Situated 120km east of Tripoli in modern Libya, Leptis Magna was an important trade centre before and after the Romans. Its buildings demonstrate the wealth of the city in its peak years, before its decline due to natural disaster and invasion.
Roman Tripolitania
Leptis Magna was part of the Roman African province of Tripolitania. Located in modern Libya, the region was named after the three cities which dominated the region: Leptis, Sabratha and Oys, the name for modern Tripoli.
Leptis Magna was the easternmost of the three cities. Sometimes known as Lepcis Magna, it was situated besides a small natural harbour where a wadi or river met the Mediterranean. Originally known as just Leptis, it was named ‘magna’ by its roman conquerors who wished to distinguish it from another Roman African city, Leptis Minor, now modern Sousse in Tunisia
The History of Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna was initially a Punic city founded in the 6th century BC. It became a Roman possession in the first century BC although for much of its time under the Romans it remained self governing.
Leptis Magna was a wealthy city. When the Roman’s conquered it in 46BC, they imposed a levy of 3 million pounds of olive oil. This would have crippled other cities but not Leptis Magna. It’s prosperity was due to its position. Situated in a prominent position on the Mediterranean coast, the city was also on the Saharan trade route for ivory, gold dust, gems, ebony and ostrich feathers which it then exported by sea.
It was as a trade link that it was so important to the Romans. In 23 BC, the city formally became part of the province of Roman Africa. It exported not only its Saharan luxury goods across the empire but also supplied grain vital to Rome and wild beast from the centre of the continent for the Roman games.
Leptis Magna remained prosperous long into the imperial period. It was not the decline of Rome’s fortune’s that led to its fall but a natural disaster. An earthquake in 365AD led to the silting up of the harbour and flooding of the city when the River Lebda broke its restraints. Trade was inhibited and many people left. The weakened city was conquered by the Vandals in 455AD and reached its end after an Arab attack in 643AD.
Leptis Magna was left to the desert and remained buried until it was excavated in the 1920s by Italian archaeologists.
The Layout of Leptis Magna
The Punic city was situated close to the harbour area and had two main roads: one running into the African interior and one east to west coastal road that became the Roman city’s decumanus or main street.
What remains of the city is the result of Roman imperial patronage, which saw the city reconstructed in limestone, marble and granite. The first Roman buildings included the city’s first forum, 6 temples, a basilica and curia as well as the theatre which was built over the old Punic cemetery.
The city underwent massive reconstruction under the patronage of the emperor Hadrian after it was seriously damaged by attacking Berber tribes. The outlying areas were developed, an aqueduct and two cisterns for water storage constructed and the city’s wadi was dammed to prevent flooding. An amphitheatre and circus were also constructed close to the harbour area. The lavish baths of Hadrian were also constructed.
The city reached its peak during the reign of Septimius Severus. A local man born in the city in 146AD, he became emperor in 193AD and was determined to aggrandize his home town. In his reign, an unprecedented amount of building took place, leaving the city with many of its major landmarks.
Important Landmarks of Leptis Magna
Much of the layout and many of the important building of Leptis Magna have been excavated and are on view today. The most spectacular remains include:
- The colonnaded street. Built by Septimus Severus, this street of ornate columns was built as a processional way that ran from the harbour past many of the city’s major buildings, including Hadrian’s baths and the a huge nymphaeum or fountain which faced part of the dam of the River Lebda.
- Hadrian’s baths. Built in 127 AD, they contained not only bathing suites but swimming pools and graceful leisure areas.
- The Tetraphylon. Built in 203 AD, this multiple archway marked the city’s major crossroads. It was decorated with reliefs celebrating Septimius Severus and his family.
- The forum and basilica of Septimius Severus. A 60m wide square complete with temples of the city’s patron gods and the city’s basilica, this lavish civic area replaced the earlier roman forum.
- The Arch of Septimus Severus. Built to commemorate the emperor’s visit to city in 203ad, what stands today was reconstructed from fragments. In places, it has been incorrectly re assembled.
- The Harbour. It is still possible to see lower harbour where ships docked and the higher level s housing administrative and storage buildings. Close by is square podium that was the base for the lighthouse of Leptis Magna.
- The Markets. An enclosed, rectangular area edged by shops, Leptis Magna’s market place has the unusual feature of two circular fish markets in its centre.
Sources:
Leptis Magna: Ancient Civilisation Centres. (2005) Dar Al Anies publishing.
Ancient Cities: The Archaeology of Urban Life in the Ancient Near East and Egypt, Greece and Rome. By Charles Gates (2003) Routledge: London and New York.
Leptis Magna by Oriana Dal Bosca (2004). Ananke: Italy
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