Location: village of Tazoult Map
7 miles (11 km) Southeast of Batna
17 miles (27 km) West of Timgad
Found: 123- 129 AD
Lambèse, officially Lambèse-Tazoult (Latin: Lambaesis), is a military town in Roman Africa located in the northeast of Algeria on the territory of the commune of Tazoult in the Aurès region, 10 km to the east of Batna, on the road to Timgad and Khenchela.
Lambaesis Archaeological Site is situated near a village of Tazoult, 7 miles (11 km) Southeast of Batna and17 miles (27 km) West of Timgad in Algeria. Lambaesis Archaeological Site is a city that grew around Roman military camp of third legion (Legio III Augusta) between 123 and 129 AD. In 128 newly established military camp was visited by Emperor Hadrian himself. Its perfect and orderly layout represents its purpose. Lambaesis was intended to inspire owe and respect of Rome. Civilian part of the city grew in size and in the 3rd century it became the capital of Numidia province during reign of Septimius Severus (reigned from 193 to 211). However after Third Legion was dissolved in 238 AD the city went into decline. The capital was transferred to a new city of Cirta.
As many other large provincial Roman towns Lambaesis had a large population of Christians despite frequent attempts of the Roman government to extinguish new religion. In fact it had its own bishop. Although one of the more famous bishops was a heretical bishop who was condemned by a local synod of bishops as it was mentioned by Saint Cyprian. Due to budget cuts and invasion of barbarians Roman Empire had to cut costs and abandoned its post in 392 AD. Soon the rest of the city gradually fell in disrepair with its residents fleeing elsewhere.
Lambaesis was besieged and sacked by the Berber tribes, but small population survived in a small provincial village during Byzantine period. In the 10th century it was captured by Arab troops that renamed ancient ruins to Bar- el- Molouk. It was abandoned shortly thereafter.
Low population in the region is the main reason why the former Roman town was not use for quarrying of stone like other places in the former empire. Much of the city kept its general appearance despite years of abandonment.
Praetorium of Lambaesis is one of the best preserved sites in the ancient city. It stands in the center of the city domineering over its ruins. This Latin term comes a word that indicated a general's tent in the Roman makeshift military camp or castra. Since Lambaesis was a significant military encampment for hundreds of miles in all directions from a city, its Praetorium was intended to offer maximum comfort for the legion's commander in the hostile environment in the Northern Saqqara desert. Additionally it kept documents and a treasury of the legion. Praetorium was constructed in 128 AD and apparently reconstructed by the civilian government in 267 AD after most of troops left the city. Praetorium stood on an open square that was reserved for parades, inspections and other important events in the lives of the military city. Additionally it was flanked by steam baths for the Roman soldiers. A paved road those stones you might see mark beginning of the road to another major Roman town of Timgad.
Three arched triumphal arch was constructed upon orders of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and inaugurated in 203AD during his visit to inspect military camp. Septimius Severus was born in Leptis Magna in the Northern Africa so he brought his whole family on that trip to visit his home town.
Amphitheatre of Lambaesis was constructed during reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121- 180 AD). Much of the original structure was demolished and used as a quarry by subsequent generations, however underground structures of the area are evident. It gives an idea about pulleys, elevators and other mechanisms that were used to impress spectators of bloody battles.
Excavations of the ancient city began in 1848, led by the colonel of the 2nd regiment of the Foreign Legion, Carbuccia.
Geographically, the remains are divided into three major sites.
To the west between the national road and the Tazoult penitentiary,
the ruins of a vast camp, of which the entire northern district and part
of the eastern district have been cleared. At the intersection of two
large roads oriented west-east and north-south, rises the imposing mass
of a rectangular building pierced with large semi-circular bays,
decorated with pilasters and Corinthian columns, of which only the roof.
The keys of the arcades are enhanced with sculptures; Victories, Eagles,
allegorical figures holding the horn and the peg, symbols of the Pax
Romana. Long called Praetorium, wrongly, it is the central building of
the principia, founded in 128 and restored in 267. It was crossed by the
via principalis. Behind extends a large paved courtyard flanked by
porticoes and symmetrical rooms which were weapons rooms; stone and
terracotta projectiles were found there. Further back, above the
courtyard, a basilica with three naves, into which a series of small
rooms opened. The middle one must have been the place where the legion's
treasure was kept. To the south-east of this monument, the thermal baths
whose rooms reserved for hot baths are very distinct; to the east, on
the road leading to Timgad, an arch built in the time of Commodus, and
further south a Roman amphitheater built under Marcus Aurelius, whose
basements are well preserved with the remains of the machinery of the
games.
At the eastern exit of the town of Tazoult, stands an arch
with three bays, built under Septimius Severus, which marked the
entrance to the ancient city. Under this arch passed the Septimania way
(?), a paved road which united the city with the legion camp and which
was probably inaugurated on the occasion of the visit made by the
African emperor, with his family, to Lambaesis in 203. Near this arch,
vast ruins, incompletely excavated, corresponding to Roman baths.
Going up to a plateau located further south, we arrive at the very
heart of the city, with three temples. The badly damaged temple of
Aesculapius is inspired by the model of the Asclepieium of Epidaurus in
Greece, dominated by the famous Doric temple of the healing god. Built
during the 2nd century BC. BC, it was a medical-religious establishment
used by Roman soldiers for thermal treatments and under the protection
of the god who could contribute to healing. The Capitol, a large temple
dedicated to the gods Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Finally, a third temple
of which we do not know to which divinity it was dedicated.