Thuburbo Maius on Gardens of the Roman Empire

Building of the Three Basins (Edifice des trois bassins)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

2nd-3rd century CE

Garden Description

This building, located to the NW of the Winter Baths, was comprised of three articulated sectors, the SE area, the NW area, and the area to the N of the NW area.

The SE area was laid out around an incomplete peristyle with seven columns along the NW and SW sides (Plan view, Fig. 1). Three semicircular pools projected into a large courtyard. A first pool was located at the extremity of the NW portico (II) facing the main reception room V, and there was a third of which only traces survive. The large court (I) of irregular shape (ca 24x10m) was not paved and may have been planted.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the Bulding of the Three Basins (CMT, Thuburbo Majus, V. II, fasc.2, plan 19-20)

Bibliography

Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région des Grands Thermes, V. II, fasc.2, INA, Tunis, 1985, pp. 101-13, plan 19-20. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987. (worldcat)
Bullo, S., Ghedini, F., Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp.230-232. (worldcat)

Keywords

East Temple (Temple de l'Est)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Unspecified

Garden Description

A strip of soil bordered most of the long sides of the temple and the mosaic paving in front of it (Plan view, Fig. 1). Preliminary excavations in 1990 in a strip 1m wide at the front of the garden, on the left, yielded a row of root cavities approximately 15cm in diameter and 50-70cm apart suggesting a formal planting. The size of the root cavities indicates that trees or large shrubs, perhaps laurels, were planted there. Temple gardens and groves are well known in the ancient world, primarily from literary evidence, but there is little archaeological evidence. For this reason the complete excavation of both strips of soil is extremely important. The soil in the preceding temples should also be excavated.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the East Temple

Credit: (CMT, V. II, fasc.4, plan 1-2. Malek, A.-A., 2018, fig. 14)

Bibliography

Alexander, M.A., Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A. and David, S., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Est, V. II, fasc.4,INA, Tunis, 1994, pp. 1-4, plan 1-2. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Jashemski, W. F., "Roman Gardens in Tunisia: Preliminary Excavations in the House of Bacchus and Ariadne and in the East Temple at Thuburbo Maius," AJA 99 (1995), pp. 559-576, p. 572, fig. 14. (worldcat)
Malek, A.-A., "Le jardin dans les sanctuaires du Maghreb romain, premières approches", in Du culte aux sanctuaires : l'architecture religieuse dans l'Afrique romaine et byzantine, V. Brouquier Reddé, Fr. Baratte, E. Rocca (dir.), Paris, de Boccard, coll. Orient et Méditerranée, 2018, pp. 213-230. (worldcat)

Keywords

House of Bacchus and Ariadne (Maison de Bacchus et Ariane)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

5th century CE

Garden Description

This large house, occupying most of an insula (excavated in l925), dates in its present form from the early fifth century. The SW part of the house was devoted to business, the production of olive oil.

The rooms on the NE side of the residence area were arranged around a peristyle garden. The mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne in the large room opening off of the NW portico gave the house its name. The bottom of the semicircular basin projecting into the garden opposite this room was decorated with a wavy water motif; the interior was decorated with plants and imitation marble. This part of the house would have been used by the family and the rooms on the SW for more personal purposes (Plan view, Fig.1). Preliminary excavations in this garden revealed a row of cavities along the southern edge of the garden. Roots arranged in a straight row suggest a produce garden.

The courtyard garden, opposite the triclinium, was located three steps below the triclinium. The triclinium had a view on the garden, framed by two columns. The semicircular mosaic pool (2.20 m in diameter, 1.10 m deep), which projected into the garden, was decorated on the bottom with the head of Oceanus. A pipe indicated where a fountain had jetted from his mouth.

When the 25-30 cm of soil that had accumulated through the centuries, probably transplanted by the wind, was removed in 1990, evidence of the plantings at the last occupation level was perfectly preserved. The soil that formed when the roots decayed was of an entirely different texture and color from that of the surrounding soil (Fig. 2), making the shape of the ancient roots at ground level as distinct as those of lapilli-filled cavities in the Vesuvian area. There were six large tree-root cavities, the largest dimension at ground level 30-50 cm in diameter, three smaller tree root cavities 18-20 cm in diameter, and many smaller cavities most of which were 5-10 cm in diameter (Fig. 3). Three large rectangular areas, approximately the same size (36 x 72 cm, 40 x 60 cm and 46 x 63 cm) and only a few cm deep, represented decayed wood, the two in the rear garden were probably the wooden bases of a garden bench or table. The one in the back of the mosaic fountain in full view of the triclinium perhaps supported a small table (Fig. 4).

Numerous olive pits and bones that showed evidence of burning were found in an area (ca 32 x 45 cm) near the rear of the garden, some on the surface, some shallowly buried. Nearby, in a place where there had been frequent fires, were more shallowly buried bones. Of the 34 bones found, five were those of pig (Sus scrofa L), eight were of sheep (Ovis aries L.) or domestic goat (Capra hirca L.), one was from a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.), and one from a carnivore (cf. Felis catus L.), probably a pet cat. The other bones were too badly broken to be identifiable. An apricot pit was found near the large tree-root cavity in the south corner of the garden.

The location of the cooking area behind the bench or table is logical. Homes at Thuburbo had no kitchens, and cooking was done in the garden. Servants would have cooked the food at the rear of the garden, using the table or bench (which was screened by plantings) for both supplies and cooking food, preparatory to serving guests in the formal triclinium. At other times, during the hot summer the family, and perhaps a few special guests, enjoyed meals in the garden. When the accumulated bones became a problem, they were raked into the fire, and those not burned were shallowly buried, as was the common Roman practice.

The gardens in Tunisia were not preserved at an exact moment in history, as were those in the Vesuvian area. The trees and shrubs in Tunisian gardens would have continued to grow for some time after the site was abandoned. What was uncovered in 1990 was not the garden at its prime. Some of the smaller roots may have been those of seedlings that grew from unpicked fruit that fell from the trees.

The trees in this garden were probably food bearing trees. Ancient Tunisia had few other trees. They knew the palm, pine and cypress, but these trees would have been overpowering in such a small garden. The two large tree-root cavities (on the right in Fig. 3) are the proper size and shape for olive trees. The middle tree on the left was perhaps a fig tree; the tree in the south corner of the garden may have been an apricot. The smaller trees were probably fruit or nut trees. The ancient Tunisians knew the quince, pomegranate, plum, citron, peach, apple, pear and grape – all pictured in the mosaics. There may also have been a few grapes raised for table use in this garden.

We next consider the identity of the many smaller roots. Since this garden was viewed from the large formal dining room, an effort would have been made to make it beautiful all year round. Fruit trees would have been beautiful in flower or fruit but they are deciduous. Only the olive tree is evergreen. Ornamental plant material in ancient Roman gardens was extremely limited, but the majority of the plants were evergreen and produced beautiful gardens in every season, welcome in winter and refreshingly cool in summer. The plant material in Tunisia was limited for the most part to the laurel, myrtle, rosemary, laurustinus, oleander, acanthus and ivy. There does not seem to be a place in this garden for ivy, but any of the other plants could have been used. Roman gardens had few flowers, especially with color. Roses are pictured in Tunisian mosaics and they may have been used in this garden. The oleander (Nerium oleander L.) with its striking pink flowers is the only colorful garden shrub. It is widespread in all Tunisia and tolerant of variable growing conditions. It seems probable that oleanders, so prominent in modern Tunisian gardens, as well as in the wild, also added color to this garden.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of Bacchus and Ariadne.

Credit: (CMT, V. II, fasc.4, Pl. XXIV. Jashemski, W. F., 1995, p. 561, fig. 2)

Images

Fig. 2: Decayed tree root 23 cm in diameter.

Credit: (Photo J. Foss, Jashemski, W. F., 1995, fig. 5)

Fig. 3: Detail, Plan of courtyard garden, House of Bacchus and Ariadne.

Credit: (Victoria I, Jashemski, W. F., 1995, fig. 7)

Fig. 4: Reconstruction of plantings in courtyard garden of House of Bacchus and Ariadne.

Credit: (Victoria I, Jashemski, W. F., 1995, fig. 11)

Bibliography

Alexander, M. A., Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A. and David, S., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Est, V. II, fasc.4, INA, Tunis, 1994, pp.39-66, Pl. XXIV. (worldcat)
Ben, Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Bullo, S., Ghedini, F., Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp.214-217. (worldcat)
Jashemski, W. F., "Roman Gardens in Tunisia: Preliminary Excavations in the House of Bacchus and Ariadne and in the East Temple at Thuburbo Maius," AJA 99 (1995), pp. 559-576. (worldcat)
Jashemski, W. F., "Ancient Roman gardens in Campania and Tunisia: a comparison of the -vidence," Journal of Garden History, 16/4,1996, pp. 231-243.(worldcat)
Jashemski, W. F., "The Courtyard Garden in the House of Bacchus and Ariadne -t Thuburbo Maius, Zaghouan, Tunisia" in Sourcebook for Garden Archaeology, Mthods, Techniques, Interpretations and Field examples, ed., A-A Malek, Berne, Suisse, Peter Lang, 2013, coll. Parcs et Jardins (Peter Lang/Fondations des parcs et jardins de France), pp. 595-601.(worldcat)
Lantier, R., "Un bassin a mosaiques de Thurburbo Majus", BAC 1944, pp. 280-82 (Bibliothèque nationale de France)
Malek, A.-A., "Le jardin au fil de l'eau : mises en scène paysagères dans les domus de Maghreb antique", in L'eau dans les villes du Maghreb et leur territoire à l'époque romaine, Brouquier-Reddé, V., Hurlet, F. (dir.), Bordeaux, Ausonius, 2018, pp. 235-254. (worldcat)

Keywords

House of Neptune (Maison de Neptune)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Early 3rd century CE

Garden Description

The house was laid out around a peristyle garden (IV-VIII), with four porticos supported by twelve columns. A low wall separated the porticos from the garden (Plan view, Fig. 1). A semicircular basin extended into the garden between the second and the third columns on the SE side. The cistern opening in the garden is adjacent to the middle column on the SE side. A large reception room (XVII) had a view of the basin and the garden.

Plans

Fig.1: Plan of the House of Neptune (CMT, Thuburbo Majus, V. II, fasc.1, plan 20-30)

Bibliography

Alexander, Margaret A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région du Forum, V. II, fasc.1, INA, Tunis, 1980, pp. 141-61, plan 20-30. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Bullo, S., Ghedini, F., Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp. 240-242. (worldcat)

Keywords

House of Nicentus (Maison de Nicentus)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

3rd-4th century CE

Garden Description

The house is adjacent to the E angle of the Forum at the back of the Curia.

It was laid out around a peristyle garden (VI-X) of 12 columns (Plan view, Fig. 1). A low wall separated the porticos from the garden. Two semicircular pools projected into the garden; they were located in the axis of two reception rooms. The largest of the pools faced the oecus (XIV); its bottom was paved with a fish mosaic and the inside depicted putti boating and swimming. The second basin on the SE side faced room XI.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of Nicentus ( CMT, V. II, fasc.1, plan 10-11)

Bibliography

Alexander, Margaret A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région du Forum, V. II, fasc.1, INA, Tunis, 1980, pp. 39-52, plan 10-11 (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Bullo, S. and F. Ghedini,. Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp.221-223. (worldcat)

Keywords

House of the Palms (Maison des Palmes)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Early 3rd century CE

Garden Description

The house of the Palms was located to the NW of the forum. A semicircular basin was installed at a later date over the mosaic in the NW portico at the edge of what was perhaps a small garden (Plan View, Fig. 1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of the Palms (CMT, V. II, fasc.1, plan 25-26. )

Bibliography

Alexander, M.A., Ben Abed, A. and Besrour, S., Corpus des mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région du Forum, V. II, fasc.1, INA, Tunis, 1980, pp. 115-27, plan 25-26. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Bullo, S., Ghedini, F., Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome, Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp.237-239. (worldcat)

Keywords

House of the Protomes (Maison des Protomés)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

4th century CE

Garden Description

This very large house on the western edge of the site had two sectors, the Trifolium area and the Protomes area (Plan view, Fig. 1).

The Trifolium sector, was laid out around a peristyle garden (I-V) enclosed on four sides by a portico of 12 columns. The garden, 35 cm lower than the level of the portico, had a deep rectangular pool (1) and a semicircular basin (2, 3) placed at each end of the garden on the axis of the oecus (XI). Eight ceramic vases (8 cm in dia., 30 cm deep) embedded in the sides of the pool provided places for the fish to lay eggs and served as shady retreats for the fish. The pool and the basins were paved with mosaics. These have been mostly destroyed, but pieces of the bottom paving of the basin (3) show birds and a hare among cut branches of flowers.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of the Protomes (CMT, V. II, fasc.3, plan 4-5)

Bibliography

Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987, pp. 27-60, plan 4-5. (worldcat)
Bullo, S., Ghedini, F., Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp.245-248. (worldcat)

Keywords

House of the Trussed Animals (Maison des animaux liés)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Early 3rd century CE

Garden Description

The house of the Trussed Animals is bordered on the E by the Baths of the Capitole. The house was laid out around a peristyle (V-VIII) (9x1.70 to1.80m) that enclosed a garden (IV) bounded by 8 columns. The large triclinium (XVIII), the oecus (XV) and the cubicula (IX, XVII) opened toward the garden (Plan View, Fig.1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of the Trussed Animals (CMT, plan 21, 22)

Bibliography

Alexander, Margaret A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région du Forum, INA, Tunis, 1980, pp. 91-108, plan 21, 22. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Bullo, S., Ghedini, F., Amplissimae atque ornatissimae domus: l'edilizia residenziale nelle città della Tunisia romana, Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 2003, pp.226-227. (worldcat)

Keywords

Peristyle Market (Marché)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Unspecified

Garden Description

The market located to the SW of the forum had a peristyle that enclosed an open space that may have been planted. With no evidence, Merlin suggested that the courtyard was paved with white mosaics but scholars do not agree. A large shade tree grows there today.

Images

Fig. 1: Plan of the Market(CMT, V. II, fasc.1, pp. 9-11, plan 3-4)

Bibliography

CMT, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région du Forum, V. II, fasc.1, INA, Tunis, 1980, pp. 9-11, plan 3-4. (Worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)

Keywords

Peristyle of the Petronii

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Unspecified

Garden Description

The courtyard of this large peristyle to the NE of the Summer Baths, dedicated by Petronius and his sons, may have been planted with avenues of trees as recommended by Vitruvius, and as in the Palaetra at Pompeii (Pan view, Fig. 1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the Peristyle of the Petronii

Fig. 2: Detail Plan of the Peristyle of the Petronii

Bibliography

CMT, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région des Grands Thermes, V. II, fasc.2,INA, Tunis, 1985, pp37-8, plan 5-6. (Worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)

Keywords

Temple of Baalat (Temple de Balaat)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

unspecified

Garden Description

Only the central passage (III) way leading to the temple (IV) was paved. The rest of the courtyard (II), which was enclosed by a portico (I), was probably planted as in temple E (Plan view, Fig.1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the Temple of Baalat (CMT, V. II, fasc.2, plan 10.)

Bibliography

Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région des Grands Thermes, V. II, fasc.2, INA, Tunis, 1985, pp. 51-3, plan 10. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Malek, A.-A., "Le jardin dans les sanctuaires du Maghreb romain, premières approches", in Du culte aux sanctuaires : l'architecture religieuse dans l'Afrique romaine et byzantine, V. Brouquier Reddé, Fr. Baratte, E. Rocca (dir.), Paris, de Boccard, coll. Orient et Méditerranée, 2018, pp. 213-230, 360, fig. 10. (worldcat)

Keywords

Temple of Caelestis (Temple de Caelestis)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

unspecified

Garden Description

The marble causeway leading to the temple was bordered on each side with soil that was probably planted as in temple E (Plan view, Fig. 1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the Temple of Caelestis (CMT, V. II, fasc.2, plan 9)

Bibliography

Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région des Grands Thermes, V. II, fasc.2, INA, Tunis, 1985, pp. 47-9, plan 9. (worldcat)
Ben Abed-Ben Khader, A., Corpus des Mosaïques de Tunisie, Thuburbo Majus, Les mosaïques de la région Ouest, V. II, fasc.3, INA, Tunis, 1987.(worldcat)
Malek, A.-A., "Le jardin dans les sanctuaires du Maghreb romain, premières approches", in Du culte aux sanctuaires : l'architecture religieuse dans l'Afrique romaine et byzantine, Brouquier Reddé, V., Baratte, Fr., Rocca E. (dir.), Paris, de Boccard, coll. Orient et Méditerranée, 2018, pp. 213-230, 360, pl. 10. (worldcat)