2037 TUNISIA - Dougga / Thugga (UNESCO WHS), Amphitheatre of El Jem (UNESCO WHS), and Thuburbo Majus

2037 The Roman Tunisia - Dougga (The Capitol);
Amphitheatre of El Jem; Thuburbo Majus

Dougga or Thugga is an ancient Roman city located in the North-west region of Tunisia, perched on the summit of a hill at an altitude of 571 m, dominating the fertile valley of Oued Khalled. Before the Roman annexation of Numidia, Thugga had existed for more than six centuries and was, probably, the first capital of the Numidian kingdom. It flourished under Roman rule but declined during the Byzantine and Islamic periods. The impressive ruins which are visible today give an idea of the resources of a Romanised Numidian town.

The capitol is a Roman temple from the 2nd century CE, principally dedicated to Rome’s protective triad:  Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno Regina et Minerva Augusta. It has a secondary dedication to the wellbeing of the emperors Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius; judging by this reference, the capitol must have been completed in 166-167 CE. It is exceptionally well preserved, which is a consequence of its inclusion in the Byzantine fortification. A series of eleven stairs lead up to the front portico.

About Amphitheatre of El Jem, which bears outstanding witness to Roman architecture, notably monuments built for spectator events, in Africa, I wrote here.

Thuburbo Majus (or Thuburbo Maius) is a large Roman site in northern Tunisia, on a major African thoroughfare, which connects Carthage to the Sahara. Parts of the old Roman road are in ruins, but others do remain. It 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 to allow them to start their post-army lives with land of their own.

About the stamp
The stamp is part of the series Architecture of the City of Tozeur, about which I wrote here.

References
Dougga - Wikipedia
Dougga / Thugga - UNESCO official website
Thuburbo Majus - Wikipedia

Sender: Eunika Gos (direct swap)
Sent from Monastir (Monastir / Tunisia), on 03.09.2014