Leptis Magna

Leptis Magna in Tripolitania is one of the most impressive cities of Roman North Africa and the birthplace of Septimius Severus. Its archaeological value lies in the harbour, fora, Severan basilica, theatre, amphitheatre, market, streets, inscriptions and rich urban decoration.

Archaeological complex

The city had a Phoenician-Punic past but became a major African centre in Roman times, especially under the Severans. The old forum, new Severan forum, basilica, nymphaeum, colonnaded street, harbour and entertainment buildings show local elite and imperial power reshaping urban form.

Leptis Magna preserves a major North African urban ensemble: Severan forum, basilica, theatre, market, harbour, streets and baths allow the architectural politics of elite and imperial power to be read. General excavation views are especially important for the scale of the stone cityscape.

Leptis Magna preserves a major North African urban ensemble: Severan forum, basilica, theatre, market, harbour, streets and baths allow the architectural politics of elite and imperial power to be read. General excavation views are especially important for the scale of the stone cityscape.

Leptis Magna preserves a major North African urban ensemble: Severan forum, basilica, theatre, market, harbour, streets and baths allow the architectural politics of elite and imperial power to be read. General excavation views are especially important for the scale of the stone cityscape.

Finds and material setting

Finds include inscriptions, sculpture, architectural decoration, marble, pottery, coins, trade material and funerary monuments. For reconstructing an African city, the harbour and market matter because they connect monumentality with olive oil, countryside, sea and the wealth of local families.

Visual and archaeological evidence is useful here as a check on the prose: it connects visible walls, layout, finds and museum objects with the historical setting. Main evidence groups:

• Severan forum, basilica, theatre, market, harbour, streets and baths;
• marble decoration, inscriptions, statues, coins and harbour pottery;
• evidence for the North African urban elite;
• later rebuilding, sand preservation and site condition.

Visual and archaeological evidence is useful here as a check on the prose: it connects visible walls, layout, finds and museum objects with the historical setting. Main evidence groups:

• Severan forum, basilica, theatre, market, harbour, streets and baths;
• marble decoration, inscriptions, statues, coins and harbour pottery;
• evidence for the North African urban elite;
• later rebuilding, sand preservation and site condition.

Visual and archaeological evidence is useful here as a check on the prose: it connects visible walls, layout, finds and museum objects with the historical setting. Main evidence groups:

• Severan forum, basilica, theatre, market, harbour, streets and baths;
• marble decoration, inscriptions, statues, coins and harbour pottery;
• evidence for the North African urban elite;
• later rebuilding, sand preservation and site condition.

Interpretation and limits

Leptis Magna is especially monumental and tied to the Severan building boom. It should not be taken as an average African town, but it is indispensable for understanding the scale provincial urbanism could reach.

Related topics

• Roman Archaeological Sources
• Roman Empire
• Theatre
• Roman streets
• Roman temples
• Amphorae

Literature

• J. B. Ward-Perkins. The Severan Buildings of Lepcis Magna. London, 1993.
• UNESCO World Heritage: Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna.
• Studies on Tripolitania and Roman North Africa.