Dougga

El Jem

Carthage

Sbeitla

Thuburbo Majus

Oudna

Bulla Regia

Utica

The Roman Empire viewed the mighty seafaring Phoenicians with fear and jealousy. In the third century BC, Carthage and Rome began jockeying each other for position and strength along the Mediterranean. A bitter rivalry led to a series of three wars known as the Punic wars. After the Roman army defeated Carthage and destroyed it during the Third Punic war in 146 BC, the territory of Carthage became the Roman province of Africa. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar re-establish Carthage as a Roman city, which then became the capital of the expanded colony of Africa Proconsularis.

The expanding Roman empire soon recognized the territory's potential as an agricultural resource. By the 1st century AD, the wheat-growing plains of the Medjerda Valley and the Tell Plateau were supplying more than 60% of the grain needed by the Empire. Many of the major Roman sites now excavated lie in these fertile areas. In addition, many of the wild animals used in Rome's amphitheaters were supplied by the territory. Many of the mosaics now housed in the Bardo Museum and still in situ in sites such as Oudna are filled with these wild animals including lions, bears, warthogs, and cougars. Tunisia also supplied the Roman empire with gold, olive oil, slaves, pottery, marble, ivory, ostrich plumes, and garum (a fish-paste delicacy).

During the Roman occupation, many coastal cities were built. This helped spread urbanization and Roman traditions. Some Berber communities also prospered during this time, with a number of Berber individuals who were granted Roman citizenship. The excavated homes and public buildings of some of these citizens indicate their level of wealth.

At the end of the 2nd century AD, Christianity spread to Tunisia. Initially, many of the converts were Berbers who perceived the new religion as a way to rebel against the Roman authority. Persecution, including the death of thousands in the amphitheaters of Carthage, El Jem, and other Tunisian cities occurred, especially during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. A declining Roman empire in the beginning of the 5th century AD made way for the Vandals to take over, with the Byzantine Empire assuming power in 533 AD.

Roman provinces in Tunisia

Courtesy Vanderbilt University