Separate from both of the city’s forums, the Roman food market of Leptis Magna was built in 8BC by a wealthy citizen Hannibal Tapapius Rufus. The evidence for this comes from two inscriptions: one in Latin over the market entrance and another in neo Punic on the architrave of one of the market’s circular central stalls.

Leptis Magna’s market is a particularly well-preserved feature of the Roman city. Many of its features are unique. Along with typical porticoes of shops, the structure had two central circular stalls, with the system used by stallholders for measuring out goods still in place today.

The Layout of Leptis Magna’s Market Place

The market was contained in a walled rectangular courtyard raised above the street level, reached by steps from the street, with the entrance barred at night. However, the original entrance lay on the market’s south side, marked by a symbol of the god Mercury, in his capacity as god of commerce and trade. Other entrances were added later.

The market consisted of a grey granite portico around its perimeter walls. This portico contained shops on three sides, believed to be selling foodstuffs, grain, oil and wine.

The food market was embellished with statues, and many of its buildings were finely decorated, with carved dolphins and gryphons adorning the fish stalls. The marketplace also had an unusual feature. Instead of its centre consisting of open space, it was occupied by two circular stalls.

The Central Market Stalls

These two circular structures were formed by a circle of ionic columns on a raised octagonal base. The easternmost building consisted of cipolin marble with white marble bases and columns. The stall to the west was initially limestone before being overlaid with marble during the Severan period.

Both stalls came complete with serving counters that ran around their perimeters. One may have been used to sell fresh fish as it had a pool in its centre — the perfect place to store the live goods.

Roman Weights and Measures

The most original features of the market lay on its west side, where its measuring counters lay. These counters consist of stone slabs with different-sized holes containing cylinders of different weights and measurements, used to measure grain, oil or other liquids sold in the marketplace.

These measuring cylinders survive. However, alongside them is a limestone tablet carved with details of the types of units of measurement used in the city. The tablet shows that stallholders used the Greco-Roman foot in Leptis Magna’s market alongside the Punic arm and the Alexandrian cubit, indicating the empire-wide nature of the market’s patrons.

Resources:

Dal Bosca, Oriana (2004) Leptis Magna. Ananke: Italy