Proceedings of the expedition to explore the northern coast of Africa, from Tripoly eastward : $b in MDCCCXXI. and MDCCCXXII., comprehending an account of the Greater Syrtis and Cyrenaica; and of the ancient cities composing the pentapolisBeechey, Frederick William
History
Proceedings of the expedition to explore the northern coast of Africa, from Tripoly eastward : $b in MDCCCXXI. and MDCCCXXII., comprehending an account of the Greater Syrtis and Cyrenaica; and of the ancient cities composing the pentapolis
Beechey, Frederick William
Sidra, Gulf of (Libya); Tripoli (Libya) -- Antiquities; Tripoli (Libya) -- Discovery and exploration
The tribe Levatæ, mentioned in the Narrative of Procopius, of which
we have just given the substance, has in later times been noticed
by Leo Africanus, and said to have inhabited that part of the desert
of Libya which lies between Augela and the Nile[9]. The same author
adds that they are of an African race; and we may further remark,
with respect to this tribe, that the appellation of Levatæ, by
which it was distinguished, has been supposed by Major Rennell
(in his illustrations of Herodotus) to have given birth to the
Grecian term Libya[10].
It will be observed that the suggestion of the ingenious author
quoted below, with respect to the retreat of the Levatæ into the
interior, is confirmed by the account of Procopius; who tells us
that “the Moors, called Levatæ, dwelt in the neighbourhood of
Leptis Magna[11];” and we have seen that they were found in the
time of Leo Africanus to have inhabited the parts between Augela
and the Nile.
With regard to the derivation of the term Libya, suggested by Major
Rennell, we may remark that Herodotus has himself derived it from the
name of a female native of Africa bearing the same appellation[12];
and it is probable that had there been any other tradition existing
in his time on the subject, it would have been mentioned with
that which he has recorded. The several tribes which in his æra
inhabited the northern coast of Africa have also been enumerated by
Herodotus; and no mention is made among these of any race of people
called Levatæ. It is evident also that his knowledge of Africa
was not confined to recent occurrences or to the actual state of
the country in his own time; for he has given us very clear and
minute details of events which took place several centuries before
that period, among which may be instanced the account which he has
transmitted of the first occupation of the country by the Greeks,
described in the Fourth Book of his Geography, and alluded to in
the passage above quoted from Major Rennell.
We may observe, on the ground of these objections, that, if
the derivation suggested be actually correct, it must, in all
probability, have taken place long before the period of Herodotus;
but there is at the same time no positive proof on their authority
that it may not have been possibly the true one.
On the morning after our arrival at Lebida the Shekh of the place
came to pay us a visit, and to offer his assistance in procuring
us coins and gems, which are constantly found among the ruins by
the Jews, who pay a consideration to the Bashaw for the exclusive
enjoyment of this privilege. The offer of our new friend was readily
accepted, and he himself very cordially entertained by his brother
Shekh, Mahommed el Dúbbah; but, his supper being eaten, we never
heard more of him or of the antiquities which he professed to
procure for us.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account