Roman North African urbanism

J. Andrew Dufton, Elizabeth Fentress

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

This chapter presents the peculiarly “African” characteristics of Roman African cities, and focuses on a North African city form, its shape and components, including the public buildings and piazzas whose use united its occupants. North Africa was a largely urban society long before the Romans conquered Carthage in 146 bce. The chapter also focuses on the aspects of the North African city that are best understood from a regional perspective: the foundation of new Roman sites, urban growth, and civic promotion. The town plan may have included elements for future construction, like the theater, whose position cutting into the slope of a low hill appears to have been left vacant until its construction in 168 ce. The Roman economy was extremely visible in the town's potters, who produced African Red Slip Ware that was sold at regional markets.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationA Companion to North Africa in Antiquity
EditorsR. Bruce Hitchner
Place of PublicationMalden, MA
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Chapter11
Pages173-201
Number of pages29
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781119071754
ISBN (Print)9781119071631, 9781444350012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2022

Publication series

NameBlackwell Companions to the Ancient World

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • city foundation
  • civic promotion
  • regional markets
  • Roman African cities
  • Roman economy
  • town play
  • urban growth

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