Leptis Magna

A principal city of Roman North Africa (now Libya), the largest city of the ancient Tripolis. The original settlement was by the Phoenicians during the 6th century BC, then Carthaginian and Numidian, later becoming Romanized under emperor Augustus and colonized by emperor Trajan; it was the birthplace of Septimius Severus. Among the ruins are a theater, forum, basilica curia, circus, gate, arches, amphitheater, and the Hunting Baths -- particularly well-preserved after its 7th-century (following Arab conquest) decline by desert sand. The earliest remains are from the Augustan age, and the site is important as evidence for the early development of Roman North African provincial architecture.

[also Lepcis (from Punic Lpdy or Lpqy)\. Principal city of Roman North Africa in Libya, particularly well-preserved after its 7th-century decline by the intrusion of the desert sand. It was known to imperial Rome as the birthplace of the Emperor Septimus Severus (193-211) whose Latin was apparently marred by a distinct African burr. Ilie settlement was founded probably before 600 bc, by Semitic, Punic-speaking colonists from Phoenicia, who exploited its agricultural and trading potential. Successively Carthaginian (until 146 BC), Numidian (until 46 BC), and then Roman, the town long retained its Punic language, constitution and religion. Roman domination brought great prosperity and expansion under the Empire, until 5th-century Vandals, 7th-century Arabs and the desert brought ultimate decline. The earliest remains are from the Augustan age, and the site is important as evidence for the early development of Roman North African provincial architecture. Notable are the Augustan Old Forum, macellum and theatre; Hadrianic baths with marble latrines (126-7 ad); and Severan Hunting Baths and Forum (c200 ad).