Leptis Magna Ruins

Leptis Magna Ruins

Leptis was a historic and cultural city in Libya, a North African country. The scale and remarkably well-preserved ancient Roman ruins here often astonish first-time visitors. Stepping into the 2.5-square-kilometer expanse of ancient Roman remains, the first sight to greet you is the majestic Arch of Septimius Severus. The arch is named after the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and is said to have been built to welcome his triumphant return in 202 AD after defeating the Parthians in the East. Constructed from massive limestone blocks, the four-sided arch stands over 20 meters high, featuring a simple yet powerful design. Marble reliefs once adorned the stone walls, some of which can still be faintly seen—many depicting goddesses and warriors from the Roman era.

Before the arrival of Roman rulers, Leptis was territory of the Carthaginians, who were skilled traders and used the city as a trade hub connecting Africa and the Mediterranean region. It was a splendid city made of marble, with exquisite, towering marble columns scattered throughout the ruins of streets, theaters, markets, and temples. All the buildings were also combinations of limestone and marble—even the squat toilets in the restrooms and the fish-cutting boards used by market vendors were made from single pieces of marble. Marble is not native to North Africa, and archaeologists believe the marble used in the ancient city may have come from Egypt or the eastern Mediterranean coast, while others suggest it might have been ballast from Roman ships. Regardless, it stands as a testament to the might of the ancient Romans.

The city was built with extreme luxury—for example, its bathhouses featured three types of pools (cold, warm, and hot), along with specialized waterproof stone and heating rooms. The marketplaces had intricately carved steps and corridors everywhere. It’s said that carvings and columns from Leptis can be found in landmarks such as Windsor Castle in the UK, the Louvre in France, and even St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Malta. In 1912, during Italy’s occupation of Libya, large-scale excavations were carried out at Leptis. After Libya gained independence, further maintenance work was done on the ancient city. In 1982, UNESCO designated it a “World Heritage Site” and allocated substantial funding for its protection and restoration. Libya’s antiquities department adhered to the principle of “restoring the old as old”—damaged walls were patched with plain red bricks. The remnants of eaves, columns, statues, houses, stone pillars, and reliefs were carefully stacked in their original forms. Throughout the vast ancient city, there isn’t a trace of cement or reinforced concrete, no vendors, let alone commercial facilities like stalls or cafés. Were it not for modern-dressed tourists walking by from time to time, one could almost feel as though they had traveled back to Roman times.