EL JEM
The largest Roman city
Coliseum of EL DJEM, is an old city THYSDRUS, one of the richest colonies of the Roman IFRIQUIA. At the time of large César the city was a very important shopping centre, but it is only at the end of two centuries that THYSDRUS became a prosperous city, stimulant HADRUMEDUM to have the statute of the second most important city after Carthage.
The enormous elliptic mass, extends on 148 m from length, 122 m broad and has 427 m of perimeter, however Coliseum of EL DJEM is a little smaller than that of Rome, but remains like same third by its size in all the Mediterranean basin, these large stones are scattered in the surrounding of 30 km, they give us a precise idea on the impressive masonry and the art of the construction of the time.
No inscription can specify us with certainty, which could have built such a chief of work, it exists nevertheless some assumptions stipulating that was the proconsul of the IFRIQUIA, the GORDIAN emperor I, which would have achieved this miracle, founder of the languages, arts and sport - continuator of the plays. The simplicity of decoration offers a variety of sculptures to us and the rhythmic weight of the arcades gives to the building an austere and majestic air.
There exists inside the museum of EL DJEM a rich person collection of mosaic of the city itself and its entourage. While entering the course of Coliseum, of the single fragments of sculptures in their kind, your eyes will surprise, as well as the signs on the sarcophagi preserve until the our days will give you the desire for touching them.