- The Limes Tripolitanus was a Roman defensive structure built after 69 CE in Libya, North Africa, against the Nomads and a desert tribe called the Garamantes.
- They protected the three cities of Leptis Magna, Sabratha and Oea.
Timeline of the Limes Tripolitanus
- 19 BCE Septimius Flaccus
- He led an Expedition into the Sahara, but no account of the Expedition survives.
- 50 CE Suetonius Paulinus
- He conducted an Expedition against the Garamantes in the Fezzan (The Sahara south of Tripolitania).
- He reached the headwaters of the River Niger. He persuaded the Garamantes to become a Roman Client Kingdom, which lasted until the third century CE.
- 69 CE
- This was the last attack on the coast by the Garamantes, after which the Limes were constructed.
- They were built and maintained by the Legio III Augusta based at Theveste then at Lambaesis in Algeria.
- 75 CE
- First Fort built at Thiges to prevent attacks by Nomads and the Garamantes.
- 197-200 CE
- The Legate of the Legio III Augusta, based in Theveste (Algeria), Quintus Anicius Faustus, expanded the Limes in 197-201 CE during the reign of Septimius Severus. He built new Forts from Castellum Dimidi (Messad) to Bu Neja, including Garbia and Golaia (Bu Ngem).
- c.200 CE
- The City of Ghirza was developed in the Wadi Ghirza. The Roman Dams and Cisterns still exist today.
- 3rd century CE
- The Limes were abandoned by Diocletian (284-305 CE)
- 533 CE
- They were revived by the Eastern Emperor Justinian I (527-565 CE)
Tebessa (Theveste), Algeria, home of the Legio III Augusta