DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0303
Africa under the Gordians 231
some of them ignore the monument altogether. There is little
doubt, however, that many inscribed stones, removed from the
amphitheatre from time to time, are built into the walls of
Arab huts in the adjacent village of El-Djem, and that a
systematic exploration of the site of the ancient town would
bring to light some record of the building of this gigantic
structure. For the present we must be content with traditional
history, and assume (there is reasonable ground for the as-
sumption) that the building was planned and nearly completed
under the Gordian dynasty. The coming celebration of the
tenth centenary of the foundation of Rome, for which the
Gordians were preparing, would promote the building of amphi-
theatres and the completion of those that were in progress, not
only in Rome, but in every province of the Empire. Capitolinus
tells us plainly that the preparations of Gordian III. were on the
most extensive scale, and that his munificence in encouraging
the games of the arena was not surpassed by any one of the
Roman Emperors.
Like the aqueduct of Carthage, this monument at T/ij'sdrus
is a standing testimony to the force of imperial will, and to
the strength and determination so conspicuous in the Roman
character. It mattered little to the Emperor whether stone or
marble were at hand or transport of materials difficult. In the
quarries at Sullecticm, some twenty miles distant, stone of excel-
lent quality was abundant, and to all appearances this stone and
no other was used. What were the appliances for conveying
tens of thousands of huge blocks of chiselled stone so long
a distance, or how many thousands of forced labourers were
employed on the wTork, we have no means of knowing. It is
sufficient for us to regard with amazement the audacity of an
undertaking which, in the present day and in the actual con-
dition of the country, would be stamped with impossibility
Like all the other great amphitheatres of the Empire, the
divisions and arrangements of the one at Thysdrus present no
distinctive features, having externally the usual open arcades,
each presenting a complete Order. In this one the first and
third are of Corinthian Order, and the second Composite.
Whether the attic was Corinthian or not we have no means
of judging, as only a portion of the inner wall of the top story
remains. There were two principal entrances, one of which
some of them ignore the monument altogether. There is little
doubt, however, that many inscribed stones, removed from the
amphitheatre from time to time, are built into the walls of
Arab huts in the adjacent village of El-Djem, and that a
systematic exploration of the site of the ancient town would
bring to light some record of the building of this gigantic
structure. For the present we must be content with traditional
history, and assume (there is reasonable ground for the as-
sumption) that the building was planned and nearly completed
under the Gordian dynasty. The coming celebration of the
tenth centenary of the foundation of Rome, for which the
Gordians were preparing, would promote the building of amphi-
theatres and the completion of those that were in progress, not
only in Rome, but in every province of the Empire. Capitolinus
tells us plainly that the preparations of Gordian III. were on the
most extensive scale, and that his munificence in encouraging
the games of the arena was not surpassed by any one of the
Roman Emperors.
Like the aqueduct of Carthage, this monument at T/ij'sdrus
is a standing testimony to the force of imperial will, and to
the strength and determination so conspicuous in the Roman
character. It mattered little to the Emperor whether stone or
marble were at hand or transport of materials difficult. In the
quarries at Sullecticm, some twenty miles distant, stone of excel-
lent quality was abundant, and to all appearances this stone and
no other was used. What were the appliances for conveying
tens of thousands of huge blocks of chiselled stone so long
a distance, or how many thousands of forced labourers were
employed on the wTork, we have no means of knowing. It is
sufficient for us to regard with amazement the audacity of an
undertaking which, in the present day and in the actual con-
dition of the country, would be stamped with impossibility
Like all the other great amphitheatres of the Empire, the
divisions and arrangements of the one at Thysdrus present no
distinctive features, having externally the usual open arcades,
each presenting a complete Order. In this one the first and
third are of Corinthian Order, and the second Composite.
Whether the attic was Corinthian or not we have no means
of judging, as only a portion of the inner wall of the top story
remains. There were two principal entrances, one of which