Thaenae (Thyna) – Roman Byzacena Port
Thaenae · Thenae · Thyna · Tina
Punic / Roman / Byzantine (4th c BCE–7th c CE)·Punic / Roman·🇹🇳 Sfax Governorate, Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia
About
About Thaenae (Thyna) – Roman Byzacena Port
Southernmost Roman city of Africa Proconsularis and port of Byzacena, founded as Punic emporion then Augustan colonia at junction of coastal road and olive hinterland. Extensive ruins under salt marsh: amphitheatre (largest in southern Tunisia, 90×68 m), thermae with Oceanus mosaics, capitol, necropolis and 8 km aqueduct from Thyna aquifers. Occupied 4th c BCE to 7th c CE, sacked by Vandals then Byzantines.
Why it mattersType-site for Byzacena olive economy; amphitheatre shows African provincial architecture.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Punic harbour extent under sebkha
Theories
- 01Customs gate for Tripolitanian frontier
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 4th–3rd c BCE Punic emporion; Roman colonia under Augustus c.20 BCE
- Period
- Punic / Roman / Byzantine (4th c BCE–7th c CE)
- Culture
- Punic / Roman
- Builders
- Carthaginian traders then Roman veterans
- Purpose
- Olive-oil export port and road station on Tacape–Acholla route
- Abandoned
- c.650 CE Arab conquest
- Rediscovered
- Guérin 1862, Sadoux excavations 1900–1929
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.300 BCE
Punic amphora kilns
Augustan age
Colonia Thaenae founded, amphitheatre laid out
1907
Gauckler mosaic hoard to Sfax museum
On the ground
Structures & features
34.6873° N · 10.7205° E · 5 m · 3 mapped features
Amphitheatre of Thaenae
amphitheatreElliptical arena with substructures for venationes
34.6871° N · 10.7201° EThermae (Baths)
bathLarge vaulted baths with Oceanus mosaic
34.6876° N · 10.7208° EAqueduct Intake
hydraulicCatchment channel remnants feeding cisterns
34.6885° N · 10.7195° E
Gallery