Libya week: Leptis Magna takes on Rome (part 3)

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Part 3 of The Rapid Traveler’s November 2010 trip, see also parts 1, 2 and 4.

Gadhafi’s head is not yet on a platter, but the violence and chaos in Liyba this week recalls the dark side of the ancient world. Leptis Magna gives Rome itself a run for best experience of Ancient Rome. The scale is majestic: 16,000 person amphitheatre, 25,000 person circus, 100m x 60 m Severan Forum. Little known today is the African-born Severan Dynasty, the great Septimius Severas born at Leptus Magna. The gargantuan buildings are paired with the smallest details of life, such as cloth measuring tables in the market and graffiti directions to the red light district.

In one week The Rapid Traveler visited five of these Top 10 Roman Sites in North Africa. While his greatest affection is split between Djemila and Dougga, Leptis Magna is indeed the most breathtaking.

For trips to Libya, Sabri Ellotai of Sabri Tours is the expert and is back in business as of September 2011, ready to welcome tourists.