This Phoenician town is undoubtedly the most out standing archaeological settlement in Libya. The city is called Leptis Magna (the Larger Leptis) to distinguish it from Leptis Roman in the neighborhood of Susa in the Tunisia.

It is often said that Leptis Magna is the oldest historical colony in North Africa. Herodotus, in his historical report, mentions that Leptis and Carthage were allied for a long period because the former towns was an important center in the eastern part of the Carthaginian State. In the ancient tie Leptis was named Emporium ( a trading station) on account of its economic activity.

However nothing has been found among the excavated remains that would date before the fifth century B.C., and consequently substantiate the truth of the statement. Most probably Leptis was the chief town in the whole province. Under Carthagean rule the city repulsed the attack of the Numidian king of Africa. It survived after the destruction of Carthage in 194 B.C., and under the Numedian rule, Leptis kept its autonomy. Mr. D.E.L Haynes points out the recording to Roman historians, the city preserved its Phoenician customs and law. Only its dialect was greatly influenced by the latin tongue. This is explained by the fact that Leptians had a strong marriage-ties with the Africans natives.

When Rome waged war-against Numedia, Leptis asked to become Rome's ally. Rome consented to be united, consequently, Leptis become a part of Roman Africa, involving it in the Roman Civil Wars and sided with Pompeus. But upon Octavius victory, Leptis was force to pay a heavy annual tribune, mainly in olive oil. This indicates the high degree of fertility of the region at that time and existence of extensive forests of olive trees. Today, olive tree forests still survive in Libya.

Leptis according to its history and its archaeological sites reached its climax under the rule of Emperor Septimus Severus who was born in the city in 146 A.D. And as a son of well-to- do local Roman family, he joined the upper rank of the Roman Emperor, he embelished his native city which splendid public buildings, strengthen the frontier desert garrisons, thereby safeguarding the farmlands of the area, on which Leptis depended for its livelihood and commerce.

The visitor to this ancient city may find that the principal material of construction used in the city buildings is a hard limestone. It was used for buildings the temples, the basilicas and sculpture work of all types. Also, great quantities of multi-coloured marble were imported from Italy, Greece, anf Asia Minor. Large monolithic granite columns were omported from Egypt. The important marble was chiefly used for sheeting the insides and outsides of the walls and the ornamentation of cornices. Marble sheets still lie scattered on the grounds of Leptis. The visitor may judge for himself, how the Leptian artists performed their hard task in the masterly manner to decorate their own town. All these ancient cities were adorned with great statues. A numbers of such statues are still visible in the public bathes and the theater of Leptis.

The best of these statues are those copied from Greek models, usually , made by Greek artists. The late Roman artists were especially fond of picture drawings.