Sabratha was an ancient port city on the coast of North Africa (in modern-day Libya). The site was originally inhabited by the indigenous Berber Zwagha tribe in the 8th century BCE (according to the 11th-century CE historian al-Bakari) who gave it their name. It became a Carthaginian colony c. 500 BCE, known as Tsabatan, and part of a tri-city trade network known to the Greeks as the Emporia. It was taken by the Numidians under the reign of their king Masinissa (c. 202-148 BCE) following Carthage's defeat in the Second Punic War (218-202 BCE) and was later claimed by Masinissa' grandson Jugurtha (r. 118-105 BCE) as part of his kingdom.
More about: SabrathaDefinition
Timeline
-
c. 700 BCEThe Berber Zwagha tribe inhabits the area of Sabratha.
-
c. 500 BCEThe area of Sabratha is colonized by the Carthaginians and named Tsabratan.
-
c. 148 BCETsabratan (Sabratha) taken by Numidian king Masinissa.
-
118 BCE - 105 BCESabratha is part of the Numidian Kingdom of Jugurtha.
-
105 BCESabratha taken by Rome after Jugurtha's defeat and execution.
-
48 BCE - 44 BCESabratha made part of the province of Africa Nova during the reign of Julius Caesar.
-
27 BCE - 14 CESabratha revitalized and expanded during the reign of Augustus Caesar.
-
138 CE - 161 CESabratha prospers and develops during the reign of Antoninus Pius.
-
158 CETrial of Lucius Apuleius at Sabratha on the charge of witchcraft.
-
161 CE - 180 CESabratha expands and is renovated during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
-
180 CE - 192 CEEmperor Commodus continues renovations and expansion at Sabratha.
-
363 CE - 365 CEThe Austuriani tribe make regular incursions into Sabratha, weakening the city.
-
365 CEThe 365 Crete Earthquake destroys the seaward side of Sabratha, topples buildings.
-
c. 500 CEByzantine Empire establishes churches at Sabratha, dismantles monuments to build walls.
-
643 CEInvading Arab armies find Sabratha mostly deserted and in ruins and so abandon it.
