Thuburbo Majus

Thuburbo Majus (or Thuburbo Maius) is a large Roman site in northern Tunisia. It is located roughly 60 km southwest of Carthage on a major African thoroughfare [Aïcha Ben Abed-Ben Khader, "Corpus des mosaïques de Tunisie II: Région de Zaghouan 3: Thuburbo Majus, les mosaïques dans la région ouest", review by David Parrish, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 97, No. 3. (Jul., 1993), pp. 590-591] . This thoroughfare connects Carthage to the Sahara. Other towns along the way included Sbiba, Sufes, Sbeitla, and Sufetula. Parts of the old Roman road are in ruins, but others do remain [Count Byron Khun de Prorok, "Ancient Trade Routes from Carthage Into the Sahara", Geographical Review, Vol. 15, No. 2. (Apr., 1925), pp. 190-205] . Romans started to build Thuburbo Majus in 27 BC.

Thuburbo Majus or Colonia Julia Aurelia Commoda, its Roman name, was originally a Punic town, later founded as a Roman veteran colony by Augustus in 27 BC. Military veterans were sent to Thuburbo, among other sites, by Augustus [Tenney Frank, "Vergil's First Eclogue and the Migration to Africa",The Classical Review, Vol. 40, No. 1. (Feb. - Mar., 1926), pp. 15-16] to allow them to start their post-army lives with land of their own. Its strategic location and access to trade routes made it an important establishment. Ruins of the town are in the middle of the countryside with no towns in close proximity.

Most of the town was built around 150 - 200 AD and restored in the 4th century after a 3rd century crisis. It received a Capitolium in 168 AD [The Cambridge Ancient History, pg. 980-1, Volume XI, Cambridge University Press 2000] . The town was a productive grower of grain, olives, and fruit [Jashemski, Foss, Lewis, Timpson, Lee, "Roman Gardens in Tunisia: Preliminary Excavations in the House of Bacchus and Ariadne and in the East Temple at Thuburbo Maius", American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 99, No. 4 (Oct., 1995), pp.559-576)] . Under Hadrian it was made a municipium, helping cause a growth in wealth, and Commodus made it a colony.

Excavations

A 1916 excavation found a tetrastyle temple. The building was decorated with statues of Apollo, Venus, Silvanus, Bacchus, the Dioscuri, and a satyr. Three perfume vases showed dogs pursuing rabbits [William N. Bates, "Archaeological News", American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 22, No. 1. (Jan. - Mar., 1918), pp. 73-100] .

In 1920 an inscription found in Thuburbo Majus written in honor of C. Vettius Sabinianus proved that several other inscriptions bearing that name were referring to the same person [Sidney N. Deane, "Archaeological News", American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 25, No. 1. (Jan. - Mar., 1921), pp. 83-109] .

Remains of the house of Bacchus and Ariadne dating back to the early 5th century were excavated in 1925. Researchers found the town to be a valuable site, as evidence of food preparation in a garden was discovered. Those and other finds point to what daily life in ancient Rome might have been like. Mosaics found in the town date to the late 4th century [Aïcha Ben Abed-Ben Khader, "Corpus des mosaïques de Tunisie II: Région de Zaghouan 3: Thuburbo Majus, les mosaïques dans la région ouest", review by David Parrish, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 97, No. 3. (Jul., 1993), pp. 590-591] . These mosaics depict items from nature, like a still life arrangement of food items and a sea filled with fish as young people fish from boats. Another mosaic represents a nude Venus riding a chariot, with plant life surrounding her to represent well-being and fertility.

This town does not have fully restored buildings, but there are remains of a forum, the amphitheatre, temples, baths, houses, and other sites.

References

External links

* [http://www.ancientplaces.tv/archives/24 Ancient Places TV: HD Video of Thuburbo Maius]
* [http://lexicorient.com/tunisia/thuburbo_majus.htm Lexicorient]