Leptis Magna

views updated Jun 08 2018

Leptis Magna an ancient seaport and trading centre on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, near present-day Al Khums in Libya. Founded by the Phoenicians, it became one of the three chief cities of Tripolitania and was later a Roman colony under Trajan. Most of its impressive remains date from the reign of Septimius Severus (ad 193–211), a native of the city.