The Hills of the Graces

The Hill of the Graces, first published in 1897, is based upon the results of archaeological explorations carried out by the author during two visits to Tripoli, in 1895 and 1896.

Very little had been written about the Roman and pre-Roman sites of this region prior to Cowper’s investigations. the celebrated traveller Heinrich Barth provides a brief account of them in his writings, though these cover only a few of the major sites.

Considering the brevity of his visits, and the fact that he was obliged to work covertly due to a ban on all European travellers at that time, Cowper has left a remarkably detailed survey covering a large number of sites. Thus, not only does this book provide a travel narrative of great interest to the general reader, it is also an invaluable record of many ancient sites and monuments which have since been lost or have fallen into further disrepair.

Illustrated with almost 100 photographs taken by the author, and with maps and plans included, this work is essential reading for all those involved in serious study of the region.