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Cinithian

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cinithians were an ancient Berber tribe of Roman North Africa,[1] who occupied the area of modern Algeria.[2]

Several inscriptions bear testimony of their presence. Near the Roman town of Githis, in southern Tunisia, there is a second-century dedication to The Empire and Memmius Pacatus, who 'stood out among his people'. Here he is called a 'Cinithius'. He was believed to be a leader of the tribe and his family went on to achieve senatorial rank.

At the veteran colony of Sitifis there is another inscription that mentions the tribe of the Cinithians.[3]

They are also cited by Cornelius Tacitus as "...a nation by no means contemptible".[4]

References

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  1. ^ Jean Baptiste Louis Crevier, The History of the Roman Emperors: From Augustus to Constantine, Volume 10 (F. C. & J. Rivington, 1814 ) p220.
  2. ^ Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and History of Tacitus (Talboys, 1839)p75.
  3. ^ The Berbers, page 31.
  4. ^ Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and History of Tacitus (Talboys, 1839) p113.