Sbeitla Things to Do Tips by JLBG

The Arch of Triumph to the Tetrarchy

The Arch of Triumph to the Tetrarchy was built in honor of the four Emperors (the Tetrarchate) who jointly ruled the Empire around 300 AD, just prior to the reign of Constantine the Great. The Arch is an imposing mass, with baldaquins supported by columns and the decor is quite sumptuous.

Olive mill

This picture shows in the background the forum and the three temples and in the foreground a press for olive oil. There remains only the still part. The millstone is gone. This kind of olive mills are still used in Tunisia, usually a camel is used to operate the grinding. On the left a 3 stones structure on which I have no information. I should pay another visit to Sbeitla next September and will look for its meaning.

The Temple of Jupiter, an acanthus capital

This close-up on the capital of a column allows to see that it is adorned with acanthus leaves. The use of acanthus leaves is very frequent in the capitals of Roman temples. Acanthus is a plant with beautiful leaves that grow wild as a weed in all that area.

Temple of Jupiter, the frieze

The capitals of the columns of the Temple of Jupiter sustain a frieze carved with several lines of stylized leaves. They are in good condition as there are to high to have been hammered or submitted to any kind of aggression along the centuries!

The Temple to Jupiter

The Temple to Jupiter, in the center of the picture is the best preserved of all three. It has kept its triangular pediment while the two others have lost it completely or partially. The summits of the columns are delicately carved as can be seen on the following close-up.

The Antonine Gateway

The Antonine Gateway was part of the ancient city walls. It has 3 archways that were closed by wooden doors. It gives access to the Forum of Sbeitla. An inscription carved in its basement refers to Emperor Antonius Pious and his two adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius, the future Emperor and philosopher, and Licius Verus, allows to date its building to 138-161 AD.

The Forum

The Forum of Sbeitla is an almost square, wide esplanade, paved with stone slabs. Its size is a testimony of the importance of the city and of its wealth. It was surrounded by a portico of which remain only the columns. In the background the 3 temples dedicated respectively to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, the 3 main Roman gods.