Why is the Arch of Septimius Severus in Leptis Magna famous?

Commissioned by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, the triumphal arch in his hometown of Leptis Magna stands as a testament to the monumental building projects of the Severan dynasty. The city itself experienced significant expansion under his rule before eventually falling into ruin and becoming preserved beneath desert sand dunes. Rediscovered in the twentieth century, the arch was painstakingly rebuilt through anastylosis by archaeologists.

What we know

• The Arch of Septimius Severus in Leptis Magna is a third-century triumphal arch commissioned by Emperor Septimius Severus, who was born in the city. [2, 3]
• The arch fell into ruin in the fifth century and was subsequently rebuilt using anastylosis following its rediscovery in 1928. [2]
• Leptis Magna experienced significant expansion under Septimius Severus, who ruled the Roman Empire from 193 to 211. [3, 5]
• The Severan dynasty was an avid builder of triumphal or honorary arches throughout the Roman Empire. [4]

Where to go next

• what caused itHow did Leptis Magna expand under Roman rule?
• how it workedWhat is anastylosis in archaeological restoration?
• compared withThe Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome
• what followedWhat caused the fall and abandonment of Leptis Magna?
• the bigger pictureWho were the rulers of the Severan dynasty?
• an unexpected connectionHow did desert sand protect an ancient Roman city?Although the city fell to various invaders and was ultimately abandoned, being buried under layers of sand dunes remarkably preserved its ruins as one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the Mediterranean.

Sources

• [1]Arch of Septimius Severus (Leptis Magna) (Wikidata Q3621792) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Arch of Septimius Severus (Leptis Magna) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Leptis Magna · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Arch of Septimius Severus · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Severan dynasty · CC BY-SA 4.0