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Memories
of Libya
1956 to 1959
Contributed
by Trevor STUBBERFIELD 52A
Libyan History Continued
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Lying 40 miles west of Tripoli,
on the coast, was the second largest Roman settlement in Libya, the city of Sabratha.
Though not so big as Leptis Magna, much of
it was in a better state of preservation and contained buildings which had
not yet been excavated at Leptis
Magna. It was brought to prominence by Septimus Severus who had been born at Leptis Magna.
There was a British military camp at Sabratha and the resident unit was the Queen’s Bays who
were equipped with Centurion tanks.
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One of the pictures
from the calendars showing the Theatre at Sabratha.
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Map of Sabratha with the Theatre shown prominently.
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The Stage of the Theatre at Sabratha. It was in active use by the Tripoli Army
Dramatic Society for staging shows and readings of plays. It also featured
in many films, one being The Black Tent starring Anthony Steel, another was
Desert Victory featuring Anthony Newley. At one
time Victor Mature fell from the base of a pillar and broke his leg whilst
filming. The hazards of being a film star.
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Unseen for more than 50 years, a
selection of my colour slides of Sabratha can be
viewed from HERE.
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The Theatre at Sabratha.
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Theatre Seating.
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Impressive columns of
the Theatre.
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The front of the
Theatre Stage.
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I will own up to being
The Archer.
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Mosaic Floor.
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The Theatre Stage.
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The Temple of Liber
Pater.
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My pillion passenger,
also my wife.
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Entrance ticket for
the Sabratha site.
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The bike is a Norton Dominator 88, the
first genuine 125 mph road going model. The owner wanted it run in and he
couldn’t have picked a better couple to do it. With two up it only got to
95 mph at which speed my instructions to the passenger were Hang on to your skirt, sandals, scarf, sunglasses
and me in that order of
priority. Solo, on the long straight road across Azizia
Plain, I reached 115 mph but returned with skin missing from my forehead,
hands and knees, the sand in the wind having done a good abrasion job. I
look at today’s riders in their leathers, full face helmets, long boots and
gauntlets and think You really are
missing out on the true thrills of motor-cycling.
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Although designated as a Berber Castle these constructions were
fortified food stores, found in many remote villages, where the local
inhabitants would store their food supplies, grain, olive oil, salt, dried
foods etc. Each family would have its own secure cell or lock-up. There
were also very similar constructions where the troglodytes or cave dwellers
would live. Their design would ensure quite stable temperatures inside each
section, summer or winter.
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First
Published: 1st February 2008.
Latest
Update: 1st May 2011.
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  Libyan Farming.
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