Volubilis
Walili · Oualili · Ancient Volubilis
Mauretanian to Early Islamic (3rd c BCE Berber settlement; Roman 25 BCE–285 CE; Idrisid 788 CE)·Mauretanian / Roman / Berber / Early Islamic (Idrisid)·🇲🇦 Fès-Meknès (near Meknès), Morocco
About
About Volubilis
Roman Mauretania Tingitana capital with 42 ha walled city, Volubilis preserves 2nd–3rd c town: Decumanus Maximus 400 m, Forum, Capitol, Basilica, Arch of Caracalla (217 CE erected for Caracalla and mother Julia Domna), 10 mosaic mansions (House of Orpheus, Labours of Hercules, Venus). Morocco's finest Roman mosaics in situ. Later Idris I early Islamic capital 788. Views to Zerhoun Hills.
Why it mattersGreatest Roman city in Morocco; finest North African mosaics
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Diocletian abandoned Volubilis 285 CE voluntarily – tribal pressure vs economic
- 02Idrisid palace location within late antique core – conversion reuse
Theories
- 01Volubilis abandoned as consistent frontier retreat not sack – orderly wall narrowing
- 02Mosaics produced by African workshop itinerant from Tingis (Thébert)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Mauretanian city 3rd c BCE; Roman grid 25 BCE Juba II; Arch 217 CE
- Period
- Mauretanian to Early Islamic (3rd c BCE Berber settlement; Roman 25 BCE–285 CE; Idrisid 788 CE)
- Culture
- Mauretanian / Roman / Berber / Early Islamic (Idrisid)
- Purpose
- Roman provincial capital for olive oil plain, later Idrisid founder's seat proclaiming Morocco
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
Mauretanian city 3rd c BCE; Roman grid 25 BCE Juba II; Arch 217 CE
Initial construction
c. 1288 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
34.0750° N · 5.5556° W · 390 m · 3 mapped features
Arch of Caracalla
triumphal arch14 m marble arch dedicated to Caracalla 217 CE over decumanus
34.0745° N · 5.5545° WHouse of Orpheus
villaPeristyle house 1,800 m² with Orpheus charming animals mosaic in triclinium
34.0755° N · 5.5565° WForum and Capitol
forumForum 45×35 m with Basilica and Capitol temple podium
34.0750° N · 5.5558° W