Lixus is the site of an ancient city located in
Morocco just north of the modern seaport of
Larache on the bank of the
Loukkos River. The location was one of the main cities of the
Roman province Mauretania Tingitana.
Geography
Ancient Lixus is located on
Tchemmich Hill on the right bank of the
Loukkos River (other names: Oued Loukous; Locus River), just to the north of the modern seaport of
LarachePrehistoria de España: Trabajos dedicados al IV Congreso Internacional, Santiago Alcobé y Noguer. The site lies within the urban perimeter of Larache, and about three kilometres inland from the mouth of the river and the Atlantic ocean. From its 80 metres above the plain the site dominates the marshes through which the river flows. To the north, Lixus is surrounded by hills which themselves are bordered to the north and east by a forest of
cork oaks.
Among the ruins there are baths, unknown temples, 4th century walls, a mosaic floor, and the intricate, confusing, remains of the Capitol Hill to explore.
History
Ancient city of
Mauretania Tingitana, Lixus was
settled by the
Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and was later annexed by
Carthage. Lixus was part of a chain of Phoenician/Carthaginian settlements along the
Atlantic coast of what is now present day Morocco; other major settlements further to the south are
Chellah and
Mogador. When Carthage fell to
Ancient Rome, Lixus, Chellah and Mogador became
Roman imperial outpost.
The...
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