Antiquity Of Libya

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31167, 17 September 1966, Page 5

Antiquity Of Libya

VVHAT really strikes me about Libya is not its | newness and potentiality, though those are true enough, but its oldness. One of my favourite solitary occupations is antiquarian beachI combing on the edge of the lagoon just outside Benghazi Ito the east. This is the site of Euhesperides, the ancient Greek predecessor Benghazi. There is not much left of it —a few foundations and indications of roads sticking up from a salty waste-land. But tall over the surface you can [pick up Greek pottery of the sixth and fifth centuries 8.C., brilliantly hard black glazes and elegant shapes, some with ■ patterns and figure-painting. : Coins, too, and lamps, and recently 1 found most of a big stone libation bowl. Nosing about here you get some idea ‘of Libya’s ancientness j Anthony Thwaite, assistant professor of English at the [University of Libya.