Carthage amphitheatre
Archaeological Site of Carthage | |
---|---|
Criteria | Cultural: (ii)(iii)(vi) |
Reference | 37-001 |
Inscription | 1979 (3rd Session) |
Coordinates | 36°51′22″N 10°18′54.3″E / 36.85611°N 10.315083°E |
The Carthage Amphitheatre was a
Predation plaguing the archaeological site only exists within the arena itself. The building earned the admiration of travelers, especially during the Middle Ages.
History
The amphitheatre of Carthage was built at the end of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd century, to the west of the hill of Byrsa. An inscription date certifies that it was in service from 133–139 C.E.[1] It expanded during the 3rd century.
Al-Bakri gives an account of the amphitheatre in the 11th century, where he describes the monument as "[the] most wonderful Carthage: This building is composed of a circle of arches supported by columns and topped by other things similar to the forefront arcades. On the walls of this building, we see pictures representing animals [...] can be distinguished figures that symbolize the winds: the East looks smiling, and the West has a frowning face".[2]
The height of the arches was the admiration of visitors during the Middle Ages including
Since the monument has been raided by looters, the stone and metal have been levelled to the ground. Thus, only the arena remained open at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, in the middle of a grove of pine trees. The wall has been restored as well.
In 1887, a cross was erected in the center in memory of the
Architectural features
The amphitheatre offers an arena 64.66 metres (212.1 ft) on[
This is one of three African amphitheatres to have been built atop flat ground rather than on a hill, the others being El Jem and Thapsus.
See also
References
- ^ Ammar Mahjoubi, cities and urban structures of the Roman province of Africa, ed. Centre for University publication, Tunis, 2000, pp. 170-171
- ISBN 2070532127), chap. 2 ("A memory perpetuated ... Remains scattered"), p. 38-40
- ^ Colette Picard, Carthage , ed. Les Belles Lettres, Paris, 1951, p. 68
- ^ Colette Picard, op. cit., p. 69