Author: N. Masturzo
Download article as .pdf: Thalassophilia and living by the Sea. Villae Maritimae and Domus in Lepcis Magna
The city of Lepcis Magna, located on the coast of Libya, was initially established as a Phoenician trading post (7th c. BC). Over the course of its history, the city underwent significant development in its relation to the sea. This article examines the urban characteristics and value of the eastern coastal side of the city for its citizens, who constructed luxury residences along this strip during the Roman Imperial Age. The study is based on a topographic reconnaissance and, in one case, on an old archaeological excavation. An analysis of the layout of the coastal domus of Lepcis indicates that these residences, constructed closer to the sea, highlight the way the landscape was viewed and emphasise their relationship with the marine environment.