Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)

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Illustration

Carole Raddato
by
published on 10 February 2023

The Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia were built outside the original city walls of Cuicul (modern Djémila in Algeria) in the early 3rd century CE. This Square of the Severan family (r. 193-235 CE), located at the heart of the newly extended city and comprising a forum, a temple and an arch, is one of Cuicul's most prominent landmarks. The Forum had an irregular quadrilateral shape of 3,200 sq.m, bordered by porticoes on its north and east sides.

The Temple of the Gens Septimia, reached by a grand staircase, stood on top of a podium and was fronted by rows of massive Corinthian columns. A fragmentary inscription reveals that the temple was dedicated by Alexander Severus in 229 CE to the Gens Septimia, the dynasty of Severans. The colossal heads of Roman emperor Septimius Severus (r. 193-211 CE) and his wife, Julia Domna (160-217 CE), found in the temple, can be seen outside the museum.

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About the Author

Carole Raddato
Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the world in the footsteps of emperor Hadrian.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Raddato, C. (2023, February 10). Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila). World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16991/severan-forum-and-temple-of-the-gens-septimia-cuic/

Chicago Style

Raddato, Carole. "Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 10, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16991/severan-forum-and-temple-of-the-gens-septimia-cuic/.

MLA Style

Raddato, Carole. "Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 10 Feb 2023. Web. 28 Mar 2023.

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