The cities of the Roman Province of Africa supplied the Empire with two-thirds of their supply of wheat and olive oil. This trade enabled the provincial people to replicate and even enhance the lifestyle of cosmopolitan Rome. The most important archaeological ruins in Roman Africa lie in rural areas of Tunisia's North and Central Area:
Tuburbo Majus
In the center of a vast fertile region, Tuburbo Majus experienced an important urban development when becoming a Roman municipium. Tuburbo Majus was built in the second and third centuries, and is known for its palaestra, its capitol, its variety of temples, and its summer and winter baths. in nearby Zaghouan, the Nymphaeum is a basin built under Hadrian that collected the spring water from the region to be conducted to Carthage through the 132km length aqueduct with a daily rate of 32 million liters.
Bulla Regia
Bulla Regia is the only archeological site in the Roman world with underground villas featuring floor mosaics that are excellent both in terms of quality and preservation. It also features Temples to Jupiter, Minerva and Juno.
Chemtou and Haidra
Chemtou and Haidra's Aqueduct are sites which help the visitor understand how the ancient Roman cities were built and maintained. The 100 km aqueduct, portions of which still stand to their full height today, supplied fresh water from the Roman fountain on Mount Zaghouan to the cisterns of Roman Carthage.
From the Roman quarries at Chemtou came the pink and yellow marble which was used throughout the Roman world. The new Chemtou Museum explores not only the ancient marble trade but gives new insight into the Numidian-Berber civilization which played a key role in the struggles between Carthaginians and Romans.
Dougga
On the fertile valley of the Medjerda, Dougga, formely called Thugga is the most impressive Roman city in Tunisia. The well-preserved Theatre, grandiose Temple of Caelestis, theatres, and the many baths reflect the high standard of living of its 5,000 inhabitants.
Declared as UNESCO World Heritage, Dougga has a large capitol, a forum, and triumphal arches honoring Severus Alexander. Underfoot are mosaic floors and superbly paved city streets. In a strange silence, you will still sense the pulse of roman life during the second and third centuries. You can still see the grooves of chariot wheels in the streets and visit the public latrine, a cozy arrangement of twelve seats where people would chat as they went about their business.
El Djem
The third century spectacular Amphitheater of El Djem, build for 30,000 spectators, is only slightly smaller than that of Rome. You can climb up to the top tiers of seating and explore the long underground passages through which gladiators walked on their way to the arena and possible death.
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