Gardens of the Roman Empire

Hermaphrodite House (Maison de l'Hermaphrodite)

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

Province

Province Description

The frontier between Numidia and Mauretania fluctuated during early the African kingdoms. It was fixed at the river of Ampsaga during Caesar's reign when he rewarded his ally King Bocchus, giving him part of the Numidian kingdom. By 31 BCE, Numidia (also known as Africa Nova) was under direct Roman control, becoming attached to the province of Africa Proconsularis. Toward 194 CE, Septimus Severus detached most of the Numidia territory from the province of Africa Proconsularis, forming a special province governed from Cirta by a procurator, subordinate to the imperial legate. With the Diocletian reforms, the whole of Roman Africa (with exception of Mauretania Tingitana) constituted a single diocese subdivided into six provinces, including Numidia Cirtensis with Cirta as capital.

Location

Fig. 1: Plan of Thamugadi

Credit: (Courtois, C., 1951)

Location 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.

Garden

Hermaphrodite House (Maison de l'Hermaphrodite)

Keywords

Garden Description

The large house was laid out around a large peristyle of 22 columns. In the axis of the triclinium was a rectangular pool. The courtyard may have been planted (Plan view, Fig. 1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the Hermaphrodite House

Credit: (Germain, S., 1969, fig. 7)

Dates

3rd century CE?

Bibliography

Ballu, A., Les ruines de Timgad, Paris, 1903, p. 90-94. (worldcat)
Courtois, C., Timgad, antique Thamugadi, Alger, 1951. (worldcat)
Germain, S., Les mosaïques de Timgad, Paris, 1969, p. 65, fig. 7. (worldcat)

Places

House at the west of the Filadelfes (Maison à l'ouest des Bains des Filadelfes)

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

Province

Province Description

Location

Fig. 1: Plan of Thamugadi

Credit: (Courtois, C., 1951)

Location Description

Garden

House at the west of the Filadelfes (Maison à l'ouest des Bains des Filadelfes)

Keywords

Garden Description

This large house (2500m2) was laid out around two peristyles. The E peristyle had 12 columns onto which at least three rooms opened. The large peristyle on the W, was bordered by three porticos, its large courtyard may have been planted. Between the peristyles was placed a reception room that opened into each of them.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House at the west of the filadelfes Baths.

Credit: (Germain, S., 1969, fig. 10)

Dates

3rd-5th century CE?

Bibliography

Ballu A., Rapport, 1922, p. 47-53. (worldcat)
Ballu A., Rapport 1923, p. 45-47: plan dépliant. (worldcat)
Courtois, C., Timgad, antique Thamugadi, Alger, 1951. (worldcat)
Germain, S. Les mosaïques de Timgad, Paris, 1969, p. 81, fig. 10. (worldcat)

Places

House of Sertius (Maison de Sertius)

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

Province

Province Description

Location

Fig. 1: Plan of Thamugadi

Credit: (Courtois, C., 1951)

Location Description

Garden

House of Sertius (Maison de Sertius)

Keywords

Garden Description

This large domus the result of the combining of two houses, is located at the periphery of the center of the city. The domus is laid out around two peristyles. The first, near the vestibule had a long rectangular basin placed in the axis of the triclinium, the two strips that bordered the pool may have been planted. The second peristyle with 8 columns had a semi-circular basin (Plan view Fi.1).

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of Sertius

Credit: (Boeswillwald, E., Cagnat, R., Ballu, A., 1905, plan fig. 152)

Dates

3rd-5th century CE?

Bibliography

Boeswillwald, E., Cagnat, R., Ballu, A., Timgad une cité africaine sous l'Empire romain, Paris, 1905; pp. 326-333, plan fig. 152. (worldcat)
Courtois, C., Timgad, antique Thamugadi, Paris, 1951, p 53, plan with scale. (worldcat)
Germain, S. Les mosaïques de Timgad, Paris, 1969, p. 59. (worldcat)
Lassus, J., "Une opération immobilière à Timgad", in Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire offerts à André Piganiol, Paris, 1966, pp. 1221-1231. (worldcat)

Places

House of the Planters (Maison aux jardinières)

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

Province

Province Description

Location

Fig. 1: Plan of Thamugadi

Credit: (Courtois, C., 1951)

Location Description

Garden

House of the Planters (Maison aux jardinières)

Keywords

Garden Description

Located SW of the Decumanus and NE of the forum, the house of the "Jardinières" almost square shaped, was laid out around a peristyle of 10 columns. Along the three porticoes and the angles of the fourth were arranged planters (10,50 x10,50 m) whose contours are curved. Double herm-heads or two sided-plaque with masks were found, they may have surmounted the corner pilasters of the courtyard. In the middle was a well. Facing the entrance and opening towards the courtyard, a large reception room was surrounded on its two sides by a vestibule leading to a room. (Plan view Fig.1; Fig.2)

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of the Planters

Credit: (Boeswillwald, E., Cagnat, R., Ballu, A., 1905, plan fig. 40)

Images

Fig. 2: Drawing of the courtyard of the House of the Planter

Credit: (Ballu, A., 1897,fig. 36)

Dates

2nd-3rd century CE?

Bibliography

Ballu, A., Les ruines de Timgad (Antique Thamugadi), Paris, 1897, pp. 224-226, plan fig. 36. S. (worldcat)
Boeswillwald, E., Cagnat, R., Ballu, A., Timgad: une cité africaine sous l'Empire romain, Paris, Leroux, 1905, pp. 88-92, Plan fig.40.(worldcat)
Courtois, C., Timgad, antique Thamugadi, Alger, 1951. (worldcat)
Germain, S., Les mosaïques de Timgad, Paris, 1969, p. 37. (worldcat)

Places

House of the Warehouse (Maison de l'entrepôt)

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

Province

Province Description

Location

Fig. 1: Plan of Thamugadi

Credit: (Courtois, C., 1951)

Location Description

Garden

House of the Warehouse (Maison de l'entrepôt)

Keywords

Garden Description

This large house was laid out around two peristyles (A,B) arranged along the N S axis. The plan presents a complex layout notably in the southern part of the domus upon which the excavators did not comment thoroughly (Plan view, Fig. 1).

The S part of the domus was probably added in a latter period. It presents a peristyle (B) on which a reception room (C) projected and a series of galleries terminating with an apsidal form. The N peristyle (A) had four porticoes, the S gallery was a continuous colonnade that crossed the W and E porticoes. On the N and W, a vestibule and reception rooms opened towards the peristyle (A). A large rectangular basin oriented NS was placed on the axis of the vestibule, which projected into the courtyard. It seems that the S reception room (C) opened also toward the N peristyle (A). Along the NS axis a semi-circular basin projecting into the peristyle (B) and facing a reception room was placed in between the fourth and the fifth columns. The courtyards of the peristyles may have been planted.

Plans

Fig. 1: Plan of the House of the Warehouse

Credit: (Germain, S., 1969, fig. 12)

Dates

Unspecified

Bibliography

Ballu, A., Les ruines de Timgad, Sept années de découvertes, Paris, 1911, p. 49-53,120, plan p. 51. (worldcat)
Courtois, C., Timgad, antique Thamugadi, Alger, 1951. (worldcat)
Germain, S., Les mosaïques de Timgad, Paris, 1969, p. 88, fig. 12. (worldcat)

Places

Water Sanctuary Aqua Septimiana Felix (Sanctuaire des eaux)

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

Province

Province Description

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 IInd and the IVth 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 IVth 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 IIIrd and IVth century.

Garden

Water Sanctuary Aqua Eptimania Felix (Sanctuaire des eaux)

Keywords

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)

Dates

2nd-3rd century CE

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)