LEPTIS. – A city in North Africa (Libya) which the Romans called Lepcis; to distinguish it from the homonymous city in Byzacena, it was called L. magna. Founded by the Phoenicians, from the 4th to the 7th century it was under the rule of Carthage, and subsequently of the King of Numidia, until in 25 B.C. it was incorporated into the Roman province of Africa. Septimius Severus was born there in A.D. 140 and, having become emperor, embellished the city. In 533 it passed to the Byzantines, but the encroachment of the sands and the alluvial deposits caused it to decline rapidly.
Ancient L. has so far revealed two Christian buildings. The first, situated in the Old Forum, made use of an earlier structure; it was preceded by a narthex from which one entered a three-aisled hall measuring 20.60 × 15.80 m, which could also be entered through four other doorways, two approximately midway along and two at the ends of the side aisles. These were separated from the central aisle by paired columns corresponding to rectangular buttresses set against the perimeter walls. The presbytery had a wider intercolumniation and was raised by two steps; no trace of the altar has been found, but it was covered by a ciborium supported by four columns of smaller proportions than the others. The elevated apse had a bench running around it, and in its centre the remains of the base of the cathedra survive. Tombs were made in the pavement, and one of them preserved the inscription of a deceased woman named Anna; to the northeast of the hall stood the Baptistery, enclosed with spolia and having two entrances. The baptismal font was adapted into the paving of the forum; it was cruciform, with four steps leading down into the circular basin.
Procopius speaks of four basilicas erected at L. by Justinian, among them a very beautiful one dedicated to the Virgin, which is believed to be identifiable with the one adapted within the great basilica of the Forum built by Septimius Severus. The level in front of the eastern apse of the magnificent forum building was raised, and the presbytery of the Christian hall was constructed there, bounded by a balustrade made from the pilasters of the Severan triumphal arch; the apse itself was paved with reused marble; the site of the altar is recognizable from several large marble architrave blocks that formed its base; toward the centre of the hall, a pulpit was constructed from further spolia, including the capitals of the Severan four-sided arch; it was reached by two small stairways.
In one of the rooms to the left of the apse, there was adapted
