"Ptolemais" a Athar Tulmaythah Travel Page by grets

Also known as: Tolméta, Tulmaythah, Ţulmalah,Tolmeita, Ad Dirsīyah, Tolmeta,Tolmetta, Ţulmaythah, Madīnat Ţilmītah, Tolemaide, Ptolemais, Tulmalhah, Tulmaylhah, Madinat Tilmitah.

Ancient Ptolemais was built in the 3rd century BC as a port for the city of Barce and named after Ptolemy III and was originally a Hellenistic mercantile city. During the 3rd century AD, following a decline in the importance of Cyrene, it became the capital city of the region. The city was badly damaged during the earthquake of AD365 and although a rebuilding program was started, by the 6th century AD Apollonia had become the capital of Upper Libya. Many people moved out of Ptolemais after the water supply system failed. The Arab invasion in the 7th century proved to be the end for Ptolemais. Only 10% of the city has been excavated to date.