North Africa: The Roman Coast – First edition
Posted by bradttravel on 24 August 2009
What have the Romans done for us? One might imagine an unstoppable torrent of paraphrased grumbles from those ancient peoples whose human rights were impinged by imperial edict. However, if evidence of investment, development of infrastructure and the maintenance of a civil society were required to justify occupation, then the North African coast makes an impressive case for the indefensible.
Bradt’s new guide searches out Rome’s ancient legacy in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, an area collectively described by the Arabic term Magreb. For most modern Western Europeans, Africa still seems remote and inaccessible. However, the archaeological heritage of the Roman Coast is both a reminder of the empire’s former greatness and of the proximity of the Mediterranean’s southern shores. Today this narrow coastal strip comprises several of the world’s most remarkable Roman sites. In Morocco, Volubillis is an expansive testament to town planning; in Algeria the city of Timgad remains only partially excavated; close to the modern-day capital of Tunisia lies Carthage, once the most important city in all North Africa; and to the east, Septimus Severus’s imperial city of Leptis Magna and Libya’s other grand Tripolitanian settlements of Sabratha and Cyrene patiently await exploration.
North Africa: The Roman Coast provides a historical and political context to support each area and backs this up with detailed maps to assist in the practical process of interpreting what can be daunting sites. Written to inform tour members, cruise-ship passengers and independent travellers alike, the guide features up-to-date information on where and what to eat and drink, accommodation on all budgets and a handy Arabic and French primer. For parties with varying interests, if there’s even a slight risk of temple fatigue or ruin rebellion, in all cases alternative activities with a contemporary focus are suggested within easy reach.
Ethel Davies was born in California but moved to the UK 30 years ago. Her work as a freelance writer and photographer has appeared in the media in many guises. Repeated visits to North Africa have given her an appreciation of the region’s past and present.
Title: North Africa: The Roman Coast
Author: Ethel Davies
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
Publication: August 2009
Price: £15.99
ISBN: 978 1 84162 287 3
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