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CAU > Seminars and Study Tours > Lost Worlds of Libya and Tunisia: Greco-Roman Civilization

Lost Worlds of Libya and Tunisia: Greco-Roman Civilization

May 10-21, 2007

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Overview

Happily, recent developments in American foreign policy (recently restored diplomatic relations with Libya) make this a perfect time to explore some of the most interesting and fascinating sites connected with the foreign policy of the ancient world. All the great ancient empires and city-states were concerned with the North African coast of the Mediterranean—its peoples, its treasure, and its armies—but in recent times these lands and landscapes pretty much dropped off travel itineraries. It's wonderful that once again ancient centers such as Cyrene, Apollonia, Ptolemais, and especially Leptis Magna, are beckoning visitors. Better yet, aboard the very comfortable Corinthian II we'll enjoy fine accommodations, food, and service, as we explore the splendid sites and cities of North Africa's Mediterranean coast.

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Faculty

Led by CAU favorite Barry Strauss, '74, professor of history and classics at Cornell, specialist in Greco-Roman history and in the military history of the Mediterranean, and leader of so many CAU seminars and study tours, we'll be in the best possible hands. Joined by members of the Dartmouth and University of California, Berkeley faculty, Barry will help us appreciate the sites and civilizations we encounter as he traces the rise, spread, and fall of the peoples, armies, and navies who attacked, occupied, settled (and occasionally ravaged) cities and settlements between the Sahara and the sea. (The faculty will also bring us up to the twentieth century, as we examine the modern military history of the region, from Rommel, Patton, and the battles of World War II to the rise of Muammar al-Qaddafi.)

Itinerary

Assembling in Athens, we'll board Corinthian II at the port of Piraeus (Barry will acquaint us with the key naval battle that occurred at nearby Salamis during the Peloponnesian War). From Piraeus we'll cross the Mediterranean to Derna (ancient Darnis) on Libya's Cyrenaican coast. From Derna we'll drive to Cyrene, one of North Africa's great cities of antiquity, whose substantial ruins and monuments testify to the wealth it enjoyed in the centuries following its founding by Greek colonists from Santorini (ancient Thera) in the seventh century B.C.E.

From Derna we'll sail to Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and a major commercial port. Here we'll devote a full day to the region of the Jabal al Akhdar (Green Mountains) to visit the remains of ancient Teucheira and Ptolemais. One of the five cities of the Libyan Pentapolis, Teucheira was founded in the sixth century B.C.E. by Saharan caravans coming from the Fezzan, the vast desert area in the south of Libya. North of Teucheira is Ptolemais, an ancient port that occupies a narrow area between the sea and the Jabal al Akhdar. Originally a Greek settlement of the seventh century B.C.E., it was refounded by Ptolemy III in the third century B.C.E.

After a day at sea—the better to enjoy our ship and to take part in lectures and discussions with the faculty—we'll call at Al Khums on Libya's Tripolitanian coast to visit the ruins of Leptis Magna (also known as Lepcis Magna), one of the Mediterranean's most compelling ancient sites. An outlet for the rich agricultural produce of the nearby region, Leptis Magna achieved its greatest prominence in the third century C.E. under the Severan emperors, who launched an unprecedented, lavish building scheme, which they funded from the Roman Empire's treasury. The founder of the Severan dynasty, Lucius Septimius Severus, was a proud native of Leptis. Although the Severans were descended from Italian colonists, they spoke Latin with a North African accent reminiscent of Hannibal's Carthage (whose power extended to Libya). Modern evacuation of Leptis Magna, preserved for two millennia because of its burial under shifting sands, began in the 1920s. A glorious example of Roman city planning whose buildings, temples, monuments, and streets are extremely well preserved and endlessly impressive, Leptis Magna also contained fabulous homes built by wealthy Romans, including the recently restored Villa Sileen, with its vivid mosaics depicting chariot races and gladiatorial combat scenes.

From Leptis Magna we'll sail to Tripoli, where we'll spend two days exploring a number of its Phoenician, Greek, and Roman sites, including Sabratha, a Carthaginian trading post that flourished during the Roman period. In Tripoli we'll examine the great triumphal arch of Marcus Aurelius, the medina—the medieval walled town that was built on the site of the Roman settlement—and the Jamahiriya Museum, housed in the massive Citadel, whose collections encompass the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. We'll also set aside time to explore Tripoli's wonderful souks (markets).

Sailing west again, we'll spend two days in Tunisia. From the port of Sousse you'll be able to choose an excursion to Kairouan to visit the Great Mosque of Sidi Okba and the Sidi Sahab Mausoleum, or to El Djem to explore its great Roman amphitheater and museum, with its fine collection of mosaics. Arriving in Tunis, we'll take time to enjoy this lively city, with its wonderful markets and streets (we'll be docked overnight) even as we prepare for our last visit, to the ruins of Carthage. Here, among monuments of the Phoenician and Roman periods, we will encounter the remains of what was at one point Rome's greatest competitor and rival, the source of Cicero's constant reminder, "Carthage must be destroyed," and the city that sent Hannibal to capture Rome. Departing Tunis we'll sail to Valletta, Malta to disembark for our flights home.

Program Cost and Travel Arrangements

Program fees vary with the cabin you select (we will send you a full ship's plan), and begin at $7,495 (per-person, double-occupancy). Program fees include all accommodations and meals throughout the trip, all port visits, entry fees, site visits, ground transportation, admission fees, escort services, gratuities (including gratuities to all ship personnel), emergency medical-evacuation insurance, and the full educational program. The supplement for single occupancy (limited availability) is $2,695. A group airfare from the U.S. will be available, but you are free to make your own international air arrangements if you prefer.

Physical Requirements

This is not a physically demanding trip, but we will be walking over hilly, uneven terrain, and climbing steps in many places.