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Since the beginning of the first millennium B. C, the pioneers of Phoenician traders frequented the region of Tripoli and established Sabratha, Oea, and Leptis Magna as trade centers on the western coastline of Libya, to facilitate and improve the commercial exchange with the African hinterlands.

It is clear from the archeological evidence that the trade centre of Tripoli (Oea – Oiat) – named after one of the Libyan tribes- had evolved into city by the middle of the 5th century B. C since that time the city passed by different periods ; Romans, Byzantines then the Islamic period.

The archeological remains which came to light in Tripoli may give enough evidence of the important civilized role played by this city throughout its history.

Unfortunately most of the discoveries of the early sites in the city consisted of funeral objects found in scattered sites in an around the city.

The only visible monument is the arch of "Marcus Aurelia's " which goes back to the second century B. C. and is mentioned by most by the old travelers and geographers who passed by the city, and they expressed their admiration of its grandeur and of its beautiful decoration and sculpture.

The most famous medieval monument in Tripoli is the CASTLE or Assaraia Al Hamra as it is usually called, because of its red washed walls.

The architectural elements of Corinthian columns and mosaics which have been discovered during the restoration works in the early decades of this century asserted that this castle dated to the first century B. C. meanwhile some historians say that the castle date, goes back to the Phoenician time.

In addition, Tripoli is very well known for its Islamic monuments especially in the old city like mosques, schools, hotels, and the residences for the diplomatic missions, besides the unique type of its houses, baths and souks. Regarding mosques in the old city of Tripoli, it is necessary to mention "Jamee Al Naga" which was built during the Fatimide period in the 4th century.

The most attractive features in this mosque are the simplicity and its Magrabid minaret style. Another famous mosque worth noting is " Ahmed Pasha Mosque"

Which was built upon the ruins of the greet mosque of "Amr Ibn Al Aas" in the first half of the seventeenth century. This mosque in famous for its decoration with beautiful ceramic tiles, and the spacious harmonized planning which reflects the reverence and devoutness of the place.

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Sabratha

Sabratha is situated to the west of Tripoli in a site considered as one of the most beautiful places on the western Libyan shores.

Sabratha, as a famous city in the human history, witnessed an early connection with the external word through the Phoenician traders since the beginning of the first millennium B. C.

Certainly some of the natural factors, such as fertility on the soil, abundance of the rain and the natural harbor, encouraged people at that time to gather in sabratha site and form a united society especially when the named site had been chosen as a harbor and a trade centre by the Phoenician.

Generally all of these reasons had encouraged the emigrants from the Phoenician centers to stay in Sabratha.

If we follow the historical event of this city, we will find that Sabratha came under the sway of Carthage since the fifth century B. C. and until the date of the collapse of this city, after its defeat by the Romans. By that time (second century B. C) the region of the three cities signed a treaty with Rome. During the roman period, sabratha followed ( as the other cities in the Roman world did) the manner of imitation in the various aspects of the public life. It is worth to note here that Sabratha reached its highest points of prosperity during the reign of "Antonine"

In Sabratha, organized excavations have been carried out since 1922 discovering a large part of the ancient city, including temples, monumental mausoleums, baths, houses and large streets which divided the city into quarters, in addition to the squares and fountains. The theatre is still one of the most important monuments in the city, it was established during the second century A.D, with huge limestone blocks similar to the Roman theater's style.

The Punic monumental mausoleum (from 3rd and 2nd century) of 18 M. high, is considered a unique example of the Punic monuments not only in Libya but also in north Africa as a whole.

Regarding Sabratha's amphitheater, it was founded at the end of the second century A.I. it was famous for bloody games which usually ended in the death of one of the fighters.

In addition to the above mentioned monuments, sabratha is famous for its public baths such as sea baths and theatre which go back to the second and third centuries A. I.

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Leptis Magna

Leptis Magna is at a distance of one kilometer to the east of the modern city of Al Khoums which is situated at the eastern end of Nafusa mountain range.

Leptis Magna is an ancient city, its roots go deep in the human history, and a number of factors paved the way for the rise of a progressive and prosperous society since the beginning of the first millennium B.C.

The beauty of Leptis Magna area and its suitable shores for the old navigation means, besides the characterized geographical position, qualified the site as an important trade centre, and the fertility of its soil – as mentioned by Herodotus in the 5th century B.C who referred to an area near (Cynpis) (Wadi Lebda) as one of the most fertile places in the world – all of these factors in addition to the Phoenician desire to secure their eastern borders in the face of the Greek expansion, led to the rise of Leptis Magna in the middle of the 5th century B.C.

In the wake of Carthage's defeat by Rome in the second century B.C, the city came under the domination of the roman empire.

During the reign (Severan family) Leptis Magna reached the peak of prosperity and progress, especially during Septimus Severus reign who spared no effort to express his gratitude to this city – as his birth place – by the reforms and achievements which were carried out in Leptis Magna at the beginning of the 3rd century.

Unlike the other cities Leptis Magna has kept its remains on a large scale such as the theatre, and the market which were founded by citizens of the city.

Leptis Magna is famous for forums, baths, streets which are decorated by triumphal arches once erected in the honor of famous emperors.

The archeological excavations brought to light more than five arches distributed in different sites of the city, the most important is the arch of Septimus Severus or Severan quadraphonic arch which is situated at a cross road in the city.

The marble panels decorating this arch give as a lot of information concerning the life of the named emperor, and at the same time they throw more light on the social, political and religious aspects of his life as well.

On the other hand, the citizens in Leptis Magna enjoyed a high cultural level,

especially during late second century and early 3rd century A.D. we can see this through many buildings like the theatre, amphitheater, the circus and baths.

Anyway, a visit to Leptis Magna won't be completed without visiting its museum which contains a selected collection of sculptures, inscriptions, pottery ware, telling the history of the city in chronicle order.

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