Cite this garden Malek, A. (2021). "Water Sanctuary Aqua Septimiana Felix (Sanctuaire des eaux)." Gardens of the Roman Empire, accessed June 18, 2026. https://roman-gardens.github.io/id/87cb5112c9/

Water Sanctuary Aqua Septimiana Felix (Sanctuaire des eaux)

Contributor: Xue Xia
Published: 2021-04-21
Last modified: 2026-06-14

Dates

2nd-3rd century CE

Province

Province Description

Thamugadi, now known as Timgad, was founded as a colony during by Emperor Trajan around 100 CE. The city had a checker-board plan, measuring approximately 11 hectares (27 acres) total, containing a forum with Curia, an imperial temple, and a basilica. Between the second and fourth centuries, the city expanded from its original layout. Additional temples and baths were built, and the center of the city was expanded with the construction of luxurious houses, a library, and a new market. At the end of the fourth century, bishop Optatus of Timgad, a prominent member of the Donatist church, constructed the great west basilica. During the Byzantine conquest, a fortress was erected on the water sanctuary; the original site dating to the third or fourth century.

Location

Fig. 1: Plan of Thamugadi
Credit: (Courtois, C., 1951)

Location Description

Timgad, ancient Thamugadi was founded as a colony under Trajan. The city had a checker board plan, that measured 11ha. In the center was the forum with its Curia, an imperial temple and the basilica. Between the 2nd and the 4th century the city expanded out of its original layout. Temples, baths and a market were built and the center of the city was renovated with the construction of the library, the market and luxurious houses. At the end of the 4th century the bishop Optatus of Timgad a prominent member of the donatist church constructed the great west basilica. During the Byzantine conquest a fortress was erected on the water sanctuary dating to the 3rd and 4th century.

Garden

Water Sanctuary Aqua Eptimania Felix (Sanctuaire des eaux)

Garden Description

The water sanctuary lies beneath the Byzantine fort in the Northern suburbs of the city. An inscription that was discovered during the Byzantine fort excavations enumerates the embellishments that were undertaken in 213 by the city of Timgad for the sanctuary, Aqua Septimiana Felix: one of which, a bronze balustrade surrounding the spring (a pool with marble slabs of 3,6 m x 13, 60 m) and a viridarium surrounded by porticoes decorated with paintings (porticus virdiari (sic) picturis ornatas).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the Water Sanctuary Aqua Septimiana Felix
Credit: (Lassus, J., 1981, fig. 9)

Bibliography

  • Courtois, C., Timgad, antique Thamugadi, Alger, 1951. (worldcat)
  • Malek, A.-A., "Le Jardin Dans Les Sanctuaires De L'afrique Romaine: Premières Approches.", in Du Culte Aux Sanctuaires : L'architecture Religieuse Dans L'afrique Romaine Et Byzantine : Actes Du Colloque, 18-19 Avril 2013, Paris, Fondation Simone Et Cino Del Duca... -. (2018), p. 362, fig. 12. (worldcat)
  • Lassus, J., La forteresse byzantine de Thamugadi, Fouilles à Timgad, 1938-1956, Paris, 1981, plan p. 25, fig. 9, pp. 215-17, fig. 174-76. (worldcat)
  • Leschi, L., "Découvertes récentes à Timgad: Aqua Septimiana Felix", in CRAI, 1947, pp. 87-99. (worldcat)
  • Leschi, L., Etudes d'épigraphie, d'archéologie et d'histoire africaines, Paris, 1957, pp. 240-45, ici pp. 242. (worldcat)

Keywords

Places