Nymphaeum, southwest Fountains of Chalcidicum Building in the city of Leptis Magna. Starting from the second century up to the fifth Century

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the importance of fountains in decorating
cities and private and public buildings, and how their waters was
exploited. It also investigated the architectural details of Nymphaeum,
southwest of Chalcidicum and the other small fountain adjacent to it in
the city of Leptis Magna during the Roman era, and how the city was
provided with water and the way(s) by which water was drained. To
address these inquires, a descriptively comparative analytical approach
was utilized. The results of the study revealed that the fountains were
built in the streets and commercial buildings to make the city look
more beautiful. The construction of such fountains, together with the
presence of the Nymphaeum "the Lion" in the north –east of the city
contributed to maintaining the balance of the general view in the front
side of Chalcidicum. Also, the fountains were deployed to perform
some services such as benefiting from the water of their basins, as to
exploit them in various aspects of life. The Nymphaeum was directly
linked to water tanks, and it was established beside the main drainage
channel. The designs of the fountains were influenced by religion and
Roman beliefs, so the city's fountains were replicated with small and
large sculptures representing their dominant beliefs, inspired by ideas
derived from the grandeur of the water, such as the statue of the
goddess "Venus". Despite the disappearance of some adornments that were dressing the building, the semi-circular and rectangular nichesthat were designated to place the statues were still present and they
undoubtedly played an important role in decorating the architectural
elements facing streets and squares.