Leptis Magna
Leptus Magna is about one and a half hour's drive east of Tripoli. Once leaving the city the country is rolling hills and very picturesque.
Even the first sight of this great Roman city gives the sense of being in a special place. With each turn off the main roads there are large and impressive things to see. Leptus was first founded in 700 BC by the Phoenicians and eventually became a Roman city around 110 BC. It was planned and built to be a showpiece of the Roman Empire. It remained such until the great earthquake of 365 AD, which marked its end as a livable city. This is the entry arch, Arch of Septimus Severus. It spans the junction of two paved roads, the first of which is north-south (under us in this photo), which heads north out to the Mediterranean through the Bazantine Gate seen in the far distance. The east west road connected all the way to Tripoli on the left and to the port, amphitheatre and hippodrome to the right.
The same Arch looking west towards Tripoli. The arch in the distance is the Arch of Antoninus Pius.
About a hundred yards north of the entry arch, a left turn brings you past this remains of the Chalcidicum which housed a small temple honoring Augustus and Venus. In the background is the back of the theatre.
The spectacular Leptus theatre.
The VIP seats are inside this circular wall. The lower seats of the theatre are carved into the natural rock of the site.
This is the dressing room complex behind the stage of the theatre.
Another view of the dressing room complex.
The market.
Another market view.
The Severan Forum view from the steps of the Temple to the Imperal Severan Dynasty. Now filled with parts and pieces of buildings being sorted out and cataloged.
More parts and pieces. Some are very intricate and beautiful.
Faces 1
Faces 2
Faces 3
Faces 4
Surprise! Another face - this time a pretty one.
The Severan Basilica
Altar of the Severan Basilica
Detail
Detail
In praise of Caesar
The dock at the shallow end of the port used for barges transferring goods and personnel from the deeper water docks on the other (East) side of the port.
Looking East with the harbor on the right. The stone mass at the far left side is the remains of what was a 35 meter tall lighthouse.
Panorama with the Hadrianic Baths to the right and the Severan Basilica far left.
The swimming pool of the Hadrianic Baths looking towards the entrance hall and complex containing other baths, cold room, wet room and changing rooms.
The Sweat Bath room.
The Toilet Room. No partitions.. Before Charmin they used water in the groove in the marble above the word "above" in this sentence.
A look back at the Arch of Septimus Severus as we exit this main area of the city. Next we head east about 2 kilometers to the Amphitheatre and Hippodrome.
But first a refreshing drink with my traveling companion, Jan and our driver Zaid.
The awesome Amphitheatre. Carved out of a hillside, this arena seats 16,000 persons.
The acoustics are amazing. Tunnels connect to all of the doorways at the ring level as well as in the stands.
There are holding rooms for the animals (lions), and they enter through the door on the left which is opened by sliding the door up through the groves on either side.
A tunnel connects the Amphitheatre with this very large Hippodrome racetrack. The remains of the marble center of the track show the length around which horses and/or chariots raced. Tiered stone seating covered the entire length of the hillside on this side of the Hippodrome.
A farewell look at the port. The main docks and warehouses to the right. The entire grassed area was once the bottom of the harbor. The famous 35 meter tall lighthouse was on the far side of the harbor entrance, now a truncated tower base. Once a beautiful harbor. Still beautiful.