Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima)
Thelepte · Thélepte · Medinet el-Kdima · Telept
Roman to Byzantine (1st c CE – 7th c CE; colonia under Trajan)·Roman / Byzantine (Byzacena)·🇹🇳 Kasserine Governorate, 5 km NE of Feriana, Algerian border steppe, Tunisia
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About
About Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima)
Byzacena road city at Sahara edge, Thelepte flourished as Byzantine dux capital with massive fortress (1.2 km circuit) built from Roman spolia, two basilicas with mosaics, baths and arches. Controls Capsa–Theveste caravan route.
Why it mattersKey Roman to Byzantine (1st c CE – 7th c CE; colonia under Trajan) site illustrating Roman / Byzantine (Byzacena) urbanism and frontier road city and byzantine ducal capital controlling dorsal–saharan passes.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Byzantine fortress vs Vandal period continuity
Theories
- 01Pringle frontier capital model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Road station on Capsa–Theveste road; colonia under Trajan c. 105 CE
- Period
- Roman to Byzantine (1st c CE – 7th c CE; colonia under Trajan)
- Culture
- Roman / Byzantine (Byzacena)
- Builders
- Roman
- Purpose
- Frontier road city and Byzantine ducal capital controlling Dorsal–Saharan passes
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Road station on Capsa–Theveste road; colonia under Trajan c. 105 CE
Initial construction / foundation
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
34.9722° N · 8.5897° E · 650 m · 3 mapped features
- Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima) — Principal GategateMain gate and rampart section at Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima)34.9728° N · 8.5903° E
- Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima) — Central Forum/BasilicaforumForum–basilica complex at Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima)34.9722° N · 8.5897° E
- Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima) — Baths/CisternsbathsBaths and cistern cluster at Thelepte (Feriana / Medinet el-Kdima)34.9716° N · 8.5891° E
Gallery