Limes in Libya

[Jona Lendering]

In May, I will be in Libya. I hope to visit two or three forts of the Tripolitan limes (and, of course, Leptis Magna & Cyrenaica). Has anyone any experience with travel in Libya? Is there someone who desperately needs photos?

[john m roberts]

Jona:
Please look in on the Roman Combat Sports forum. There you'll find a thread on a fabulous gladiatorial mosaic that was found recently in Libya and we're dying to see some decent pictures of it. If you can provide us with pics, it will assure your elevation among the Olympians.

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

`that is this link: link from old RAT

[Jona Lendering]

This looks great! Anyone else anything else?

[Robert Vermaat]

Will you be visiting any large collections there?
I never heard of plumbatae from Africa (nor from the Middle East outside the Caucasus region, for that matter), and I would very much like to know if any plumbatae were hiding in North African collections, possibly unrecognised..

[Jona Lendering]

I've made a notice. I don't know what to expect from Libya, but maybe the museums have other collections than magnificent mosaics.

[Graham Sumner]

Hello Jona

In case you do not know the small Hunting Baths at Leptis are practically intact, as they were covered over with sand for centuries. Inside are some wall paintings with figures. As I have only ever seen pictures of them in books it would certainly be interesting to see if there are any more figures wearing tunics etc... If you see anything which looks like a military figure in a mosaic or fresco feel free to take and post as many pictures as you want as long as they are in red or white. Any other colour and you have my permission to rebury them!!! Only joking of course.

Pictures of the desert forts would be fantastic and as everyone should know by now any pictures of people riding camels would be great! By the way the Romans rode their camels with their legs down at the side.

Thanks Graham.

[Crispvs]

If you see any daggers, dagger sheaths or depictions of same, I would really appreciate more information on the styles of daggers used in different places at different times and the geographical spread of daggers at different periods. Any photos (with dates and provenances if possible) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Crispvs

[A_Volpe]

If you happen to find anything relating to Legion III Cyrenaica, I'd really appreciate any information, since that's the Legion my group portrays.
(granted it did more work while in Alexandria Egypt, but it got started in Cyrene, hence the title )
And remember, all us RAT'ers LOVE pictures

Have a great trip!

[Jona Lendering]

Plumbatae, Baths at Leptis, daggers, sheats, everything related to the proud Third legion - it is all written down. I will, deo volente / inch' allah, visit Leptis and Cyrene, so that's a start.

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

don't forget to have some fun :wink:

[Robert Vermaat]

and catch some sun.

[Jona Lendering]

The sun, that's what I'm, afraid of...

Temperatures in Tripoli, in May, are said to be 25 degrees average. I don't know what to think about the Sahara itself, but it will probably be worse. I'll buy some local dress; in my Pakistan dress, I survived 48 degrees in Multan, but don't ask me how I managed to survive...

[Robert Vermaat]

Temperatures in Amsterdam in May will be about 16, with a southwesterly wind bringing drizzle and low clouds...

[Jona Lendering]

Okay, summing up:

• Gladiatoral mosaic
  Plumbata
  Depictions of weapons etc.
  small Hunting Baths at Leptis
  anything relating to Legion III Cyrenaica

Anyone else?

Code:

Temperatures in Amsterdam in May will be about 16, with a southwesterly wind bringing drizzle and low clouds...

It's in the mid-twenties, and I think it's HOT. And according to Dutch folklore, they call these days IJsheiligen (Ice Saints)...