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Date: 15/7/04
Islamic Tourism
Libya can boast of some of the most dramatic monuments in North Africa. In the west the temples and buildings of Cyrene bear witness to the importance of its oracle of Apollo and its site as the terminus of ancient desert trade routes.
To the east in Tripolitania lie the phenomenal ruins of Leptus Magna, birthplace of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus and overlooking the Mediterranean sea, the city of Sabrata where the writer Apuleius defended himself against charges of black magic.
The British Museum is promoting visits to these ancient sites. Libya featured in the museums “destinations” lecture series aimed at introducing the heritage of countries with which the British Museum has links through archaeological projects and exhibitions.
George Hart who introduced Libya’s ancient sites pointed out that travel to Libya is becoming easier. “I have the feeling it will blossom as a tourist destination”, he said.
Hart’s lecture focused on the most important Greek city in North Africa, Cyrene which was founded in the 7th century BC by a party of immigrants who had fled the drought-inflicted island of Thera in the Aegean Sea. Its early history was a volatile one, characterised by murder and conflict among the ruling families. Under King Battus IV (515-470 BC), it enjoyed a period of relative calm and prosperity, although his successor, Arcesilaus IV, was assassinated. From 322 BC, Cyrenaica came under the control of the Greek general Ptolemy I and his dynasty.
In 96 BC the Romans took possession of Cyrenaica, and it became a province of Rome eighteen years later. Thereafter, it enjoyed a period of peace until a Jewish revolt in 115 AD caused widespread destruction.
Following reconstruction of the city, principally under the Emperor Hadrian, Cyrene again entered a period of prosperity. In 365 AD, during the Byzantine period, an earthquake destroyed much of the city, which, at the time, had not yet embraced Christianity. A grand rebuilding programme took place, although former places of pagan worship were desecrated including the great temple of Zeus.
Built on a series of levels, the spectacular ruins of Cyrene include the Sanctuary and Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis, the Agora, the Forum, the Stoa of Hermes and Heracles, the House of Jason Magnus, the Nine Muses and the Temple of Zeus. | 
