DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0053
Africa under the Cassars
23
rubble. At Thapsus (Dimas) the Punic sea-wall, nearly a quarter
of a mile long, not yet quite destroyed, was built up in frames
with small pebbles and mortar, like modern concrete construction.
To use the words of Shaw, the traveller, ' the walls are so well
cemented and knit together that a solid rock cannot be more
hard or durable.' In walking over the ploughed fields and
marshy lands of Bou-Chater, as Utica is now called, from
which the sea has receded several miles, it is difficult to believe
that some thirty or more feet under the surface lie the paved
streets and foundations of one of the oldest known cities in the
world. Although the plough literally turns up marble, it is the
marble of the Roman city. Older Utica lies below. The investi-
gations of the late M. Daux and of M. le Comte d'Herisson,
and their researches into the origin and development of Phoe-
nician emporia,1 are of comparatively recent date. A tribute
of gratitude is certainly due to them for having, under great
difficulties and with little information at their command, made
a careful study of Utica and of the remains of other coast
towns prior to the Roman occupation. Homeric Troy has been
unearthed, and Mycenae has given up its treasures. Perhaps
old Utica, which flourished 3,000 years ago, may engage the
attention of a future Schliemann, and throw additional light on
the history of an ancient people.
A few words must suffice for the Carthage of the Romans,
which has been ably described by so many writers of note.
Built on the site of the older city but occupying a smaller area,
it attained the climax of its prosperity early in the second
century. Some idea of its magnificence can be obtained from
the borrowed remains in marble and porphyry which still enrich
the principal mosques and palaces in North Africa, which help
1 M. A. Daux, Recherches sur VOrigine et VEmplacement des Emporiapheniciens
dans le Zeugis et le Byzacium, faites par ordre de VEmpereur, Paris, 1869 ; Le
Comte d'Herisson, Relation d'une Mission archeologiqtie en Tunisie, Paris, 1881.
The tract of country designated the Emporia comprises the coast of the lesser Syrtes,
with the towns located there. The principal city was Leptis Minor (Lemta), where
there was a considerable mercantile population. Under Carthaginian rule Leptis
paid tribute to Carthage amounting to one talent a day. Another important town
and port was Tacape (Gabes). Zeugitania or Zeugis, so called by Pliny and other
ancient geographers, is the old Phoenician territory, afterwards peopled by Cartha-
ginians. Byzacium or Byzacena included the country between Zeugis and Lake
Triton, together with the emporia, on the coast. Both these regions constitute
modern Tunisia.
23
rubble. At Thapsus (Dimas) the Punic sea-wall, nearly a quarter
of a mile long, not yet quite destroyed, was built up in frames
with small pebbles and mortar, like modern concrete construction.
To use the words of Shaw, the traveller, ' the walls are so well
cemented and knit together that a solid rock cannot be more
hard or durable.' In walking over the ploughed fields and
marshy lands of Bou-Chater, as Utica is now called, from
which the sea has receded several miles, it is difficult to believe
that some thirty or more feet under the surface lie the paved
streets and foundations of one of the oldest known cities in the
world. Although the plough literally turns up marble, it is the
marble of the Roman city. Older Utica lies below. The investi-
gations of the late M. Daux and of M. le Comte d'Herisson,
and their researches into the origin and development of Phoe-
nician emporia,1 are of comparatively recent date. A tribute
of gratitude is certainly due to them for having, under great
difficulties and with little information at their command, made
a careful study of Utica and of the remains of other coast
towns prior to the Roman occupation. Homeric Troy has been
unearthed, and Mycenae has given up its treasures. Perhaps
old Utica, which flourished 3,000 years ago, may engage the
attention of a future Schliemann, and throw additional light on
the history of an ancient people.
A few words must suffice for the Carthage of the Romans,
which has been ably described by so many writers of note.
Built on the site of the older city but occupying a smaller area,
it attained the climax of its prosperity early in the second
century. Some idea of its magnificence can be obtained from
the borrowed remains in marble and porphyry which still enrich
the principal mosques and palaces in North Africa, which help
1 M. A. Daux, Recherches sur VOrigine et VEmplacement des Emporiapheniciens
dans le Zeugis et le Byzacium, faites par ordre de VEmpereur, Paris, 1869 ; Le
Comte d'Herisson, Relation d'une Mission archeologiqtie en Tunisie, Paris, 1881.
The tract of country designated the Emporia comprises the coast of the lesser Syrtes,
with the towns located there. The principal city was Leptis Minor (Lemta), where
there was a considerable mercantile population. Under Carthaginian rule Leptis
paid tribute to Carthage amounting to one talent a day. Another important town
and port was Tacape (Gabes). Zeugitania or Zeugis, so called by Pliny and other
ancient geographers, is the old Phoenician territory, afterwards peopled by Cartha-
ginians. Byzacium or Byzacena included the country between Zeugis and Lake
Triton, together with the emporia, on the coast. Both these regions constitute
modern Tunisia.