Why does Libya in Africa have the remains of ancient Rome?

Some people say that the most complete and exquisite remains of ancient Rome are not in Italy or Europe, but in North Africa, especially Libya.

On the Mediterranean coast near Benghazi, a city in western Libya, there are such a group of ancient Roman relics. The most famous scenic spots are Cyrene and Apollonia.

In the south of Benghazi and Tubrug, there is an arid desert called cyrenaica. It is 400 meters above sea level and is the ancient city of Cyrene built in the 7th century BC. Legend has it that the ancient city of Cyrene was built by giant Bartos with a unicycle, because the rut of the unicycle at that time is still clearly visible today.

Since the 5th century BC? In the 4th century BC, Cyrene experienced the most prosperous period, and the industry and commerce were extremely prosperous. It is precisely because of this that Cyrene was valued by Alexander the Great, thus avoiding being plundered by force. In 96 BC, King Ptolemy of Egypt easily occupied Cyrene. In 365 AD, the kingdom of Egypt declined, and the descendants of King Ptolemy gave Cyrene to the Romans.

Cyrene site is one of the most influential ancient sites in the Mediterranean region. Like other ancient sites in Libya, it witnessed the prosperity of the Mediterranean region at that time. From the cultural relics excavated by archaeologists, we can clearly see the aesthetic taste of people at that time, and the inspiration for craftsmen to engage in religious creation came from their patron saint-Apollo.

So far, the site of Cyrene has not been well excavated and sorted out. It contains many important works of ancient Greece and Rome, including: the remains of the holy land in Gu Quan, which introduced a holy spring into the city from 300 meters away through channels; The ruins of the temple of Apollo built in the 7th century BC-6th century BC; The Temple of Al themis was built in the 4th century BC-3rd century BC. Hekate Temple was built in the 2nd century BC; Apollo monastery; Acropolis; Procuro Square; Tomb of King Bartos, founder of Cyrene City; Navigation monument; Underground bathroom; Ancient theaters and so on. Among them, Apollo Temple and Apollo Monastery are the oldest buildings in Cyrene.

During the Roman Empire, Apollo had abundant springs, which led to the construction of public baths with the most exquisite sculptures of Cyrene. Apollo Monastery has various buildings, including temples, colonnades and artificial fountains. To the west of Apollo Monastery is a grand theater dedicated to Dionysus and Dionysus, the god of carnival. In ancient Rome, it was also expanded into an arena where gladiators fought wild animals.

There is a acropolis in Cyrene, but it's hard to find it now. In the center of Cyrene Square, there is a circular building dedicated to Demeter, the goddess of grain, and Aphrodite, the goddess of death. The building was later rediscovered by some American archaeologists, and statues of two goddesses were found in the wall. The statue of Cyrene has obvious Greek and Roman style. During the Ptolemaic dynasty, Cyrene began to appear some limestone patches and statues, including animals and some portraits, especially busts. Many people even think that Cyrene's statue of Aphrodite is a creative inheritance of the classical art tradition. To the east of the circular building is the most magnificent Taurik-style temple of Zeus built by Cyrenist in Africa in the 6th century BC, which can be compared with the temple of Zeus in Olympia. The rich ancient tombs scattered throughout the site group add icing on the cake to the site of Cyrene.

Before the earthquake in 365 AD, Cyrene was a powerful and prosperous city. Later, the rulers of Gulinai built many churches in Gulinai. At that time, Cyrene, especially its port-Apollo port, experienced another period of prosperity.

Now, however, thousands of years of Cyrene history are buried in this ruin. However, because this monument is located in a sparsely populated desert pastoral area, it objectively avoids the theft and destruction of the people; So under the long-term burial, the site looks perfect. The only regret is that because they have been buried for a long time, they have almost become a wonderful journey for Pan Am in a corner forgotten by the world.