Numidia was a Roman province on the North African coast, comprising roughly the territory of northeastern Algeria.
History
The people of the area were first identified as Numidians by Polybius around the 2nd century BC, although they were often referred to as the Nodidians.
Eastern Numidia was annexed in 46 BC to create a new Roman province, Africa Nova. Western Numidia was also annexed as part of the province Africa Nova after the death of its last king, Arabio, in 40 BC, and subsequently the province (except of Western Numidia) was united with province Africa Vetus by Emperor Augustus in 25 BC, to create the new province Africa Proconsularis. During the brief period (30–25 BC) Juba II (son of Juba I) ruled as a client king of Numidia on the territory of former province Africa Nova. In AD 40, the western portion of Africa Proconsularis, including its legionary garrison, was placed under an imperial legatus, and in effect became a separate province of Numidia, though the legatus of Numidia remained nominally subordinate to the proconsul of Africa until AD 203.
Christianity spread there from the 2nd century onwards. During the second century, the province was Christianized, but in the fourth century, it adhered to the Donatist heresy, despite giving rise to men of Orthodox faith as illustrious as Saint Augustine, bishop of Hippo Regius (present Annaba).
After 193, under Septimius Severus, Numidia was officially detached from the province of Africa and constituted a province in its own right, governed by an imperial legatus pro praetore. Under Diocletian, it constituted a simple province in the tetrarchic reorganization, then was divided in two: Numidia Cirtensis, with capital at Cirta, and Numidia Militiana ("Military Numidia"), with capital at the legionary base of Lambaesis. However, after decades, Emperor Constantine the Great reunited the two provinces in a single one, administered from Cirta, which was now renamed Constantina (modern Constantine).
In 428, the Vandals began their incursions in the African provinces. They eventually managed to create the Vandal Kingdom that lasted between 432 and 534, the year in which the Vandals fell and the African provinces was reincorporated into (Eastern) Roman domain and formed the Praetorian prefecture of Africa, half a century later the Exarchate of Africa, by the reign of Maurice (r. 582–602).
Between 696 and 708, the region was conquered again, this time by the Arab Muslims (Umayyad), and became part of Ifriqiya.
Major cities
Numidia as the other African provinces became highly Romanized and was studded with numerous towns. The chief towns of Roman Numidia were: in the north, Cirta or modern Constantine, the capital, with its port Russicada (Modern Skikda); and Hippo Regius (near Bône), well known as the see of St. Augustine. To the south in the interior military roads led to Theveste (Tebessa) and Lambaesis (Lambessa) with extensive Roman remains, connected by military roads with Cirta and Hippo, respectively.
Lambaesis was the seat of the Legio III Augusta, and the most important strategic centre. It commanded the passes of the Aurès Mountains (Mons Aurasius), a mountain block that separated Numidia from the Gaetuli Berber tribes of the desert, and which was gradually occupied in its whole extent by the Romans under the Empire. Including these towns, there were altogether twenty that are known to have received at one time or another the title and status of Roman colonies; and in the 5th century, the Notitia Dignitatum enumerates no fewer than 123 sees whose bishops assembled at Carthage in 479.
Episcopal sees
Ancient episcopal sees of Numidia listed in the Annuario Pontificio as titular sees:
- Alba (in the region of Qarentina)
- Aquae (Henchir-El-Hammam)
- Aquae Novae
- (Hammam-Meskhoutine)
- Arae
- (Goulia)
- Augurus (ruins of Sidi-Tahar and Sidi-Embarec?)
- (Ascours?)
- Azura
- Babra (ruins in the territory of Babar)
- ()
- Bagai (Ksar-Bagaï)
- Baia (Henchir Settara? Henchir-El-Hammam?)
- Barica
- Belesasa
- Bocconia
- Caesarea (Youks-les-Bains, Henchir-El-Hammam)
- Caesariana (ruins of Kessaria)
- Calama
- (Aïn-Guigba)
- (El Madher)
- Casae Calanae
- (Henchir-El-Taouil?)
- Casae Nigrae (near Negrine)
- (Henchir-Gastal)
- Castra Galbae (Ksar-Galaba?)
- (near Annaba)
- Cediae (Oum-Kif)
- Celerina (Guebeur-Bou-Aoun)
- Centenaria (Henchir-El-Harmel? Henchir-Cheddi?)
- Centuria (ruins of Aïn-Hadjar-Allah? Fedj-Deriasse?)
- Centuriones (ruins of El-Kentour)
- (Gueramoussa?)
- Chullu (Collo)
- (Ain Tine)
- Cuicul (Djémila)
- Diana (Aïn Zana)
- Fata
- Forma (ruins of Kherbet-Fraim?)
- Fussala
- Gadiaufala (Ksar Sbehi)
- Garba (ruins of Aïn-Garb)
- (Henchir-Gouraï?)
- Gemellae
- Germania (ruins of Ksar-El-Kelb?)
- Gibba (Henchir-Dibba)
- Gilba
- Giru Marcelli
- Girus (in the region of Djemila?)
- Girus Tarasii
- (ruins at Henchir-Zerdan?)
- Hospita
- (has namesakes) (near Merkeb-Talha)
- (Aïn-Aziz-Bin-Tellis)
- Iucundiana
- Lambaesis (in the territory of Batna)
- (Kherbet-Ouled-Arif)
- Lamiggiga (Seriana)
- Lamphua (Aïn-Foua)
- Lamsorti (Henchir-Mâfouna)
- Lamzella (Henchir-Resdis)
- Leges (in the territory of Mila or Annaba)
- Legia
- Legis Volumni
- Liberalia (oasis of Lioua?)
- Limata (in the territory of Mila)
- Lugura (Aïn-Laoura?)
- Macomades (Merkeb-Talha)
- (Canrobert, Oum-El-Bouaghi?)
- Madaurus
- Mades
- (Aïn-Moughmel?)
- Mascula (Khenchela)
- Mathara
- Maximiana (ruins of Mexmeia?)
- Mazaca
- Merouana (Lamasba)
- Mesarfelta
- Meta
- Midila (Mdila?)
- Milevum
- (near Mdila)
- Mulia (ruins of El-Milia?)
- Municipa
- Musti
- Mutugenna (ruins of Aïn-Tebla?)
- Naratcata
- Nasai (Aïn Zoul?)
- Nebbi (in the territory of Tobma)
- Nicives (N'Gaous)
- Nigizubi
- (Besseriani)
- Nova Barbara (ruins of Beni-Barbar?, Henchir-Barbar?)
- Nova Caesaris
- Nova Germania (near Khamissa)
- Nova Petra (ruins of Encedda?)
- Nova Sinna
- Nova Soarsa
- Octava
- Pauzera
- Pudentiana
- Regiana (Henchir-Tacoucht?)
- Ressiana (in the territory of Mila)
- Rotaria (Henchir-Loulou, Renier?)
- Rusicade (Skikda)
- Rusticiana
- Seleuciana
- Sigus
- Sila (Bordj-El-Ksar)
- Silli
- Sinitis (near Annaba)
- Sistroniana
- Sitifis (Setif)
- Suava
- Summa (ruins of Zemma?)
- Tabuda (Thouda)
- Tacarata (in the territory of Mila or in that of Annaba)
- Tarasa (Henchir-Tarsa?)
- Teglata
- Thagaste
- Thagora
- Thamugadi
- Theveste
- Thiava (near Annaba or Souk-Ahras)
- Thibaris
- Thibilis (Announa)
- Thinisa
- (?Tubunae)
- Thubursicum (Khemissa)
- Thucca in Numidia (Henchir-El-Abiodh)
- Tiddi
- Tigillava (Mechta-Djillaoua)
- Tigisis ()
- Tipasa
- Tisedi (near Aziz-Ben-Tellis)
- (ruins of Aïn-Nemeur? ruins of Aïn-Merdja?)
- Tullia (near Annaba)
- Turres (in the territory of Annaba)
- Turres Ammeniae
- Turres Concordiae
- (Tiklat)
- Ubaza (Terrebaza)
- Vaga (modern day Béja)
- Vadesi
- Vagada (ruins of El-Aria?)
- Vageata
- Vagrauta
- Vegesela (ruins of Ksar-Bou-Saïd? of Ksar-El-Kelb? Henchir-El-Abiodh?)
- Velefi (ruins of Fedj-Es-Soyoud?)
- Verrona (Henchir-El-Hatba)
- Vescera (Biskra)
- Vicus Pacati (Aïn-Mechara?)
- Villa Regis (near Tobna)
- Zaba (ruins of Tolga in the territory of Zab?)
- Zaraï
- Zattara (Bouchegouf District)
- Zerta (near Merkeb-Talha)
References
- "Numidia: The story of a Kingdom". Cambridge Alert. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- J. D. Fage; Roland Anthony Oliver (1975). The Cambridge History of Africa. Cambridge University Press. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-521-21592-3.
- E. Wilhit, David (2017). Ancient African Christianity: An Introduction to a Unique Context and Tradition. Taylor & Francis. p. 344-345. ISBN 9781135121426.
- (in French) Article « Ifriqiya » (Larousse.fr).
- Detailed map of Roman Numidia
- Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), "Sedi titolari", pp. 819–1013
Bibliography
- Stefan Ardeleanu, Numidia Romana? Die Auswirkungen der römischen Präsenz in Numidien (2. Jh. v. Chr.–1. Jh. n. Chr.) [Numidia Romana? The impact of the Roman presence in Numidia (2nd century BC-1st century AD)], Reichert, Wiesbaden 2021, ISBN 978-3-95490-509-6.
- Nacéra Benseddik, « Jugurtha-Cirta-Lambèse-Timgad » in Dictionnaire du Monde antique, PUF, Paris 2005.
- Yann Le Bohec, L’Afrique romaine (146 avant J.-C. - 439 après J.-C.), éd. Picard, 2005 (Paris), ISBN 2-7084-0751-1
- Filippo Coarelli and Yvon Thébert, "Architecture funéraire et pouvoir : réflexions sur l'hellénisme numide", Mélanges de l'École française de Rome: Antiquité, Année 1988, 2, p. 761-818 [1]
- François Décret and Mhamed Fantar, L’Afrique du Nord dans l’Antiquité. Histoire et civilisation - des Origines au Ve siècle, Paris, 1981.
- "Propriétés impériales et cités en Numidie Méridionale". Cahiers du Centre Gustave Glotz (3): 123–139. 1992..
36 00 N 6 30 E 36 N 6 5 E 36 6 5 Map of Roman Numidia according to Mommsen Numidia was a Roman province on the North African coast comprising roughly the territory of northeastern Algeria HistoryThe people of the area were first identified as Numidians by Polybius around the 2nd century BC although they were often referred to as the Nodidians Roman marble bust of Juba I from Cherchell Algeria Louvre Museum Eastern Numidia was annexed in 46 BC to create a new Roman province Africa Nova Western Numidia was also annexed as part of the province Africa Nova after the death of its last king Arabio in 40 BC and subsequently the province except of Western Numidia was united with province Africa Vetus by Emperor Augustus in 25 BC to create the new province Africa Proconsularis During the brief period 30 25 BC Juba II son of Juba I ruled as a client king of Numidia on the territory of former province Africa Nova In AD 40 the western portion of Africa Proconsularis including its legionary garrison was placed under an imperial legatus and in effect became a separate province of Numidia though the legatus of Numidia remained nominally subordinate to the proconsul of Africa until AD 203 Christianity spread there from the 2nd century onwards During the second century the province was Christianized but in the fourth century it adhered to the Donatist heresy despite giving rise to men of Orthodox faith as illustrious as Saint Augustine bishop of Hippo Regius present Annaba After 193 under Septimius Severus Numidia was officially detached from the province of Africa and constituted a province in its own right governed by an imperial legatus pro praetore Under Diocletian it constituted a simple province in the tetrarchic reorganization then was divided in two Numidia Cirtensis with capital at Cirta and Numidia Militiana Military Numidia with capital at the legionary base of Lambaesis However after decades Emperor Constantine the Great reunited the two provinces in a single one administered from Cirta which was now renamed Constantina modern Constantine In 428 the Vandals began their incursions in the African provinces They eventually managed to create the Vandal Kingdom that lasted between 432 and 534 the year in which the Vandals fell and the African provinces was reincorporated into Eastern Roman domain and formed the Praetorian prefecture of Africa half a century later the Exarchate of Africa by the reign of Maurice r 582 602 Between 696 and 708 the region was conquered again this time by the Arab Muslims Umayyad and became part of Ifriqiya Major citiesRuins of the Roman city of Hippo RegiusThe Arch of Caracalla in Theveste built c 210 AD by a general from the city dedicated to Emperor CaracallaThe camp of the Legio III Augusta in Lambaesis was established between 123 129 AD in the time of Emperor HadrianRoman theatre in CalamaRoman aqueduct in NumidiaMosaic at LambaesisMosaic of vineyard workers from Caesarea Numidia as the other African provinces became highly Romanized and was studded with numerous towns The chief towns of Roman Numidia were in the north Cirta or modern Constantine the capital with its port Russicada Modern Skikda and Hippo Regius near Bone well known as the see of St Augustine To the south in the interior military roads led to Theveste Tebessa and Lambaesis Lambessa with extensive Roman remains connected by military roads with Cirta and Hippo respectively Lambaesis was the seat of the Legio III Augusta and the most important strategic centre It commanded the passes of the Aures Mountains Mons Aurasius a mountain block that separated Numidia from the Gaetuli Berber tribes of the desert and which was gradually occupied in its whole extent by the Romans under the Empire Including these towns there were altogether twenty that are known to have received at one time or another the title and status of Roman colonies and in the 5th century the Notitia Dignitatum enumerates no fewer than 123 sees whose bishops assembled at Carthage in 479 Episcopal seesSaint Augustine was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia Ancient episcopal sees of Numidia listed in the Annuario Pontificio as titular sees Alba in the region of Qarentina Aquae Henchir El Hammam Aquae Novae Hammam Meskhoutine Arae Goulia Augurus ruins of Sidi Tahar and Sidi Embarec Ascours Azura Babra ruins in the territory of Babar Bagai Ksar Bagai Baia Henchir Settara Henchir El Hammam Barica Belesasa Bocconia Caesarea Youks les Bains Henchir El Hammam Caesariana ruins of Kessaria Calama Ain Guigba El Madher Casae Calanae Henchir El Taouil Casae Nigrae near Negrine Henchir Gastal Castra Galbae Ksar Galaba near Annaba Cediae Oum Kif Celerina Guebeur Bou Aoun Centenaria Henchir El Harmel Henchir Cheddi Centuria ruins of Ain Hadjar Allah Fedj Deriasse Centuriones ruins of El Kentour Gueramoussa Chullu Collo Ain Tine Cuicul Djemila Diana Ain Zana Fata Forma ruins of Kherbet Fraim Fussala Gadiaufala Ksar Sbehi Garba ruins of Ain Garb Henchir Gourai Gemellae Germania ruins of Ksar El Kelb Gibba Henchir Dibba Gilba Giru Marcelli Girus in the region of Djemila Girus Tarasii ruins at Henchir Zerdan Hospita has namesakes near Merkeb Talha Ain Aziz Bin Tellis Iucundiana Lambaesis in the territory of Batna Kherbet Ouled Arif Lamiggiga Seriana Lamphua Ain Foua Lamsorti Henchir Mafouna Lamzella Henchir Resdis Leges in the territory of Mila or Annaba Legia Legis Volumni Liberalia oasis of Lioua Limata in the territory of Mila Lugura Ain Laoura Macomades Merkeb Talha Canrobert Oum El Bouaghi Madaurus Mades Ain Moughmel Mascula Khenchela Mathara Maximiana ruins of Mexmeia Mazaca Merouana Lamasba Mesarfelta Meta Midila Mdila Milevum near Mdila Mulia ruins of El Milia Municipa Musti Mutugenna ruins of Ain Tebla Naratcata Nasai Ain Zoul Nebbi in the territory of Tobma Nicives N Gaous Nigizubi Besseriani Nova Barbara ruins of Beni Barbar Henchir Barbar Nova Caesaris Nova Germania near Khamissa Nova Petra ruins of Encedda Nova Sinna Nova Soarsa Octava Pauzera Pudentiana Regiana Henchir Tacoucht Ressiana in the territory of Mila Rotaria Henchir Loulou Renier Rusicade Skikda Rusticiana Seleuciana Sigus Sila Bordj El Ksar Silli Sinitis near Annaba Sistroniana Sitifis Setif Suava Summa ruins of Zemma Tabuda Thouda Tacarata in the territory of Mila or in that of Annaba Tarasa Henchir Tarsa Teglata Thagaste Thagora Thamugadi Theveste Thiava near Annaba or Souk Ahras Thibaris Thibilis Announa Thinisa Tubunae Thubursicum Khemissa Thucca in Numidia Henchir El Abiodh Tiddi Tigillava Mechta Djillaoua Tigisis Tipasa Tisedi near Aziz Ben Tellis ruins of Ain Nemeur ruins of Ain Merdja Tullia near Annaba Turres in the territory of Annaba Turres Ammeniae Turres Concordiae Tiklat Ubaza Terrebaza Vaga modern day Beja Vadesi Vagada ruins of El Aria Vageata Vagrauta Vegesela ruins of Ksar Bou Said of Ksar El Kelb Henchir El Abiodh Velefi ruins of Fedj Es Soyoud Verrona Henchir El Hatba Vescera Biskra Vicus Pacati Ain Mechara Villa Regis near Tobna Zaba ruins of Tolga in the territory of Zab Zarai Zattara Bouchegouf District Zerta near Merkeb Talha References Numidia The story of a Kingdom Cambridge Alert Retrieved 2019 07 07 J D Fage Roland Anthony Oliver 1975 The Cambridge History of Africa Cambridge University Press p 199 ISBN 978 0 521 21592 3 E Wilhit David 2017 Ancient African Christianity An Introduction to a Unique Context and Tradition Taylor amp Francis p 344 345 ISBN 9781135121426 in French Article Ifriqiya Larousse fr Detailed map of Roman Numidia Annuario Pontificio 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ISBN 978 88 209 9070 1 Sedi titolari pp 819 1013BibliographyStefan Ardeleanu Numidia Romana Die Auswirkungen der romischen Prasenz in Numidien 2 Jh v Chr 1 Jh n Chr Numidia Romana The impact of the Roman presence in Numidia 2nd century BC 1st century AD Reichert Wiesbaden 2021 ISBN 978 3 95490 509 6 Nacera Benseddik Jugurtha Cirta Lambese Timgad in Dictionnaire du Monde antique PUF Paris 2005 Yann Le Bohec L Afrique romaine 146 avant J C 439 apres J C ed Picard 2005 Paris ISBN 2 7084 0751 1 Filippo Coarelli and Yvon Thebert Architecture funeraire et pouvoir reflexions sur l hellenisme numide Melanges de l Ecole francaise de Rome Antiquite Annee 1988 2 p 761 818 1 Francois Decret and Mhamed Fantar L Afrique du Nord dans l Antiquite Histoire et civilisation des Origines au Ve siecle Paris 1981 Proprietes imperiales et cites en Numidie Meridionale Cahiers du Centre Gustave Glotz 3 123 139 1992
