Libya: Lost Sites of the Roman Empire [Hardcover]

Lidiano Bacchielli (Author), Robert Polidori (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Konemann; illustrated edition edition (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3895088447
• ISBN-13: 978-3895088445
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 11 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > History > Africa > Libya

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roman Civilizations-Buried by Sand, June 27, 2000

By 

Ruth Higgins (Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Libya: Lost Sites of the Roman Empire (Hardcover)

This book is magnificent.The first 180 pages are devoted to the western province of Tripolitania, where ruins of the Roman cities of Sabratha, Oea(present-day Tripoli),and Leptis Magna are located along the North African coastline in the Gulf of Sirte. The next 50-odd pages cover the eastern province of Cyrenaica toward Egypt where the Greco-Roman cities of Cyrene, Apollonia, and Ptolemais are found.

The photographs of these cities are without a doubt some of the finest in existence.Heretofore,I have only seen random scenes of these ancient cities, but nothing organized in a book like this.

Unless one has been to Lybia,as I have,it is difficult to imagine the splendor of these ruins.Greco-Roman ruins in Europe pale in comparison.A primary reason for their preservation is the dry climate,and their burial for 1000 years by the shifting sands of the Sahara from the 9th century A.D. Excavations began in the early 20th century.

The Italian authors are experts in archeological research of the Roman era,specifically in North Africa where they have conducted many missions. Their knowledge of the rise and fall of these wealthy,elegant,and powerful cities and their importance to Rome is well presented in the text throughout the book. The writers describe what life must have been like in these cities,and provide accurate maps and reconstructions of their original dimensions where still buried by sand.

For anyone interested in the period of history when these cities flourished-7th century B.C. to about the 4th century A.D.-this book is a must. If you don't like to read-just look at the pictures.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating topic marred by poor photos, March 5, 2003

By 

suetonius "seutonius" (Phoenix) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Libya: Lost Sites of the Roman Empire (Hardcover)

The Roman ruins of Libya have been seen by very few Westerners in recent decades. They are in a remarkable state of preservation. The enormous basilica of Septimus Severus at Leptis Magna, while a ruin, looks like it could easily be put back together to it's former glory. The excellent state of preservation is due both to the desert climate and to the near complete absence of tourism. Eric Newby writing in "On the Shores of the Mediterranean" describes the difficulties he went through in arranging a visit under the Quadaffi government. This book was produced by Italian archaeologists who remarkably have been able to continue their field work during Libya's current international isolation. The book is marred by the poor reproduction of the photos. The pictures are almost all underexposed with muddy shadow areas, flat highlights and an overall lack of contrast. A pity but the book is still worthwhile for a look at sites that most people will never be able to see.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good-looking picture book on Roman ruins, June 19, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Libya: Lost Sites of the Roman Empire (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book showing some of the extensive Roman ruins left in North Africa. Highly recommended for enthusiasts and browsers.

The book is pretty large, and the pictures are clear and give you a good sense of the urban spaces pictured.