Vazi Sarara
Henchir Bez · Vazi Sarra
Punic/Numidian to Byzantine (2nd c. BCE–7th c. CE; peak 2nd–5th c. CE)·Numidian / Roman / Byzantine·🇹🇳 Siliana Governorate, Tunisia
About
About Vazi Sarara
Vazi Sarara (Henchir Bez) is an inland Byzacena/ Africa Proconsularis colonia on the Siliana plain, founded as peregrine civitas and promoted colonia under Probus. Preserved capitol temple, curia, arch of Septimius Severus, and 3rd-c. house with Orpheus mosaic (Bardo). Extensive olive press counterweights illustrate late Roman oil intensification. Epigraphy documents pagus/civitas dual administration.
Why it mattersPagus–civitas archive; Probian colonia promotion rare epigraphic case.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Probian promotion motive
- 02Press capacity vs estate size
Theories
- 01Imperial estate fragmentation (De Vos)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Peregrine civitas 2nd c. BCE; Colonia Aurelia under Probus 276–282 CE
- Period
- Punic/Numidian to Byzantine (2nd c. BCE–7th c. CE; peak 2nd–5th c. CE)
- Culture
- Numidian / Roman / Byzantine
- Builders
- Roman veterans / Byzacena provincials
- Purpose
- Olive oil estate centre on imperial domain
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
2nd c. BCE
Peregrine civitas
276 CE
Colonia under Probus
3rd–4th c.
Mosaic houses built
1970s
Ferjaoui surveys
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0500° N · 9.1000° E · 460 m · 2 mapped features
Capitol of Vazi Sarara
temple18×10 m podium temple
36.0510° N · 9.1010° EOrpheus House Mosaic
house3rd-c. Orpheus mosaic house
36.0490° N · 9.0990° E