About an hour east of Tripoli lies the ruins of a Roman town called Leptis Magna. It is one of 3 coastal towns that the Romans once inhabited. Thanks to it being covered by sand dunes over many hundreds of years, the town has been preserved and is now one of the major tourist destinations in Libya. The Desert Rat and I recently visited the site. It is quite amazing - firstly as it is so big - have a look on google maps - and secondly because of the detail. It was quite an important site in North Africa during Roman times.
Arch of Septimus Severus - he was a local boy done good. Septimus Severus was the first North African born Roman emperor.
Road at Leptis
Who reads Ancient Roman?
The most important part of town - the communal dunnies!!
The Theatre at Leptis
One of a series of faces found in the Forum
Wine Bar in the Forum (mmm.... wine!!)
Pillars in the bath area
Now I don't think the detail is too over the top - we are thinking of getting some carving done in the Camel House!!!
One of the most amazing things at the Leptis Magna site is a couple of kilometres out of the actual town (eastwards). The circus where they used to have the gladiator fights and which has been beautifully preserved and restored in part. We came in from the top and climbed down to the centre, where you can still see the trap doors in the floor and can walk through the tunnels from where they brought the wild animals. It was an amazing experience. You can see this on Google Maps too -
From
Sahara Gal!!
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