Lugares de interés (POIs) del Mapa
0: Cyrene (Libya)
Cyrene (Libya)
Sanctuary of Apollo, Cyrene. Image Attribution: Xavier de Jauréguiberry
Situated in present day Libya, Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony, one of the most important cities in the region. It later became part of the Roman Empire, before declining terminally in the Byzantine period.
Built on a series of levels, the spectacular ruins of Cyrene exist near the modern village of Shahhat, with a thousand years of history written into them. They include the Sanctuary and Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis, the Agora, the Forum, the Stoa of Hermes and Heracles, the House of Jason Magnus, the Nine Muses and the Temple of Zeus.
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1: Leptis Magna (Libya)
Leptis Magna (Libya)
Arch to Alexandria. Image Attribution: Grete Howard
Originally a small town of no particular importance, the backwater's standing soared to prominence when one of its natives, Septimius Severus, rose to the rank of Emperor in AD193. Compelled to make the location worthy of its favourite son, Septimius poured money and effort into the city.
Italian archaeologists of the early 20th century also put a great deal of work into reconstruction. Today, the location is one of the few remaining that projects a sense of what an Imperial city was really like in its day, from the glorious arch standing at the crossroads of the Cardo and Decumanus, to the wonderful theatre with the sea backdrop, with markets and bathhouses en route..
Read more about Leptis Magna at Heritage Key!
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2: Sabratha (Libya)
Sabratha (Libya)
Roman relief sculpture on the front of the stage at the Theatre, Sabratha, Libya. . Image Attribution: Elizabeth C
About 65km west of Tripoli, Sabratha is in north-western Libya. It was established in approximately 500 BC as a Phoenician trading-post where merchants could trade with Berbers from Africa's interior. Sabratha was part of Numidia under King Massinissa but it was then rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Septimus Severus was born in nearby Leptis Magna, and Sabratha's fortune rose with that of its neighbouring city. Earthquakes in the fourth century badly damaged Sabratha during the 4th century. It was rebuilt on a more modest scale by Byzantine governors but under Arab rule it become nothing more than a small village.
The most remarkable monument in Sabratha is its theatre, which has recently been restored by a team of Italians. Dating from the late 3rd century, its elaborate columned stage wall is still in spectacular condition. As well as temples, there is a Christian basilica and some remains of the mosaic floors from Roman villas (for example, Villa Sileen, near Al-Khoms).
Read more about Sabratha at Heritage Key!
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3: El Djem (Tunisia)
El Djem (Tunisia)
Arch to Alexandria. Image Attribution: Nikolaos Pantazis
Originally known by the Roman's as Thysdrus, this city was built on the site of a Punic settlement. It rose to its peak during the second century AD when it prospered as an exporter of olive oil. Its famous amphitheatre was built at the start of the third century AD, and Thysdrus became one of the most important centres in the region after Carthage (it was of a similar size to Sousse, known as Hadrumetum to the Romans). Disaster struck the city in 238 AD, when a revolt again Rome began there and failed. Gordian I committed suicide and Roman troops suppressed the revolt by destroying Thysdrus.
By the early 3rd century AD, when the amphitheatre was built, Thysdrus rivalled Hadrumetum (modern Sousse) as the second city of Roman North Africa, after Carthage. However, following the abortive revolt that began there in 238 AD, and Gordian I's suicide in his villa near Carthage, Roman troops loyal to the Emperor Maximinus Thrax destroyed the city. It never really recovered.
Read more about El Djem at Heritage Key!
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4: Dougga (Tunisia)
Dougga (Tunisia)
Image Attribution: Marmontel
Dougga was known as Thugga to the Romans. It became a a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The ruins of the city are in northern Tunisia about 90 km south-west of Tunis. The ruins cover an area of 65 hectares.
Although it began its life as a Berber fort, it then became the seat of Massinissa, Numidia's first king during the second century BC. The fortified village was then occupied by the Romans in the second century BC. Its impressive theatre was built in 168 AD. As with many Roman towns in northern Africa, Dougga went into decline after it was sacked and occupied by the Vandals.
Read more about Dougga at Heritage Key!
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5: Sbeitla (Tunisia)
Sbeitla (Tunisia)
Sbeitla ruins. Image Attribution: ben.robbeets
The most striking feature here is the golden pink look of the buildings. A large city with virtually all the remains dating from its Roman period starting about AD100, the best complex is around the Forum. Here, the capitoleum, a temple dedicated to the three main deities, Jupiter/Saturn, Juno and Minerva, found in most Roman towns, is unusually divided into thirds, with three different adjoining buildings, each a beautiful construction in its own right. Ironically, also an important Christian site, there are remains of early churches, basilicas and baptismal fonts.
Read more about Sbeitla at Heritage Key!
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6: Bulla Regia (Tunisia)
Bulla Regia (Tunisia)
Ruins of Bulla Regia. Image Attribution: Amphipolis
Remains (dolmens) indicate the site was inhabited as early as 1000BC, but it's the Roman aspects that make this place odd, if not unique. Most of the city lies underground, with elaborate, catacomb-like residences situated beneath the earth. Many of the villas are intact and contain superb mosaics, particularly the one in the eponymous House of Amphitrite.
Explanations as to the subterranean nature of the town include harsh weather, but I'm not convinced, as the climate in this part of Tunisia isn't worse than other above ground settlements. The Forum, and other areas including the large, elaborate thermal baths of Julia Memmia (the wealthy niece of the Emperor Septimius Severus's second wife) are above ground.
Read more about Bulla Regia at Heritage Key!
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7: Timgad (Algeria)
Timgad (Algeria)
Roman ruins, Timgad. Image Attribution: Pierre M
Timgad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Known as Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi by the Romans, it was a new town built by Trajan in 100 AD as a military garrisson, and provides a clear insight into the Romans' use of town planning. Today it is situated in Algeria, 35 km east of the town of Batna.
During the third century AD, Timgad became a centre for Christianity and thereafter was also a focal point for Donatist activity. By the fifth century AD, Timgad was sacked by Vandal invaders and it fell into decline soon after, only to be sacked again by Berbers two centuries later and being ultimately abandoned.
Read more about Timgad at Heritage Key!
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8: Djemila (Algeria)
Djemila (Algeria)
Arc de Triomphe, Djemila. Image Attribution: Supekutoruman
Djemila (called Cuicul by the Romans) lies 900m above sea level in the mountains of Algeria. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. It is a good example of Roman city architecture in a mountainous landscape and its main monuments include temples, a theatre, arches and basilicas, as well as streets and houses.
Cuicul was founded during the first century AD and its original use was as a military base although it later expanded considerably to become a large market town where agricultural produce was traded.
A new forum was built during the third century and a theatre was built outside the city walls (due to space restriction on the mountainous terrain). The basilica was built in the fourth century as Christianity established itself. As with other Roman towns in Africa, it was abandoned after the fall of the empire.
Read more about Djemila at Heritage Key!
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9: Volubilis (Morocco)
Volubilis - Triumphal Arch (Morocco)
Arch to Alexandria. Image Attribution: peamasher
Volubilis was an important Roman town that was built on the site of an earlier Carthaginian settlement, which in turn overlies a previous neolithic site. The area exhibits some of the most well preserved ruins in that part of the continent.
Every Roman town included a military and ceremonial structure in the form of a triumphal arch. These are free-standing monumental archways. The example at Volubilis is situated and the end of the main street Decumanus Maximus. Other ruins include that of The Forum columns and The Basilica 10 meter high walls. Mosaics are also on display.
Read more about Volubilis at Heritage Key!
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