The Leptis Magna Ruins

　　The ancient city of Leptis was a historic and cultural city in Libya, a North African country. Its vast and well-preserved Roman ruins almost astonish every first-time visitor. Stepping into the 2.5-square-kilometer expanse of Roman ruins, the first sight to greet you is the majestic Arch of Septimius. Named after the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, the arch 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 tetrapylon-style arch rises over 20 meters high, featuring a simple yet powerful design. Faint traces of marble reliefs still adorn the stone walls, depicting figures mostly of Roman goddesses and warriors.

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

　　The ancient city was built with extreme luxury—there were baths equipped with three types of pools (cold, warm, and hot), along with specialized waterproof stone and heating rooms. In the markets, elaborately carved steps and corridors could be seen everywhere. It is said that traces of Leptis’s carvings and columns can be found in England’s Windsor Castle, France’s Louvre Museum, and even Malta’s St. John’s Co-Cathedral. In 1912, during Italy’s occupation of Libya, large-scale excavations were carried out at Leptis. After Libya gained independence, further preservation work was done on the ancient city. In 1982, UNESCO designated it a “World Heritage Site” and allocated significant funds for its protection and restoration. Libya’s heritage authorities adopted a principle of “restoring the old as old,” with damaged walls patched using bricks in rustic red hues. The remnants of columns, statues, houses, stone pillars, and reliefs were carefully stacked together 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 such as stalls or cafes. Were it not for modern-dressed tourists occasionally passing by, we could easily feel as though we had traveled back to Roman times.