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The
city of sabratha is located on the Mediterranean coast, one hour drive west of
Tripoli. It
was founded by Cannaanites in the 6th century B.c. Amongst the walls
and foundation of public building discovered in the city are the market,
tribunal ,and some temples. As
was the case with the other cities of Tripoli, Sabratha was under the domination
of Carthage, the main of Phoenician settlement in Tunisia till 146,B.C. After
the canaanites (Phoenicians) in carthage were defeated, Sabratha was occupied by
the Nomidians and then by the Romans in 46 B.C. The public arenas, the temples
of Liber Pater,Sirapis, Isis and Hercules , the forum, the theatre, the tribunal
arenal, and the public baths are considered among the most prominent features of
the city during Romans times. Remains of the earliest Phoenician the Remains of
the earliest Phoenician settlement have been found beneath the Roman town in the
area between the forum and the sea .Sabratha prospered during the third century
AD, and became famous as a trading place for the ivory coming from central
Africa, through Ghadames and Fezzan . The
city was abandoned after its destruction by the Vandals who invaded North Africa
from Europe. In
the year 533.A.D., the Byzantines occupied the city and rebuilt much of it. An
outer wall was built around the perimeter, as well as some churches, the most
famous of which being the church of Justinian with its fine decorated mosaic
floors. Sabratha lost its importance with the advent of Islam in the Region (642
AD), and Tripoli became the most important trade center in western Libya.
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