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"Volubilis the great Roman city " a Volubilis Travel Page by amsterdam_vallon

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"Volubilis the great Roman city " a Volubilis Travel Page by amsterdam_vallon

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amsterdam_vallon    
Just return from South Africa!


Real Name: Sylvain
Lives In: Lethbridge, CA
Member Since: Jul 07, 2003
VT Rank: 1091

 

Page Views: 1,249            Last Visit to Volubilis: May, 2003      

Volubilis the great Roman city

by amsterdam_vallon - last update: Jan 13, 2004

History of Volubilis

Map of the Volubilis site
It sits at an altitude of 400 meters on a triangular rich plain bordered on both sides by two small rivers (Oued Fertassa and Oued Khomane). Arabs call Volubilis "Oualili," "Oualila".

Volubilis grew and prospered from the third century B.C. to B.C. 40, under the successive rule of independent Mooorish Kings (Bocchus the Elder, Bogud I, Bogud II. From this period several monuments have been uncovered and identified; namely, temples in the Mauretanean -punic tradition and a mysterious tumulus. After the assassination of King Ptolemy in B.C. 40 by Caligula and the crushing of a revolt by Ademon in ancient Mauretania, Emperor Claudius annexed the region, dividing it into two parts: one to the West with Tingi (Tangier) as its capital, the other to the East with Caesara (in Algeria) as capital. Volubilis was then elevated to the rank of a municipality.

From 40 to 285, Volubilis expanded spectacularly. During the first century came the major urban structures, such as the spacious roads (Decumani and Cardines), and the public monuments (temples, thermal baths). The next century saw further developments in the urban tissue; most importantly, the wall surrounding the city was founded by Marcus Aurelius (168-169), together with the eight major gates linking the city to the outside world. The monument-filled center (the Forum, the Basilica, the Capitol, the Triumphal Arch) came about during the Severius dynasty, between 193 and 235. Also dating back to this period are the stately homes with perislyles and pools, the great mosaics (Orpheus Mosaics, the Works of Hercules, Diana's Bath, Neriedes are some of the well-preserved, much visited in-situ mosaics), numerous bakeries, and about one hundred oil presses attesting to the thriving economy of this roman outpost.

Go watch my Volubilis Monuments travelogue for a detail view of all the monuments of the site. Follow this link : Volubilis Monument

And don't miss my Volubilis Mosaic Travelogue to see what art was about in the roman times. Follow this link : Volubilis Mosaic
Unesco

Unesco World Heritage

This site is under the autority of the Unesco World Heritage.

This is the mission of this organisation:

Protecting natural and cultural properties of outstanding
universal value against the threat of damage in a rapidly developing world.

Welcome to the World Heritage

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

In A Nutshell:"Not a lot of tourist...but a lot to see!!!"
amsterdam_vallon's Volubilis Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 1
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1

amsterdam_vallon's Volubilis Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Volubilis Monuments TravelogueMay, 2003 8
Volubilis Mosaics TravelogueMay, 2003 8

Comments for amsterdam_vallon about Volubilis
johnsakura Wed Mar 10, 2004 23:12 UTC
 thank you very much on your tip about the vollubilis ticket. tell me one thing, where did you buy the fake ticket? why did you buy it? was it on the street? thank you, joao
thelittlevoice Thu Sep 11, 2003 17:37 UTC
 nice pix and info.

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