Thibilis (Announa)
Thiblis
Numidian to Byzantine (4th c BCE-7th c CE; peak 2nd-3rd c CE)·Numidian / Roman / Christian·🇩🇿 Guelma Province, Algeria
About
About Thibilis (Announa)
Thibilis (Announa, Sellaoua Announa) perches on a defensible hill 23 km SW of Guelma at centre of Hercules cult: sanctuary of Hercules Augustus with colossal altar, yoked double forum (forum vetus and forum novum with Capitol), arches of Marcus Aurelius and Severus, basilica with curia, baths and extensive cisterns. Sepulchral inscriptions reveal Numidian elite gentilices (Herculii). Well-preserved late-antique Christian chapel built over pagan altar demonstrates syncretism.
Why it mattersLargest Hercules sanctuary in Numidia, crucial for Melqart-Hercules transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether Hercules altar overlies Massinissa shrine
Theories
- 01Thibilis as civitas stipendiaria promoted via imperial cult
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Numidian town 4th c BCE; Roman municipium under Trajan/Hadrian; peak 2nd-3rd c; Christian phase 4th-6th c
- Period
- Numidian to Byzantine (4th c BCE-7th c CE; peak 2nd-3rd c CE)
- Culture
- Numidian / Roman / Christian
- Builders
- Numidian / Roman
- Purpose
- Hill sanctuary-city of Hercules Augustus, successor to Melqart, controlling Guelma plain
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
Numidian town 4th c BCE; Roman municipium under Trajan/Hadrian; peak 2nd-3rd c; Christian phase 4th-6th c
Initial construction
c. 1284 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
36.3833° N · 7.0167° E · 620 m · 2 mapped features
Forum of Thibilis (Announa)
forumForum
36.3843° N · 7.0177° ETemple of Thibilis (Announa)
templeTemple
36.3823° N · 7.0157° E