Abstract
Discover the tumultuous past of Leptis Magna, a Roman proconsular city that rose to splendor under Emperor Septimius Severus and fell to the Vandals. Explore its advanced hydraulic system, trade routes, and unique social organization. Uncover the remnants of its glorious past and understand its significance in Roman foreign policy.
Extract
[...] Moreover, it is conceivable that the profound upheavals possibly had repercussions on the entire region, of a city that had become both sumptuous and independent under Roman occupation and all the jealousies it may have aroused. Dismantled more than occupied, it is possible that the city of Leptis Magna It had a rather unfortunate fate in the mid-3rd century. However, as for other cities in this area, Roman history marks a very important step in its development and enrichment, in relation to which, no other page of history compares. [...]
[...] An honorary biga awarded by the municipality of the city awarded to the founder of the market, Cosinus Primus, was used to repair an important piece of pavement. We can also suppose that the economic crisis of the 3rd century probably affected the African city, whose trade was one of its main driving forces and left the new occupants with debris to try to recreate a new city. This historical document therefore remarkably testifies to the glorious and tumultuous past of the African city. [...]
[...] What remains of this glorious past and how can we understand the unique status of this key city in Roman foreign policy? Leptis, conquered by Julius Caesar in was the subject of a major urban development under Augustus: theater, market, and first forum rose on the site of the Punic city. But it was under the reign of Nerva, in 96-98, that Rome founded its colony, Cuicul remarkable fortress of defense of the ancient city. When it is raised to the rank of colony by Trajan in 110, the city has a population of 100,000 inhabitants. [...]
[...] We note, in addition, the impressive dimensions given to Forum and to the adjacent roads, seeming to support the idea of highlighting public buildings. The observed pipelines also reveal an advanced arrangement of the hydraulic system, as the Romans knew how to design, further testifying to the advancement made by the proconsular city. Thus, the city of Leptis Magna, in full bloom, is seen to respond in its structure as in its organization both to a concern for great functionality as well as to pomp, highlighting the different poles and social organization of the city. [...]
[...] The drawing first shows a remarkable zone of construction and arrangement nestled behind a rampart protecting the main artery of the city, the CArdus Maximus Yes, unlike the classical plans of ancient Rome, and except for cardines remarkably drawn and respecting the regularity of building alignment according to the learned Roman plans, those of the less important places in the city seem to sometimes 'make do' with the terrain rather than drawing it, due to the aspect particularly mountainous and abrupt of the site, However, it is worth noting that many particularities and specific design choices are given to be read. The numerous roads first make the importance of communication and exchange axes in the ancient proconsular city apparent. [...]
