Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855Barth, Heinrich
History
Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855
Barth, Heinrich
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel
Upon this hill there was formerly a castle built of hewn stone. The
foundation-walls, which are still traceable, show that it faced the
east, the eastern and the western sides measuring each 57 ft. 8 in., the
northern and southern, not more than 54 ft. On the eastern side there
was a strong outwork protecting the gate, and measuring 16 ft. 11 in. on
the north and south sides, and 12 ft. 1 in. on the east side, where
there was a large gate 9 ft. 1 in. wide. This outwork juts off from the
castle at 17 ft. 6 in. from the south corner. It was evidently a Roman
castle; but after the dominion of the Romans and Byzantines had passed
away, the Berbers appear to have strengthened it by adding another
outwork on the west side, not, however, in the same grand style as the
Romans, but with small irregular stones, putting bastions to the
corners, and surrounding the whole castle with considerable outworks on
the slope of the hill.
[Illustration]
The Roman castle has been swept away; but the Roman sepulchre is still
preserved, with almost all its architectural finery, and is still
regarded by the surrounding tribes with a certain awe and reverence.[12]
It was most probably the sepulchre of a Roman commander of the castle in
the time of the Antonines; hence, in my opinion, the name Sufét, by
which the natives have distinguished it. It is certainly not a Punic
monument, though it is well known that the Punic language was generally
spoken in several towns of this region much later than the second
century after Christ. The style of its architecture testifies that it
belongs to the second century; but no inscription remains to tell its
story.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
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