The ruins of Germa are located in southern Libya, 160 km south-west of Sebha. It was founded by the Garamantes, who belonged to a large Libyan tribe, experienced in desert travelling. The ancient Libyans, who used the feather as their symbol, recorded their battles and wars by engraving them on the rocks of the region. The importance of the region as a trade link between central Africa and the Mediterranean was similarly recorded, as were beautifully executed war chariots and horse carts.

In Germa, ancient houses, temples and baths carry the distinguished designs of the different civilizations that existed on this land; ancient Egyptian, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman. Other ruins in Germa suggest civilizations in the area dating back to 5000 B.C., such as that of Zinkakrah and Acacus, as evidenced by the coloured drawings and engravings in the nearby mountains.

The Garamantes, with the help of their neighbouring tribes, resisted the Roman influence. Their armies reached the fringes of Leptis Magna, hundreds of kilometres to the north.

Nevertheless, peaceful relations were not realized until the end of the 2nd century A.D., at the time of Libyan-born Emperor Septimius Sevcrus (193-211 A.D.).