The Importance of the City of Thibilis (currently Selawa Announa) and Its Civilizational Role During Ancient Times

Abstract

In addressing the topic of the importance of the city of Thibilis (currently Slawa Announa) and its civilizational role during ancient times, I first examined how this city came into being. I then discussed the various developments it underwent throughout the different ancient periods, starting with the Numidian–Punic phase, followed by the Roman and Byzantine periods. Most important is the civilizational role played by this city in various social, religious, and economic fields—especially the economic one—considering that it was an important hub through which various major and secondary roads passed, connecting to and from Cirta, the capital of the Numidian kingdom, and Carthage, the capital of the Carthaginian Empire in the early period. Its importance grew even more with the arrival of the Roman invaders, and it became a Roman town and colony with a significant position within the Cirtaian confederation.