---
title: Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16991/severan-forum-and-temple-of-the-gens-septimia-cuic/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-02-10
---

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

_Authored by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/)_

## Image File

[![Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16991.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16991.jpg)

## Image Caption

The Severan Forum and [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of the Gens Septimia were built outside the original [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/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](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_Severus/) in 229 CE to the *Gens Septimia*, the dynasty of Severans. The colossal heads of [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/) (r. 193-211 CE) and his wife, [Julia Domna](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julia_Domna/) (160-217 CE), found in the temple, can be seen outside the museum.

## About the Author

Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/FollowingHadrian)
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/carolemadge)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2023, February 10). Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila). *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16991/severan-forum-and-temple-of-the-gens-septimia-cuic/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 10, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16991/severan-forum-and-temple-of-the-gens-septimia-cuic/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Severan Forum and Temple of the Gens Septimia, Cuicul (Djémila)." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 Feb 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16991/severan-forum-and-temple-of-the-gens-septimia-cuic/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/white-flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52664577074/)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52664577074/) by **[Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato")**. Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 10 February 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.

