Sabratha

Sabratha was a Phoenician trading-post that served as a coastal outlet for the products of the African hinterland. Besides its magnificent late 3rd century theatre, that retains its three-storey architectural backdrop, Sabratha has temples dedicated to Liber Pater, Serapis and Isis. There is a Christian basilica of the time of Justinian and remnants also of some of the mosaic floors that enriched elite dwellings of Roman north Africa (for example, at the Villa Sileen, near Al-Khoms), although these are most clearly preserved in the coloured patterns of the seaward (or Forum) baths, directly overlooking the shore, and in the black and white floors of the Theatre baths.


Year Decision Comments
1982 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

harold mc arthur (united states):
when I was ten years old, my father was stationed at Wheelus Air Force Base, our family visited the ruins. My sisters and I, were down by the ocean, and I found lying on the ground, a wrapped paper object, with three coins inside. Two coins were smaller ones, about the size of a dime, with nothing on them.
The larger one, was made from brass, with a roman emperor, roman numerals, and perhaps the name of "claudius" on the front. Also on the back, is a standing lady, holding a quiver of arrows, (the goddess "Athena"?), and it's about the size of a silver dollar, and three times as thick.
Date posted: April 2008
Paul Tanner (UK):
The main glory of Sabratha lies in its well preserved Roman theatre (photo). The site as a whole is not as extensive or fine as that of Leptis Magna and if you are not really into Roman ruins you might even question whether it is worth it. While you are in the region, however, you might as well persevere with these 2 sites, together with the Museum of Tripoli which contains many fine mosaics removed from them (those left in situ are often deteriorating rapidly). Sabratha is pleasantly situated close to the sea. Unfortunately the weather was not so good when we were there – it does rain in Libya! Also it was Ramadan so perhaps we were a bit lacking in sustenance needed to generate real enthusiasm as we walked around unfed - on the journey back to Tripoli we joined the “Ramadan Rush hour” with everyone speeding to get back home before the muezzins announced that it was time to eat and we could join them!
Date posted: July 2005


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