Timgad

Timgad (Arabic تيمقاد ) is the modern name of the Roman city Thamugadi, the remains of which is located about 40 kilometers east of Batna in Algeria. The ancient city is since 1982 a UNESCO World Heritage Site belong.

The settlement was established in the year 100 under the Roman Emperor Trajan by Lucius Munatius Gallus, the legate of the Legio III Augusta, as a military colony to a previously populated place. The Colonia Marciana Traiana Thamugadi, as it was known by its full name, was in the Roman province of Africa proconsularis ( from 198 AD Numidia ) and has the typical square shape and square subdivision Roman fortified military camp. In late antiquity Thamugadi was an important seat of Donatism and bishopric, which sank in the 7th century with the Islamic expansion. On the bishopric today's titular Thamugadi the Roman Catholic Church is declining.

The site was declared a World Heritage Site, because here the typical structure of Roman towns founded is still clearly visible, which is not visible in other cities of Roman origin by later overbuilding.

Trivia

Timgad is also known for the annual music festival in the theater of ruins in Algeria. There appear to dance and music groups from Algeria and the neighboring Arab states. The large number of visitors at this event led to damage to the ruins in the past and deprive its status as a World Heritage Site as a result of repeated threat of UNESCO. For this reason, a modern theater is being built next to the ruined city.

People

  • Optatus of Thamugadi, 388-398 Donatist bishop of Thamugadi

Gallery

View over the city terrain

Arch of Trajan

775693
de