Tingartia

Tingartia (called even "Tingurtia") was a Roman settlement [1] in Romano-Berber north Africa. Its modern name is Tiaret (western Algeria).

Map showing Tingurtia in central Mauretania Caesariensis, south of Caesarea

Characteristics

Tingartia was originally a small castrum with a vicus annexed. Probably the inhabitants were initially less than 1,000, according to archeological evidences. There are traces of Roman occupation from the beginning of the third century (an inscription of 211 AD[2]), with a fort that growed until the Vandal invasion. There was also evidence of the presence of the Christian religion during the fifth century. The Jedars near Tingartia are proof that the province was inhabited in Late Antiquity by a tribe or tribes that could build in stone.[3]

In 533 AD, the Byzantines of Belisarius, who reclaimed the African province showed some control of the region, but they delegated authority to the local heads of Berber tribes. Tingartia in those centuries was a small frontier city of Berbers partially romanised.

History

Tiaret’s citadel stands on the site of Roman Tingartia, capital of western Algeria during the Byzantine period. Nearby on Mount Hadjar are the Djedar, groups of step pyramids on square foundations, probably monuments to Berber (Amazigh) princes of the 6th and 7th centuries. It was an Arab town of note in the 7th century, known as Tahart (“Lioness”). - Enclopedia Britannica

After the annexation of Mauretania (40 AD) the interior was still for a long time outside the direct Roman rule.[4]

At the beginning of third century under Emperor Septimius Severus, the "limes" or road-boundary was reorganized and was moved a little south of the coast. A military post was immediately built on the present site of "La Redoute" (near actual Tiaret), in the newly created "Via Praetentura" -a military road that connected Numerus Syrorum to Rapidum.

The oldest inscription collected: a dedication to the "Gods all Powerful" (Diis omnipotentibus) by Verus Procurator can indeed be dated 211 AD.

It was originally just a rectangular fort 80 m. long by 50 m. wide, flanked by bastions at the corners and doors. Sheltered from the fort quickly developed a civilian population center, also fortified with roughly the shape of a pentagon. It was already a major center in the fourth century, endowed with a main road and a public weight ("ponderarium") thanks to the munificence of an Edile named Victorinus.

Thanks to the healthy climate, a rich soil and its exceptional location, this town never ceased to grow beyond its ramparts and expanded widely to the southeast slopes of Jebel Guezoul. In Byzantine times, the vicus was not less than 400 m by 200 m wide (and there were even spas in the outside). In the eastern section, many graves, of imprecise age, were carved into the rock.

Some authors think it could be that Tingartia was the seat of a bishopric see in the fifth century. We do, however, have no precise archaeological evidence.

In 428 AD the Vandals invaded North Africa and for a century the country remained under their rule. But, although there it is no written record of what happened in the area during this period, we assume that was probably with ruins and destruction.

When Vandals arrived Christianity had naturally penetrated among the local civilian populations. Decorated stones of a Christian building undoubtedly dedicated to the cult were found in Tingartia, with the epitaph of a priest who died in 461 AD. Even the persecutions and religious struggles have been present: the epitaph of a Christian martyred (likely a Donatist) was created in the year 400 AD.

In 533 AD the Byzantines, under the command of Belisarius, drove the Vandals out of Africa and resumed Roman traditions. However it does not appear that they have actually occupied the area and it is at this point that the powerful Berber dynasties, more or less vassal, build up or increase their power in Tingartia.

It was at this time that the city reached its maximum extension: Tingartia become a fully fortified city of nearly 5,000 inhabitants.

However, the government of the Byzantines, did not bring peace. On the contrary, serious political and social unrest with violent religious persecution desolated the country. With the weakening of the central government, tribes audacity only added to the spirit of independence: there were many uprisings against Byzantine rule.

It was this non-cohesive country -whose governor was often in rebellion against the Emperor- who would suffer the shock of Muslim hordes. So when the famous conqueror Uqba ibn Nafi invaded the region, he was easily victorious.

In 683 AD -after having founded Kairouan- he marched on Tingartia which, according to historians, was the only place to offer any resistance. After a fierce battle he defeated the Byzantine army and the Berber princes (allied to Byzantines) who had gathered under the walls of the city. Tingartia was completely destroyed and disappeared, but nearby the Arabs created an Arab town called "Tahart", that later grew to actual Tiaret.

Notes

  1. ↑ Map of Roman Tingartia
  2. ↑ Pierre Cadenat, 1960. "Limes Mauretanie"
  3. ↑ Laffi, Umberto. "Colonie e municipi nello Stato romano". Introduction
  4. ↑ Theodore Mommsen. "Provinces of Roman Empire"; chapter: Africa

Bibliography

See also

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.