| Leptis Magna was one of the largest cities of the Roman empire. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C., it was taken over by the Romans in 46 B.C. and flourished in the 1–3rd centuries A.D., but was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 365 A.D. It was finally abandoned when the Muslim conquerors moved their capital to today's Tripolis in the 7th century. Leptis Magna was home of Emperor Septimius Severus (A.D. 193-211), who was declared Emperor in Carnuntum (now Austria). | |||
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Museum | |||
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Amphitheatre1st century A.D., 16.000 seats. | |||
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Circus (Hippodrome)Founded in A.D. 162. Seated 25.000 spectators at chariot races during Marcus Aurelius Antoninus' reign. | |||
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Leptis Magna, Main Site | |||
Arch of Septimius Severus (A.D. 203) | |||
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Hadrianic Baths (A.D. 137) | |||
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LatrinaChristine explains how the latrina was used. On entering, a user received a sponge on a stick from a cleansing pot, into which he returned the sponge after use... | |||
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Nymphaeum | |||
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New Forum of Septimius Severus100x60m, covered with marble | |||
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Severan Basilica92x40m, originally a House of Justice, completed by Septimius Severus' son, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (called Caracalla) in A.D. 216. Later, a Christian church. | |||
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i.e. Caracalla 
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PortThe pier and old harbour basin appear to have been raised from sea level! The basin has completely silted up. | |||
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Old Forum | |||
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Red Light DistrictMarked by pretty obvious sign posts... | |||
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Market (9–8 B.C.) | |||
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TheatreFounded around 1 A.D., extended by Antoninus Pius (A.D. 138-161). It was the second largest theatre in Africa after Sabratha. | |||
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| Originally, I did not shoot the previous photos to make a panorama, they were made from slightly offset locations. Anyway, it does not look too bad... |
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Back to Arch of Septimius Severus | |||
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66 Litres, EUR5.70 | |||
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