Althiburos

Tunisia
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/place/Althiburos
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Also known as: Abbah Quṣūr, Ebba Ksour
Modern:
Abbah Quṣūr
Also spelled:
Ebba Ksour
Key People:
Hadrian
Related Topics:
triumphal arch
Related Places:
Tunisia
Numidia

Althiburos, ancient city of Numidia in North Africa, on the road constructed by the Roman emperor Hadrian in 123 ce, between Carthage and Theveste (Tébessa) in what is now Tunisia and Algeria, respectively. The town, originally an indigenous settlement, obtained municipal rights from Hadrian.

Althiburos enjoyed considerable prosperity in the 2nd and 3rd centuries ce and was the seat of a bishop from about 400 to 700. Because the town was deserted for nearby Ebba Ksour, its most important buildings have survived. These include a well-preserved triumphal arch and the ancient forum with its surrounding buildings, including two temples, an arch erected in honour of Hadrian, and a theatre. Knowledge of the history of Althiburos is based on the reports of 18th-century tourists and some sporadic excavations.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Alicja Zelazko.