Tipasa (ancient world)
Tipasa is an ancient coastal city located in what is now Algeria, once part of Mauretania Caesariensis. Its history dates back to at least the sixth century BC, when it was a Phoenician or Carthaginian settlement, evidenced by its cemeteries. The city later benefited from its proximity to the Mauretanian capital of Iol (Caesarea) and gained significant status under Roman rule, becoming a colony and receiving Latin rights under Emperor Claudius around AD 46. Tipasa served as a military base during campaigns against local tribes and became an important center for early Christianity, housing a bishopric from the fourth century onward.
The city's archaeological remains are noteworthy for their scenic location and include a forum, amphitheater, theater, basilica, temples, and well-preserved private houses. Among its most significant structures is a large Christian cathedral, alongside a baptistery and the church of St. Salsa, which features a collection of sarcophagi. Additionally, underwater explorations have uncovered evidence of port facilities, highlighting Tipasa's historical importance as a hub of trade and cultural exchange in the ancient world.
Subject Terms
Tipasa (ancient world)
A coastal city of Mauretania Caesariensis (eastern Mauretania, now Algeria), adjoining a bay in which its port was protected by small islands
At least as early as the sixth century BC Tipasa was a Phoenician or Carthaginian town, or at least possessed close relations with Carthage, as its cemeteries show. Later it benefited from its proximity to the Mauretanian capital Iol (Caesarea). The town gained Latin rights (conferring Roman citizenship on its elected officials) or, alternatively, was made a Roman municipium (possessing full citizen rights) under Claudius (cAD 46), and became a Roman colony, with the name of Colonia Aelia Augusta, in the time of Antoninus Pius, during whose reign it served as a base for warfare against rebellious tribes in the mountainous interior (c 144–50); these operations were conducted by troops from the Danubian region, who constructed strong walls around the habitation center.
The seat of a bishopric from the fourth century onward, Tipasa became the scene of violent clashes between Catholics and Puritan fundamentalists of the Donatist persuasion; and it also played an important part in the control of dissident tribesmen in the hinterland. Its defences enabled it to hold out against the usurper Firmus (372–75)—supposedly through the exertions of a leading local Christian, St. Salsa—but the Vandals occupied the town in 429, installing an Arian bishop toward the end of the century.
The remains of Tipasa are noteworthy for their picturesque setting. Excavations, penetrating the silt brought down by floods and blown sand, have revealed a forum—extending across a rocky hillock that juts out over the sea—as well as an amphitheater, theater, nymphaeum (fountain-head of the city's water supply), pagan basilica (from which an important floor-mosaic is preserved in the local museum), temples, and spacious private houses, as well as several sectors of the fortifications. Particularly notable is a huge apsed Christian cathedral, with a nave flanked by three aisles on either side; a square baptistery with a circular pool and the bishop's house stand nearby. Outside the walls, to the east, is the church of St. Salsa, surrounded by a large array of sarcophagi that remain in place; and to the west stands the basilica of Bishop Alexander, near a burial-place of martyrs who died in the persecutions of Diocletian (284–305). Underwater diving has discovered port installations.