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Zama (Tunisia)

Coordinates: 36°06′43″N 9°17′08″E / 36.1120°N 9.2856°E / 36.1120; 9.2856
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Zama
Second Punic War battle sites
Zama (Tunisia) is located in Tunisia
Zama (Tunisia)
Shown within Tunisia
LocationTunisia
RegionSiliana Governorate
Coordinates36°06′43″N 9°17′08″E / 36.1120°N 9.2856°E / 36.1120; 9.2856

Zama, also known as Xama, is in what is now Tunisia and is best known for its connection with what is called the Battle of Zama in which on 19 October 202 BC, Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal, which ended the Second Punic War with victory for the Roman Republic and broke the power of Ancient Carthage.

Zama Regia in Siliana, Tunisia

Siliana, located in the northwest of Tunisia, is a region known for its vast agricultural lands, similar to other neighboring governorates like Béja, Jendouba, and Le Kef. The area is distinguished by its breathtaking natural beauty, composed of plains, mountains, forests, pristine water springs, waterfalls, and natural reserves hosting rare animal species. It is also rich in historical landmarks, representing various eras of Tunisia's history, starting from the ancient Punic-Carthaginian period.

One of Siliana's most notable historical sites is Zama Regia (or Zamarigia), the capital of Numidia during the reign of King Juba I (85 BC – 46 BC). Juba I, a prominent Numidian ruler, died in 46 BC during the Battle of Thapsus in present-day Bekalta, Monastir, Tunisia.

Tunisia today holds the three main capitals of ancient Numidia:

1. {{Zama Regia (Zamarigia, located in Siliana)}}


2.Template:Cirta (modern-day Le Kef)


3. Bulla Regia (in Jendouba Governorate)


Siliana’s Cultural and Historical Legacy

While Siliana boasts both natural and historical treasures, it remains an inland region without access to the sea, which has limited its development, including in cultural aspects. Despite some initiatives since Tunisia’s independence, such as building cultural centers, organizing summer festivals, or establishing arts and drama institutions, the region still struggles to fully unlock its potential.

However, festivals and local cultural efforts are beginning to bridge this gap, aiming to introduce rural schoolchildren to the world of theater and art to raise their awareness and appreciation for their heritage from an early age.

Reviving the History of Zama Regia

There is a pressing need to shed light on Zama Regia’s historical importance as a Numidian capital during the ancient era. This effort can contribute to the education and cultural growth of Siliana’s new generation, deepening their knowledge of their region’s rich Punic, Carthaginian, and Numidian history.

With proper attention, Siliana can reclaim its historical significance, inspiring pride in its heritage while contributing to its cultural and educational development.

Location of the battle

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The battle did not in fact take place in the vicinity of Zama. Polybius states that Hannibal, after first camping at Zama, moved to another camp just before the battle; and Livy says that Scipio's camp, near which the battle took place, was at Naraggara, present-day Sakiet Sidi Youssef on the border between Tunisia and Algeria.[1]

Zama Regia

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More than one town in what became the Roman province of Africa was called Zama. The Zama associated with the battle is likely to be the Zama Regia mentioned in Sallust's account of the Jugurthine War as besieged unsuccessfully by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus. Later, Zama Regia was the capital of Juba I of Numidia (60–46 BC) and so, in the view of the Oxford Classical Dictionary, it was called Zama Regia (Royal Zama).[1] Scullard prefers the suggestion that the town got the appellation "Regia" before the destruction of Carthage in 146 BC, indicating that it was not under Carthaginian control and belonged to the kingdom of Numidia.[2]

In 41 BC Zama Regia was captured by Titus Sextius, who, having previously been one of Julius Caesar's legates in Gaul, was then governor of the province of Africa on behalf of the Second Triumvirate.[2] As a Roman town, Zama Regia is mentioned in an inscription found at Rome as "Colonia Aelia Hadriana Augusta Zama Regia", showing that under Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus Augustus), it had been granted the rank of colonia.[1] Zama Regia is mentioned also in the Tabula Peutingeriana.[1][2]

Zama Maior and Zama Minor

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Polybius used the Greek phrase Ζάμα Μείζων, corresponding to Latin Zama Maior, and implying the existence of a smaller town called Zama, a Zama Minor.[1][3]

Bishopric

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The town was in antiquity the seat of a Christian bishopric[4] which survives today as a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church. A Bishop Dialogus of Zama Maior was at the Council of Carthage (411), and a Bishop Marcellus of Zama Minor participated in the Synod of Carthage of AD 255.[5][6] Barthélemy Adoukonou[7] is the current Bishop.

Both Zama are included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees, which does not use the name "Zama Regia".[8]

Localization

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It is agreed that one Zama must have been at present-day Jama, 30 kilometres north of Maktar,[1] and a shorter distance west-northwest of Siliana.[9] An incomplete inscription found here mentions "Zama M...", interpreted by some as "Zama Maior",[2] by others as "Zama Minor".[1][9] Recent systematic excavation of Jama has discovered another incomplete inscription that appears to refer unambiguously to it as "Zama Regia".[10] This seems to put paid to the views expressed by Scullard and others that Jama corresponds neither to Sallust's description of Zama Regia nor to the distances indicated in the Tabula Peutingeriana.[1][2] It appears also to indicate that the towns called Zama were two, not three.

Other sites taken into consideration are Sidi Abd el Djedidi, situated 40 kilometres east of Jama, and Sebaa Biar, the latter of which seems to fit Sallust's account better.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simon Hornblower, Antony Spawforth, Esther Eidinow (editors), Oxford Classical Dictionary (Oxford University Press 2012, ISBN 978-0-19954556-8)
  2. ^ a b c d e Howard Hayes Scullard, Scipio Africanus in the Second Punic War (Cambridge University Press Archive), p. 311
  3. ^ Scullard, p. 310
  4. ^ Zama Minor at catholic-hierarchy.org.
  5. ^ Siméon Vailhé, "Zama" in Catholic Encyclopedia (New York 1912)
  6. ^ The Epistles of S. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage and Martyr (John Henry Parker, 1844) p299.
  7. ^ Le Petit Episcopologe, Issue 208, Number 17,175
  8. ^ Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 1011
  9. ^ a b Tore Kjeilen, "Zama Minor"
  10. ^ Ahmed Ferjaoui, "Localisation de Zama Regia à Jama" in Comptes rendus des séances de l'Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, vol. 146 (2002), pp. 1003-1017
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