterranean. It became part of the Roman Empire in 146 BC. The city was incorporated in the province of Africa in 46 BC.

Within a century, due to the generosity of local intellectuals, in the city there was founded the ancient forum, basilica, temple of Liber Pater, the temples of Rome, Augustus and Hercules, and a huge market, which is located not far from the theater. Then, during Trajan’s reign, it was proclaimed a colony.

The city reached its highest development after 193 years, when the twentieth governor of Rome, Septimius Severus led the empire. He was very concerned about Leptis, as it was his hometown, becoming one of the greatest cities of Roman Africa. The city has become one of the richest in the Mediterranean due to the export of ivory, local foods and animals.

In the IIIrd century, because of the crisis in the Empire, the value of Leptis Magna declined, and till the IVth century parts of the city were abandoned. Only during the reign of Emperor Theodosius I the city was able to regain its former importance. In 439, the Leptis Magna, as well as other cities of Tripolitania, was conquered by the vandals. In 523 the city was devastated again, this time as a result of barbarian invasion.

The Byzantine general Belisarius conquered the Leptis Magna in 534, winning over the vandals. Leptis became the provincial capital in Byzantium, but never recovered from the devastation after the attacks of the Berbers. After the Arab conquest in 650s, the town was completely abandoned, with only one Byzantine garrison left there. Now there are preserved unique ruins from that period, which attracts thousands of tourists and researchers. The site became part of UNESCO in 1982.

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By Maria Morari

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