Leptis Magna - Libya

The former flag of Libya had been adopted in November 1977 and was used until 2011. The flag consisted of a green field without a crest or insignia and was the only single color flag in the world. Although uncommon, other countries have used single colored flags: Afghanistan, France, and the Sultanate of Muscat.

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Leptis Magna was an important trading city within the Roman Empire. The well preserved ruins are near the Libyan city of Khoms. Founded in 1000 BC, the city remained unknown until Carthage asserted itself as the leading Mediterranean power. Leptis fell under Roman control following Carthage’s defeat in the Third Punic War. The city reached its apex when Lucius Septimius Severus, a native of the city, became emperor. Under his patronage, Leptis Magna soon rivaled Alexandria and Carthage as Rome’s most important African city.

Sorghum - Libya

Sorghum bicolor - Sorghum is an ancient crop first domesticated in Northeastern Africa about 5,000 years ago. It serves as a food source for domesticated live stock and human beings. Sorghum is an ideal crop for arid regions; the leaves have a waxy cuticle and have the ability to roll up as a means to reduce transpiration; moisture lost through evaporation. The root-to-leaf surface area is large enough to provide a sufficient source of water. It is the world’s 5th most important cereal crop.

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The indigenous people of Northwestern Africa are known as Berbers or Amazighs. Several successful Berber states emerged in Northern Africa. The Zirids were a Sanhadja Berber dynasty governing over an area known as Ifriqiya and existed from 973 to 1148. The dynasty was weakened and then destroyed during the process of Arabization, a period beginning in the middle of the 11th century with the arrival of the Hilalians, an Arab tribe stemming from the Hejaz and Najd regions of Saudi Arabia.