Iulia Valentia Banasa
Encyclopedia
Colonia Iulia Valentia Banasa was one of the three colonias
in Mauretania Tingitana
(in northern Morocco
) founded by emperor Augustus
between 33 and 25 BC. for veterans of the battle of Actium
. It was located on the southern bank of the Sebou River
on the site now known as Sidi Ali Boujenoun. At the start of the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Banasa became Colonia Aurelia. In 285 AD the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana
was reduced to the territories located north of the Lixus
. Banasa was then abandoned
Among the ruins of Banasa we find the characteristic elements of a Roman city: a forum
with a basilica
, a capitol and baths, as well as streets in a regular pattern. Many of the buildings date from the early third century AD.
The Latin name Valentia means young, strong and may be compared to Valence
(France) and Valencia (Spain), also colonies. Augustus founded at least twelve Roman colonies in Mauretania, although it was a client-kingdom and not yet a province of the empire. Some of the other major companion Roman cities to Iulia Valentia Banasa of this early era are Chellah
and Volubilis
, the latter of which shares the features of basilica and regular street pattern.
Objects recovered at Banasa may be seen at the Rabat Archaeological Museum
.
Colonia (Roman)
A Roman colonia was originally a Roman outpost established in conquered territory to secure it. Eventually, however, the term came to denote the highest status of Roman city.-History:...
in Mauretania Tingitana
Mauretania Tingitana
Mauretania Tingitana was a Roman province located in northwestern Africa, coinciding roughly with the northern part of present-day Morocco. The province extended from the northern peninsula, opposite Gibraltar, to Chellah and Volubilis to the south, and as far east as the Oued Laou river. Its...
(in northern Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
) founded by emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
between 33 and 25 BC. for veterans of the battle of Actium
Battle of Actium
The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman...
. It was located on the southern bank of the Sebou River
Sebou River
Sebou is a river in northern Morocco. The river is 458 kilometres long and has an average water flow of 137 m3/s, which makes it the largest North African river by volume. The source is in the Middle Atlas mountains. It passes near the city of Fes and discharges to the Atlantic Ocean in Mehdia...
on the site now known as Sidi Ali Boujenoun. At the start of the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Banasa became Colonia Aurelia. In 285 AD the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana
Mauretania Tingitana
Mauretania Tingitana was a Roman province located in northwestern Africa, coinciding roughly with the northern part of present-day Morocco. The province extended from the northern peninsula, opposite Gibraltar, to Chellah and Volubilis to the south, and as far east as the Oued Laou river. Its...
was reduced to the territories located north of the Lixus
Lixus
Lixus refers to the following things:* lixus, the Latin word for "boiled"* Lixus in Morocco* Lixus , a genus of true weevils...
. Banasa was then abandoned
Forum (Roman)
A forum was a public square in a Roman municipium, or any civitas, reserved primarily for the vending of goods; i.e., a marketplace, along with the buildings used for shops and the stoas used for open stalls...
with a basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
, a capitol and baths, as well as streets in a regular pattern. Many of the buildings date from the early third century AD.
The Latin name Valentia means young, strong and may be compared to Valence
Valence, Drôme
Valence is a commune in southeastern France, the capital of the Drôme department, situated on the left bank of the Rhône, south of Lyon on the railway to Marseilles.Its inhabitants are called Valentinois...
(France) and Valencia (Spain), also colonies. Augustus founded at least twelve Roman colonies in Mauretania, although it was a client-kingdom and not yet a province of the empire. Some of the other major companion Roman cities to Iulia Valentia Banasa of this early era are Chellah
Chellah
Chellah, or Sala Colonia is a necropolis and complex of ancient Roman Mauretania Tingitana and medieval ruins at Rabat, Morocco. It is the most ancient human settlement on the mouth of the Bou Regreg River.-History:...
and Volubilis
Volubilis
Volubilis is an archaeological site in Morocco situated near Meknes between Fez and Rabat along the N13 road. The nearest town is Moulay Idriss. Volubilis features the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of northern Africa...
, the latter of which shares the features of basilica and regular street pattern.
Objects recovered at Banasa may be seen at the Rabat Archaeological Museum
Rabat Archaeological Museum
Rabat Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Rabat, Morocco. Opened in 1932, it contains the most extensive collection of archaeological artifacts found in Morocco...
.
External links
- Diplomatie France http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/archaeology_2200/archaeology-notebooks_2202/europe-maghreb_2210/morocco-banasa_6428/index.html
- Catalogue des Mosaïques de Banasa http://archeo.ens.fr/8546Len/Banasa/Banasa_Mosaiques.html
- Tabula Banasitana http://la.wikisource.org/wiki/Tabula_Banasitana