Libya: The Lost Cities of the Roman Empire [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

 

 

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This amazing book about the ancient cities of Libya is published by the German publishing house Könemann. It is a picture book in a large format (28 x 32 cm). The photos are taken by Robert Polidori who is a very talented photographer. Clearly, a lot of effort and time went into this project; and it paid off: the photos are absolutely wonderful.

Sometimes he gives us the grand view of a temple or a theatre. Sometimes he gives us a small detail of a monument. But each time the image is very powerful. It is as if you can stretch out your hand and touch the ancient stones, although they are just pictures on a page.

I have been to Libya. I have visited the sites presented here. When I look at these photos, I feel I am back in Libya again, walking along a Roman street among the ancient monuments which are often surprisingly well preserved.

I would recommend this book just because of the photos. But they are in fact only one element of the book. There is also an excellent text, written by professional scholars, three Italian archaeologists, who have done excavation work in Libya and who know their topic very well. They are:

* Antonino Di Vita

* Ginette Di Vita-Evrard

* Lidiano Bacchielli

Könemann publishes books in several languages. I know there is a French version of this book. I assume there is a German version as well, perhaps also an Italian version, but the version under review here is in English.

Most of the ancient sites are located in the northern part of Libya, on or near the Mediterranean coast. The northern part of the country is divided into two parts. In the west we have Tripolitania, which is the Greek word for an area with three cities. The modern capital Tripoli (ancient Oea) is in the middle, Sabratha some 80 km to the west, and Lepcis Magna (sometimes spelled Leptis Magna) some 120 km to the east.

In the east we have Cyrenaica, which is named after the major city Cyrene, which is located inland, some 20 km from the coast. Other cities in his area are Apollonia and Ptolemais, which are both located on the coast. The eastern part of Libya is also known as Pentapolis, which is the Greek word for an area with five cities.

The text is divided into two parts. Here is a brief overview:

PART ONE - TRIPOLITANIA
* The region
* The historical background
* Lepcis Magna
* Sabratha

PART TWO: CYRENAICA
* The history of Cyrenaica
* Cyrene
* The other cities of the Pentapolis

At the end of the book we find an appendix with eight short items: a note about the ancient author Apuleius (who was on trial in Sabratha around AD 157-158), notes with references, a chronology, a bibliography, a glossary, biographies of important persons (and gods) mentioned in the book, a drawing of Lepcis Magna seen from the air (by Jean-Claude Galvin), and a map of the Mediterranean Sea.

Polidori's photos are not the only illustrations here. There are two maps of Lepcis Magna (pages 47 & 51), two maps of Sabratha (pages 148 & 152), a map of Cyrene (page 194), and a map of Apollonia (page 230). In addition, there are drawings of several monuments in Lepcis Magna: the Arch of Septimius Severus (page 115), the Nymphaeum (page 118), and the Basilica of Septimius Severus (pages 122 & 133). All maps and drawings are very helpful.

If I had to complain about anything in this book, I would say that part two about Cyrenaica is too short. The text covers Cyrene, Ptolemais and Apollonia. But it does not include Tocra (Teuchira) and Qasr Libya (Olbia). In addition, there is no index. But I have decided that I will not complain about anything here, because I like what I see.

[Read about Tocra and Qasr Libya in Lonely Planet's guidebook: Libya (Lonely Planet Country Guide).]

If you are interested in ancient history, especially Greek and Roman history, you do not want to miss this amazing book. Unfortunately, it is out of print. You will have to get a second hand copy. If you can find one, do not hesitate: go ahead and buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Living in Libya for three years (oil industry)gave me the opportunity to visit and photograph these great Roman cities on numerous weekendtrips and gain a good first hand knowledge of all the ruins. I was quite surprised to find this excellent book (good price!!) in London after my return; the Italian archeologists can only be congratulated. Not only are the photographs providing a very good documentation and are allowing for an impression of the real thing but also the text is quite informative and up to scientific standards. Some of my Libyan collegues used to joke: "If you know Leptis Magna, you can forget about the Forum Romanum". Having seen both I can only agree.

I will admit I haven't read the text of this book yet -- the pictures are just too seductive. The quality of the colour photography is amazing, the breadth (from wide panorama to details) remarkable. Unusually, you can actually get a feel for the geography of the sites as well as their details. Nearly 250 pages of stunning photographs, and selling at a ridiculously low price. Don't wait -- buy it!!

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