Libya: Lost Sites of the Roman Empire

By Lidiano Bacchielli, Antonio Divita, Ginette Divita-Evrard

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3895088447
• ISBN13: 9783895088445
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Konemann
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 4.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 10.9" x 12.6"

Customer Reviews

Roman Civilizations-Buried by Sand

This book is magnificent.The first 180 pages are devoted to the western province of Tripolitania, where ruins of the Roman cities of Sabratha, Oea(present-day Tripoli),and Leptis Magna are located along the North African coastline in the Gulf of Sirte. The next 50-odd pages cover the eastern province of Cyrenaica toward Egypt where the Greco-Roman cities of Cyrene, Apollonia, and Ptolemais are found.The photographs of these cities are without a doubt some of the finest in existence.Heretofore,I have only seen random scenes of these ancient cities, but nothing organized in a book like this.Unless one has been to Lybia,as I have,it is difficult to imagine the splendor of these ruins.Greco-Roman ruins in Europe pale in comparison.A primary reason for their preservation is the dry climate,and their burial for 1000 years by the shifting sands of the Sahara from the 9th century A.D. Excavations began in the early 20th century.The Italian authors are experts in archeological research of the Roman era,specifically in North Africa where they have conducted many missions. Their knowledge of the rise and fall of these wealthy,elegant,and powerful cities and their importance to Rome is well presented in the text throughout the book. The writers describe what life must have been like in these cities,and provide accurate maps and reconstructions of their original dimensions where still buried by sand.For anyone interested in the period of history when these cities flourished-7th century B.C. to about the 4th century A.D.-this book is a must. If you don't like to read-just look at the pictures.

Good-looking picture book on Roman ruins

This is a beautiful book showing some of the extensive Roman ruins left in North Africa. Highly recommended for enthusiasts and browsers.The book is pretty large, and the pictures are clear and give you a good sense of the urban spaces pictured.