Djemila is an ancient Roman city located in the north-east of Algeria, which used to be called Cuicul. Founded at the end of the first century AD by the ruler of Nerva as an outpost or military garrison, the small settlement turned into a paradise a couple of centuries later. The ancient town owed its prosperity to agriculture. Today, numerous ruins remain of it, many of which are in excellent condition. In 1982, the site was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Historical Background
Located 50 kilometres south of the Algerian city of Setif, Djemila was built as a fortified military camp, which was an example of the traditional layout of town planning in the Roman Empire. The settlement had a square shape, and its two main streets intersected at right angles and divided the territory into equal parts - there were four in total.
The first settlers here were veteran legionnaires, who were given land grants for loyal service. In the next four centuries, the city was actively built up and grew. Then there was a forum, several temples, a giant amphitheatre for 5 thousand spectators, thermal baths and a market.
Due to the humid climate the city was green, it was surrounded by vast fields of wheat and extensive olive groves. Thanks in large part to Jemila, Algiers came to be regarded as the "breadbasket" of ancient Rome. However, the prosperity of the locals was soon jeopardised by a Vandal attack in 431. It was possible to liberate the settlement only a hundred years later - in 533. But this did not save the city - because of the changing climate and the advancing desert people began to leave it en masse.
Excavations of Djemila began in 1909. Archaeologists managed to find many treasures. But today the sights of the ancient era on the territory of Northern Africa are under threat - they are gradually destroyed by sandstorms. The human factor also matters - the inhabitants of the nearest settlements dismantle the ruins, using the stones for construction.
Jemila's architectural treasures
Photo: habib kaki. Source: wikipedia
Kikul was built on a plateau between streams, which explains the fertility of the local land in the past. The main street was only 400 metres long, paved with slabs of stone and decorated with porticoes on the sides. The centre of Djemila was the forum, from which the altar of marble, abundantly decorated with reliefs, has been preserved.
The period of prosperity of the ancient Roman city fell on III-IV centuries. A century before that, mansions with luxurious decoration began to be built here, which confirms the theory of historians about the high level of wealth of local residents. At the same time were built the Capitol, the building of the Curia, or Roman Council, the market of the brothers Cosinius and the temple of Venus the Progenitor - they are well preserved to our time.
One of the largest buildings in the settlement was a temple dedicated to the Roman emperor Septimius Severus and his wife, Julia Domna. This landmark was completed in 229, and was placed on an elevated hill to the south of the old forum. Under this imperial dynasty, the city got a new forum, a one-span triumphal arch of Emperor Caracalla - son of Septimius, an amphitheatre with amazing acoustics. Almost all of these structures can be seen today.
Later, the population in Jemele began to accept the Christian faith. This was reflected in the architecture of the city - a baptistery and a basilica were erected there. From the 4th to the 6th centuries, the ancient Kikul became the Christian centre of North Africa. Later, drought and the Arabs came here and sacked the settlement. From the seventh century, Jemila began to decline.
One of the main attractions of Algeria will captivate tourists with a variety of beautifully preserved buildings of different time periods. Found during the excavations of samples of art of the past travellers can also see in the Archaeological Museum of Jemila - in its halls exhibited parts of mosaics, household utensils, sculptures made of marble, lamps from houses and temples and not only.
The history of the former ancient Roman city was the subject of an essay by the French writer and philosopher Albert Camus. He was born and lived in Algeria, and in his work "The Wind in Jemila" he described the feelings he experienced when visiting the landmark. It is worth reading it to be transported back in time and see the beauty of the city through Camus' eyes.
