13.2 North African Art: Mosaics and Architecture

North African art in Late Antiquity showcases the region's rich Roman heritage. Mosaics, like the Dominus Julius Mosaic, reveal the opulent lifestyles of wealthy landowners, while grand villas and underground dwellings demonstrate architectural ingenuity in the hot climate.

Impressive amphitheaters and theaters, such as El Djem and Carthage, highlight the importance of public spectacles. Well-preserved Roman cities like Djemila and Timgad offer glimpses into urban planning and daily life in this thriving part of the empire.

Roman Mosaics and Villas

Dominus Julius Mosaic

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• Discovered in Carthage, Tunisia in the late 19th century
• Dates back to the 4th century AD during the Late Antique period
• Depicts a wealthy landowner named Dominus Julius and his wife
• Surrounded by scenes of rural life, hunting, and agricultural activities
• Showcases the prosperity and luxury of Roman villas in North Africa
• Demonstrates the high level of skill and artistry in Roman mosaic production
• Provides insight into the social and economic life of the Roman elite in North Africa

Bordj el Djedid Villa

• Located in Carthage, Tunisia near the ancient Punic ports
• Dates back to the 3rd-4th century AD during the Late Antique period
• Consists of a large residential complex with multiple rooms and courtyards
• Features elaborate mosaic floors with geometric patterns and figurative scenes
• Includes a triclinium (dining room) with a mosaic depicting the Triumph of Dionysus
• Demonstrates the wealth and status of the villa's owners
• Provides evidence of the continued prosperity of Carthage in the Late Antique period

Bulla Regia

• An ancient Roman city located in northwestern Tunisia
• Flourished during the Late Antique period from the 3rd-5th centuries AD
• Known for its unique underground villas with atrium-style courtyards
• Villas feature elaborate mosaic floors with geometric and figurative designs
• Includes the House of the Hunt mosaic depicting hunting scenes and wild animals
• Demonstrates the adaptation of Roman architecture to the hot North African climate
• Provides evidence of the wealth and luxury of the Roman elite in provincial cities

Roman Amphitheaters and Theaters

El Djem Amphitheater

• Located in the city of El Djem, Tunisia
• Built in the 3rd century AD during the reign of Emperor Gordian III
• One of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world
• Could seat up to 35,000 spectators for gladiatorial games and animal hunts
• Constructed using local limestone and marble imported from Italy
• Demonstrates the importance of public spectacles in Roman provincial cities
• Reflects the wealth and power of the Roman Empire in North Africa

Carthage Theater

• Located in the ancient city of Carthage, Tunisia
• Built in the 2nd century AD and renovated in the 4th-5th centuries
• One of the largest Roman theaters in North Africa with a capacity of up to 5,000 spectators
• Used for theatrical performances, music concerts, and public assemblies
• Features a large stage and a semicircular seating area (cavea) divided into three tiers
• Demonstrates the importance of theater and performance in Roman cultural life
• Reflects the continued prosperity and cultural vitality of Carthage in the Late Antique period

Roman Cities and Archaeological Sites

Djemila

• An ancient Roman city located in northeastern Algeria
• Founded in the 1st century AD as Cuicul and flourished in the 2nd-3rd centuries
• Known for its well-preserved Roman ruins including a forum, temples, and houses
• Features a unique semi-circular forum with a central temple and surrounding porticoes
• Includes the House of Bacchus mosaic depicting the god of wine and revelry
• Demonstrates the urban planning and architectural achievements of the Romans in North Africa
• Provides insight into the daily life and culture of a Roman provincial city

Timgad

• An ancient Roman city located in northeastern Algeria
• Founded in the 1st century AD as Thamugadi by Emperor Trajan
• Known for its orthogonal urban plan with a regular grid of streets and insulae (city blocks)
• Features well-preserved Roman ruins including a forum, basilica, and theater
• Includes the Arch of Trajan marking the entrance to the city and celebrating imperial power
• Demonstrates the application of Roman urban planning principles in a colonial context
• Provides evidence of the Roman presence and influence in North Africa

Leptis Magna

• An ancient Roman city located on the coast of Libya
• Founded by Phoenician settlers in the 7th century BC and became a major Roman port city
• Reached its height of prosperity and influence in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD under Septimius Severus
• Features monumental Roman architecture including a forum, basilica, and amphitheater
• Includes the Arch of Septimius Severus celebrating the emperor's North African origins
• Demonstrates the wealth and power of Leptis Magna as a major center of trade and commerce
• Reflects the cultural and artistic fusion of Roman and North African influences

Hippo Regius

• An ancient Roman city located in northeastern Algeria
• Served as an important port and center of early Christianity in North Africa
• Known as the bishopric of Saint Augustine in the 4th-5th centuries AD
• Features Roman ruins including a forum, baths, and early Christian basilicas
• Includes the Basilica of Peace built by Saint Augustine as a center of theological study
• Demonstrates the spread and influence of Christianity in Roman North Africa
• Provides insight into the religious and intellectual life of the Late Antique period

Museums

Bardo Museum

• Located in Tunis, Tunisia and housed in a former Ottoman palace
• One of the largest and most important museums of Roman and Islamic art in North Africa
• Features an extensive collection of Roman mosaics from sites across Tunisia
• Includes famous mosaics such as the Virgil Mosaic and the Triumph of Neptune
• Also displays artifacts from pre-Roman Punic and Numidian cultures
• Provides a comprehensive overview of the history and art of ancient Tunisia
• Serves as a major center for the study and preservation of North African cultural heritage