Plan of the city with the submerged market in blue.
Located approximately 20 kilometres from the magnificent Greek city of Cyrene on the Mediterranean coast of Libya, Apollonia was established on a broad bay in the late 7th early 6th century BC by the Greeks colonists of Cyrene to serve as its port. Named after the god Apollo (Cyrene's protector), Apollonia remained Cyrene's port for over one thousand years. It was from here that cereals and food stuffs were shipped in the 4th century BC to feed ten Greek cities facing famine. Apollonia appears to have been hit by the tsunami caused by the Crete earthquake of 21 July 365 AD, due to which more than half of the city, as well as its port became submerged.
The remaining ruins include three churches, a theatre, roman baths and a Byzantine palace for the Dux (commander of the city).
Reat more:
http://www.livius.org/ap-ark/apollonia/apollonia.html
http://www.pbase.com/howardbanwell/cyrenaica
