Lixus (ancient city)
The ruins of Lixus
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 Shown within Morocco
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| Location | Larache, Larache Province, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Morocco |
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| Coordinates | 35°12′00″N 06°06′40″W / 35.20000°N 6.11111°WCoordinates: 35°12′00″N 06°06′40″W / 35.20000°N 6.11111°W |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | 7th century BC |
Lixus is the site of an ancient Roman-Berber-Punic 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 of Mauretania Tingitana.
Ancient Lixus is located on Tchemmich Hill on the right bank of the Loukkos River (other names: Oued Loukous; Locus River). It lies just to the north of the modern seaport of Larache. 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 Roman baths, temples, 4th century walls, a mosaic floor, a Christian church and the intricate and confusing remains of the Capitol Hill.
Lixus was first settled by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC, and was later annexed by Carthage. It was part of a chain of Punic towns along the Atlantic coast of modern Morocco; other major settlements further to the south are Chellah (called Sala Colonia by the Romans) and Mogador. When Carthage fell to Ancient Rome, Lixus, Chellah and Mogador became imperial outposts of the Roman province Mauretania Tingitana.
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Wikipedia