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writer, while they are merely styled cities by another, this objection 
may readily be waived. Garapha is by Ptolemy styled by 
Scylax mXig, by Pliny, Oppidum ; Abrotonum is by Strabo called otX/?, 
by Scylax mXtg xcct by Pliny, Oppidum : Leptis Magna is rarely 
mentioned as a port, although it is well known to have been one ; and 
many more examples might be adduced by those m ho would take the 
trouble to collect them. 
^Vhat is now called modern Tripoly has been said by some writers 
to have been built by the early inhabitants of Northern Africa, 
under the name of Tarabilis or Trebiles; and the same authors have 
stated that the Koman term of Tripohs is derived from the name 
which they bestowed upon it. We have already noticed the impro- 
bability of this latter supposition ; and we may now venture to add, 
that there appears to be no proof of any town having been built upon 
the site of modern Tripoly before the erection of the city of Oea. 
Leptis Magna is known to have been built by the Phoenicians, on the 
authority of several Avriters of antiquity ; but the other two cities 
composing the Tripolis have always been considered of Roman origin, 
and no mention is made of any other having ever been assigned to 
them in works not comparatively modern. 
Leo Africanus, who may be supposed to have compiled his account 
of Africa from the authority chiefly of Mahometan historians, has 
given his testimony in favour of the native origin of Tripoly, while 
he states that Tripoli Vecchia was built by the Romans. “ Questa,” 
(Tripoli Vecchia) says the African geographer, “ e una citta antica 
edificata pur da’ Romani but of the other town he states, “ Tri- 
