Algeria

In Algeria two arches of Caracalla have been preserved quite well, while another is known today only through inscriptions, and a fourth seems to have been re-dedicated to Macrinus and Diadumenianus.

In Theveste (Tébessa) a quadrifrons (four-fronted) arch is still standing. In the Byzantine period it was used as gate in a city wall. A few reliefs have been preserved, on which Oceanus, Minerva and the personification of the city have been recognized. On top of the arch is an aedicula for one or more statues. There may have been more aediculae.

The present interior of the arch of Theveste.
Photo: Wikimedia, Habib kaki.

On three sides, on the attic, dedications have been preserved to the deified Septimius Severus, Julia Domna and Caracalla (EDCS-13000622-4). They can be dated to late 213 or 214 AD. The fourth inscription has disappeared.

The arch of Theveste.
Photo: Wikimedia, Habib kaki.

Two more inscriptions can be seen on the inside of the arch. The first of these records the will of Caius Cornelius Egrilianus. The Latin text is presented here with conservative additions (for example: the suggested addition of AVGG NN in line 4, including Geta, makes no sense in view of the date; why not aeneis?).

[ex testa]AMENTO C(ai) CORNELI EGRILIANI PRAEF(ecti) LEG(ionis) XIIII GEMINAE QVO TESTAMEN TO EX HS CCL MIL(ibus) N(ummum) ARCVM CVM STATVIS [--- it]EM TETRASTYLIS DVOBVS CVM STATVIS [--- e]T MINERVAE QVAE IN FORO FIERI PRAE [cepit pra]ETER ALIA HS CCL MIL(ia) N(ummum) QVAE REI P(ublicae) ITA VT [--- gy]MNASIA POPVLO PVBLICE IN THERMIS PRAE [berentur et a]D KAPITOL(ium) ARG(enti) LIB(ras) CLXX ID EST LANCES IIII [--- a]VRI LIB(ras) XIIII ID EST PHIAL(as) III SCYPHOS II [haec]E OMNIA SECVNDVM VOLVNTATEM EIVS IN CON [tione p(opuli)] CORNELI FORTVNATVS ET QVINTA FRATRES ET [--- a]DSIGNAVERVNT ET OPVS PERFECERVNT

Under the will of C. Cornelius Egrilianus, prefect of the Fourteenth Legion Gemina. By this will he commanded, for the sum of 250,000 sesterces, an arch with statues ... likewise with two aediculae with four columns with statues of ... and Minerva, to be installed on the Forum. And in addition 250,000 sesterces for the city, so that ... to the people, publicly, gymnastic displays in the baths would be given, and for the Capitolium 170 pounds of silver destined for four platters ... and 14 pounds of gold destined for three bowls and two cups. All this, according to his wishes, in a meeting of the people, the Cornelii Fortunatus and Quinta, brothers and ..., assigned and completed.

Inscription on the inside of the arch of Theveste. CIL VIII.1, 1858; HD009635; EDCS-13000625. Photo: EDH.

The second inscription specifies the dates of the gymnasia mentioned in the first one. The meaning of gymnasia, found in many other inscriptions, is difficult to establish. In certain contexts "gymnastic displays / contests" is problematic. It could also be a reference to distributions of oil and/or other supplies necessary for exercise (see Fagan 1999).

Inscription on the inside of the arch with the dates of the "gymnastic displays".
CIL VIII.1, 1859; EDCS-70700120. Image: CIL.

An arch in Cirta (Constantine) was torn down in 1845, but investigated a few years earlier.

The arch in Cirta in the years 1840-1842.
Images: Ravoisié 1846, Pls. 17 and 18.

Five inscriptions found nearby have been linked to the arch (CIL VIII.1, 7094-7098). They cannot be dated more accurately than 211-217 AD. The text is almost identical, but one had only four lines and the highest letters; this one may have been on the attic. A private peron, Marcus Caecilius Natalis, was responsible for the arch and statues. It has been suggested that he is the Caecilius Natalis, citizen of Cirta, who features in the dialogue Octavius written by the Christian author Minucius Felix (Jean-Marie Vermander suggests that the dialogue was written during Caracalla's sole reign and echoes it).

[M(arcus) Ca]ECILIVS Q(uinti) F(ilius) QVIRINA NATALIS AED(ilis) IIIVIR QVAES TOR Q(uin)Q(uennalis) PRAEF(ectus) COLONIARVM MILEVITANAE ET RVSICADENSIS ET CHVLLITANAE PRAETER HS LX(milia) N(ummum) QVAE OB HONOREM AEDILITATIS ET IIIVIR(atus) ET Q(uin)Q(uennalitatis) REI P(ublicae) INTVLIT ET STATVAM AEREAM SECVRI TATIS SAECVLI ET AEDICVLAM TETRASTYLAM CVM STATVA AEREA INDVLGENTIAE DO MINI NOSTRI QVAS IN HONORE AEDILI TATIS ET IIIVIRATVS POSVIT ET LVDOS SCAE NICOS DIEBVS SEPTEM QVOS CVM MISSI LIBVS PER IIII COLONIAS EDIDIT ARCVM TRI VMPHALEM CVM STATVA AEREA VIRTVTIS DOMINI N(ostri) ANTONINI AVG(usti) QVEM OB HONOREM QVINQVEN NALITATIS POLLICITVS EST EODEM ANNO SVA PECVNIA EXTRVXIT

Marcus Caecilius Natalis, son of Quintus, of the tribe Quirina, aedile, triumvir, quinquennial quaestor, prefect of the colonies of Mileve and Rusicade and Chullu. In addition to the 60,000 sesterces which for the honour of being made aedile and triumvir and quinquennalis he paid to the state, erected a bronze statue of Securitas Saeculi and a tetrastyle aedicula with a bronze statue of Indulgentia of our Lord, for the honour of being made aedile and triumvir. He also gave theatrical performances for seven days, with presents for the four colonies. He built a triumphal arch with a bronze statue of Virtus of our Lord Antoninus Augustus, which for the honour or being made quinquennalis he had promised, in the same year, at own cost.

One of the five inscriptions of the arch of Cirta. CIL VIII.1, 7095; EDCS-13002120. See also CIL VIII.1, 6996 = EDCS-13002026 from 210 AD.

A further arch has been preserved in Cuicul (Djemila). The inscription on the attic informs us that it was dedicated in 216 AD to Caracalla, Julia Domna and the deified Septimius Severus by the city: arcum triumphalem a solo decreto decurionum res publica fecit (CIL VIII.1, 8321 plus 20137; EDCS-23600019).

West side of the arch of Djemila.
Photo: Wikimedia, Habib kaki.

East side of the arch of Djemila.
Photo: Wikimedia, Habib kaki.

Finally, an arch has been preserved in Diana Veteranorum (Zana). The inscription of the attic informs us that it was dedicated in 217 AD to Macrinus and Diadumenianus. It was set up by the res publica Dianensium, ex decreto decurionum. After their death Macrinus and Diadumenianus were delcared enemies of the state. Their names were erased on this inscription. It has been argued that their names had been superimposed on the name of Caracalla.

The arch in Diana Veteranorum.
Photo: Wikimedia, Vikoula5.

Fragments of the inscription of the arch in Diana Veteranorum.
CIL VIII.1, 4598; EDCS-23100429. Photo: Wikimedia, Zinou2go.