Leptis Magna Reveals Rome’s Legacy on Libya’s Coast

Leptis Magna, on Libya’s Mediterranean coast about 120 kilometers east of Tripoli, is one of the best-preserved major archaeological sites from the Roman world. Founded by the Phoenicians, the city rose to prominence under Roman rule. It prospered through trade, linking Africa and the wider Mediterranean before becoming an important Roman center. Leptis Magna was the birthplace of Emperor Septimius Severus, who oversaw major architectural development that is still evident today. Today, visitors can still see the Arch of Septimius Severus, expansive baths, a forum, basilica, streets, and colonnades. The ancient theater is especially striking, given its blend of Roman architecture and views of the Mediterranean. Many of the city’s architectural details are intact today thanks to dunes, which conferred protection from modern construction and damage. Today, Leptis Magna serves as a symbol of the cultural and economic connections between Africa and the Roman Mediterranean world.