Leptis Magna

**Leptis** or **Lepcis Magna** was a prominent city of the Carthaginian Empire and Roman Libya at the mouth of the Wadi Lebda in the Mediterranean.

## History

### Phoenicians

Leptis first founded as a Phoenician trading colony in either the late 1st century, or early 2nd century AUC, though some medieval Roman scholars say it was founded specifically during the reign of the Roman king Tullus Hostilius. Little is known about early Leptis, but it appears to have quickly become a powerful city. This is evidenced by its ability to repel Dorieus's attempt to establish a Greek colony nearby around 239 AUC. Leptis eventually became part of the Carthaginian Empire, but in 552, during the climax of the Second Punic War, it became apart of Masinissa’s Numidian kingdom, though Leptis still remained remained highly independent. In 643 it broke away from the Numidians and became a Roman ally.

### Roman Republic and early Empire

Under Roman control, Leptis Magna gained great importance and prosperity as a trading center for exotic animals from Africa, which were supplied by the Garamantes via the Trans-Saharan trade. Above all else, lions and elephants were needed for the circus games throughout the empire.

During Caesar's civil wars the city supported the Optimates against Caesar, because of this after Caesar's victory the city was punished and forced to pay a tribute of olive oil.

During the reign of Augustus, Leptis Magna was designated as a *civitas libera et immunis*, or a free community, with minimal roman overisght. Leptis Magna remained partially independent until the reign of the Roman emperor Tiberius, when the city and the surrounding area were formally incorporated into the empire as part of the province of Africa. The city continued to grow rapidly under Roman administration. During the reign of Nero, an amphitheater was constructed. The settlement was elevated to *municipium* in 817 or 818, and to *colonia* under Trajan. Up to 100,000 people are said to have lived in Leptis Magna during this time.

The city arguably reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, who came from Leptis Magna. Favoring his hometown, Severus exempted the city from taxes and expanded the city magnificently. As a result of his lavishes Leptis Magna became the third-most important city in Africa, rivaling Carthage and Alexandria. Among the changes that Severus introduced were the creation of a magnificent new forum and the rebuilding of the docks. Leptis overextended itself during this period.

When Emperor Gordian III dissolved Legio III Augusta, which was responsible for protecting the area against plundering nomads, the security situation deteriorated dramatically (Legio III would later be reconstituted). Throughout the Crisis of the Tenth Century several nomadic raids occurred in the surrounding region, trade declined, and the city's importance diminished. This was further worsened by the 1118 Tsunami which devastated the city and caused large parts of the city to be abandoned. During the reigns of Theodosius I and his successors the city experienced somewhat of a renewal.

In 1249 Leptis became apart of the recently formed Southern Roman Empire. On 18 September 1254, during Diaco's African War, the city was recaptured by Marcus Ptolemaeus Sabinianus Magnus.

### Vandal Kingdom

Soon after its recapture by Rome, in the ensuing war in Africa with the Vandals, the city was captured by the Vandals after a brutal siege and made apart of the Vandal Kingdom. Around 1276 the city rebelled against the Vandals under the leadership of a local aristocrat named Mellonianus and the Romans quickly sent troops by sea to garrison the city.

### Renewed Roman rule

Leptis was quickly fortified, and for decades was the only Roman territory on the Libyan Coast. The small Roman exclave was subjected to several sieges and small wars.