Where is the colosseum in tunisia. The Roman heritage of Tunisia - the famous El Jem Colosseum

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It has been three years since our trip to North Africa, but the memories are still strong, as if the trip was yesterday. Of all my travels, it was from Tunisia that I got the most vivid impressions. And the strongest of them, of course, were not even impressions from a jeep safari in the Sahara, but rather from a giant amphitheater of the Ancient Roman era (III century AD) in the tiny town of El Jem ( El Jem). Its size is only slightly inferior to the Roman Colosseum and the amphitheater in Italian city Capua (Italian) Capua). But, in terms of its safety, it confidently ranks first in the world!

It is difficult to describe those feelings when you do not look at some excavations, but enter, through the centuries, with your own feet on a fully preserved gladiatorial arena that remembers thousands of human destinies. Here, Roman chariots rushed by at great speeds, and swords, crossing, knocked out sparks... Each battle in this arena was at the limit of human capabilities, because the price was someone's life...

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The hand slowly touches the ancient stones of the walls of the amphitheater, the atmospheric soundtrack of Hans Zimmer from the famous film "Gladiator" by Ridley Scott sounds in the headphones and, at the same moment, modern world ceases to exist around you. A few tourists seem to dissolve in the air, and their place in the stands of the amphitheater is taken by the Roman nobility in light festive snow-white robes. Women are trying to hide from the hot African sun in the shade of the columns, the rumble of voices hangs in the air... From time to time, the tension in the air is broken by the sounds of horns - to the root, everyone is waiting for the beginning of the bloody performance...

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Images and feelings are mixed into a single whole, forcing you to be completely transported to that distant era. At this moment there is only you and the surrounding space majestic amphitheater El-Jem!

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Modern El-Jem stands on the site of an ancient Phoenician settlement, the age of which, in contrast to the capital of the Phoenician kingdom, is Carthage(founded in 814 BC), even scientists find it difficult to name. After a series of Punic wars between Rome and Carthage, the latter was destroyed in 146 BC. and turned into a colony. Moving south, the Roman Empire, presumably in 46 BC. founds the city of Tysdr (lat. thysdrus), the future El-Jem.

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The economic dawn of the settlement falls on II - early. III century, when olive plantations grow around the city due to the favorable climate. Olive oil, in those days, was valued in Rome worth its weight in gold. In addition, the city was located at the intersection trade routes from Central Africa to mediterranean sea. All this led to the fact that Tizdr quickly became one of the most important cities in North Africa, the second largest after Carthage, and its population reached 30 thousand people.

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As in any prosperous city, the wealthy demanded spectacles in which to invest their money. So, in 230 AD, by order of the proconsul Mark Antony Gordian(lat. Marcus Antonius Gordianus), the future emperor, the construction of the amphitheater began, which, after 8 years, was stopped.

Start of construction.

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Amphitheater plan.

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To understand why the amphitheater was never completed, I propose to look at what happened in those years in the Roman Empire.

Presumably this is how it should have been.

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And there everything was extremely sad ... In 235 AD. internecine wars for the imperial throne begin. The conspirators kill the emperor Alexandra Severa along with his mother, after which the Empire begins to burst at the seams. The legions proclaim "their own man" emperor - Gaia Julius Maximina Thracian, who became the first emperor who came out of ordinary soldiers.

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A couple of years later, the newly-minted emperor acquired an adversary in the person of the proconsul Gordian, who was nominated to the imperial throne by legions loyal to him. Gordian agreed to this adventure on the condition that his son would be co-ruler. Gordian II, to which he received approval from the Senate of Rome.

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In the outbreak of war, in the battle with the legions of Maximin, Gordian the Younger dies near Carthage. Upon learning of this, Gordian I commits suicide by hanging himself on his belt ... The Roman Senate appoints their man, the senator, as the new emperor Mark of Claudius Poupien who continued the war against Maximinus.

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The displaced Maximinus Thracian himself lived a little longer. Having advanced with an army to Italy, he dies along with his son, in the battle near the city of Aquileia, a couple of months after the suicide of Gordian I.

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The life of Mark Poupien also ended sadly, who did not deserve the trust of the people and during the next uprising was killed by the Praetorians in own palace. The throne of Rome passes Mark Antony Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I.

I will not continue the story about the fate of future emperors, I will only say that the III century for Rome became a real nightmare. Over a 50-year period, more than 26 people become contenders for the imperial box and almost all of them die. violent death.

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But, back to our "Tunisian Coliseum" and the reign of Gordian I.

The three-story amphitheater, measuring 138 meters long and 114 meters wide, turned out to be a real majestic handsome man. Tall arched galleries with many passages surrounded the sandy arena, 65 meters long and 39 meters wide, and the walls were decorated with multi-colored mosaics depicting galloping horsemen, hunters and animals pursued by them. An imperial box was arranged above the eastern entrance.

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As in most other amphitheatres, gladiator fights were also the main spectacle here. Besides, big size arenas allowed to arrange battles on war chariots.

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The amphitheater of Tizdrus had its own peculiarity. Unlike Italy, fights with wild predatory animals were common in the African "Coliseum". They fought like gladiators, and only animal fights were arranged between various types predators. The wild animals that were released into the arena were dedicated to the gods: the lion and the bull - to Saturn and Juno, the panther - to Dionysus, the bear - to Diana.

As an additional bloody entertainment, unarmed slaves were often released into the arena, who were literally torn to pieces by hungry animals...

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Gladiators, wild animals, and slaves were kept in special cells and cages. For these purposes, under the arena of the amphitheater, a whole underground city. Separate rooms were intended for dying gladiators, as well as for storing corpses.

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Today, this underground city, almost completely preserved and unparalleled in the world, is available to visitors. In the cells and passages, once filled with the groans of the dying and the cries of battle, deathly silence.

Gladiator's chamber.

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Special feelings arise when you pass through the "corridor of death" through which the gladiators entered the arena. Of all the lighting there used to be, there were only a few torches here, as well as a bright white light at the end of a long corridor, where there was an exit to the arena. Maybe this is where the expression "light at the end of the tunnel" came from, meaning the border between life and death?

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After the death of Gordian I, in 238 AD, Tizdr, seriously destroyed by the opposition troops, was no longer able to recover. However, the amphitheater itself survived and stood intact until the 7th century.

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In 699, Tizdr becomes the center of an uprising of the queen of the united Berber state, Dahiyaal-Kahinu bint-Tabitu ( Al Kahina) against the Arab conquest. After the defeat of the uprising, the settlement was abandoned by the inhabitants.

City with modern name El Jem(translated from Arabic - "crossroads") appears here only at the beginning of the XVII century. It was during this period that the destruction of the amphitheater began. The stones of its walls are used as a free building material for the construction of city houses, as well as for the construction Great Cathedral Mosque in Kairouan. So the northern wall of the amphitheater was practically destroyed. The amphitheater, which was used as a fortress, was finally destroyed in 1850 as a result of cannon fire. Ottoman Empire.

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Today, like many centuries ago, El Jem is crowded, but mainly because of the numerous tourists. The trade in souvenirs, clothes and other goods is bustling here. For these purposes, even a small market is equipped. At the same time, compared to Rome, the percentage of tourists here is just tiny, which allows you to enjoy all the beauty of the amphitheater in full, as well as make beautiful deserted shots.

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It would not be superfluous to add that the price of the "Tunisian Coliseum" is only 10 TND (300 rubles), plus 1 TND - permission to shoot. This is against 12 € in the Roman Colosseum. For 10 dinars, you can walk unlimitedly throughout the entire space of the amphitheater, visit the underground galleries and the upper tiers, which offer a panoramic view of modern El Jem.

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Surprisingly, the general view of the amphitheater and the modern music scene do not spoil at all. The fact is that in August, thanks to the amazing acoustics, the annual International Festival classical music open air.

Musical stage in the arena of the amphitheater.

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One way or another, the El Jem amphitheater leaves an indelible mark on the memory of any person, even if he is not particularly interested in Ancient Rome. And for connoisseurs of history, there is even a small Archaeological Museum(one kilometer from the amphitheater), where you can see fragments of preserved mosaics from the walls.

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At the end of my story, I want to dispel one modern legend associated with El Jem. The fact is that almost all tourist catalogs say that the amphitheater is also famous for the fact that certain scenes of the famous film " Gladiator"Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. It is clear that this is done to lure tourists and increase the tourist flow.

In reality, "Gladiator" was never filmed in El Jem. Firstly, film companies would simply not be allowed to shoot a feature film in such historical place. Secondly, Ridley Scott himself said that the size of the Roman Colosseum is too small for his ideas, what can we say about El-Jem then?

Filming of "Gladiator" was carried out in England, Morocco and Malta, where a model of a huge amphitheater was built, as well as all sorts of additional "street" scenery. Everything else, such as the upper tiers, was completed using computer graphics. Malta has long been a mecca for such cinema. It was also filmed, no less famous, the film "Troy", as well as the TV series "Game of Thrones".

Since 1979, open to all African winds, the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater have been included in the list world heritage UNESCO.

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blacktroll
27/11/2015

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I was offered to go there, and before the trip I looked on the Internet, read about this amphitheater. It turned out that this is the largest amphitheater in the world after the Colosseum! And unlike the latter, it is well preserved. Many films about Ancient Rome(the same “Gladiator”) was filmed here.

We arrived in El-Jem already in the evening. We were allowed in even though ticket sales were almost over. We only had an hour, but it was enough for us to walk around the amphitheater and appreciate its size and beauty. You will have to walk a lot, so wear light and comfortable shoes (flip flops, sandals or sneakers - according to the season). We climbed to the uppermost tiers, from where simply amazing landscapes opened, both of the city of El-Jem itself and of the amphitheater itself.

A selfie against the backdrop of El Jem, which is illuminated by the setting sun, is something with something! Just do not take pictures of a nearby camel. The driver will then demand money from you.

About the history of El Jem

Once on the site of the Arab town of El-Jem (I wrote about it) stood ancient city Tizdr. Under him, the amphitheater was built. It was erected by the proconsul Gordian “in the image and likeness” of the Colosseum and could accommodate up to 30,000 people. It was built from large blocks of sandstone.

It was used very little for its intended purpose. Mostly gladiator fights or chariot races were held there. This is due to the political events that were then taking place in the Roman Empire. Gordian, who was the proconsul of Carthage, decided to become emperor himself and raised a rebellion against the then emperor Maximilian. His attempt failed, and with his fall, the popularity of the amphitheater fell.

Until the 7th century, the amphitheater stood intact. Then the Arabs who came to these lands began to use sandstone stones from the amphitheater for the construction of the Great Mosque of Kairouan and for the new city - El-Jem.

Now this is a huge building in literally feeds the inhabitants of the city of El Jem itself. It attracts both foreigners and local travelers, which brings in money. They also hold various performances here, as the acoustics are just class! When we were there, there was a choir of schoolchildren who were rehearsing there.

What to see

Walk through the stands and imagine how a huge crowd is shouting at the fighting gladiators in the arena. How is that living history! Note the far end of the amphitheater. There is a square grate where an elevator was placed for descending gladiators or animals. Figured holes are drains for blood. The Romans provided for everything in the construction of their amphitheatres.

If you climb to the very top of the stands, then from there a magnificent view of the whole city opens up!

Below are rooms where there were animals and gladiators. On the outer walls of the amphitheater, frescoes depicting animals, etc., have been preserved.

Next to it there are toilets, a kiosk.

Opening hours and ticket price

from September 16 to June 17 - 07:30–17:30;
from June 18 to July 17 - 08:00–17:00;
from July 18 to September 15 - 07:30–18:30.

A ticket costs 5 EUR (this price includes a visit to the Villa of Africa, a museum in the city, which displays exhibits found during excavations in Tunisia. About the museum in detail).

How to get there

When you arrive in the city, you will immediately see majestic building amphitheater. Finding him is easy. Nearby are numerous souvenir shops. The entrance is from south side. After passing the ticket office, you can immediately go to the amphitheater itself.

Best to go with special excursions who organize travel companies. Then a guide will be with you, who will tell you about its history and features at the same time.

The amphitheater is also available for individual visits. How to do this is written in my article on .

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The amphitheater hosts the International Festival symphonic music. Good musicians from all over the world come there, and thanks to excellent acoustics, the sound spreads throughout the amphitheater. The cost of visiting is from 10 to 20 EUR. It goes for three days. Every day starts at 21:00. You can listen to excellent performance of both classical music and jazz or blues compositions.

Modern El-Jem in the Roman era was called Fisdrus. It was one of the most beautiful and richest cities of the Roman Empire. Like almost all Roman settlements in Tunisia, it was built on the remains of the Punic city that preceded it.

In the II century. n. BC, when the climate here was less arid than today, Thysdrus became an important center for the production of olive oil for export, and by the beginning of the 3rd century it was already competing with Hadrumet (modern Sousse) for the right to be considered the second most important city of Roman North Africa (after Carthage). In today's El Jem, you can see the most impressive and impressive ensemble of ancient Roman buildings of all that have survived on the territory of Tunisia, which is rightfully included in.

African Colosseum

The pearl of this ensemble is a huge amphitheater, not inferior in scale to the Roman Colosseum. It could simultaneously accommodate 35,000 spectators. In the entire Roman Empire, it was surpassed in size only by the Colosseum (approximately 45,000 spectators) and the unpreserved amphitheater in Capua.

The dimensions of the elliptical amphitheater in El Jem along the main axes are 148 × 122 m, the height of the outer walls reached 36 m. The seats for spectators were located in three tiers, resting on sixty powerful arcades. The box of honor in the center opposite the entrance occupied a height of two tiers. High vaulted galleries under the benches for spectators have been preserved, which once played the role of a kind of “foyer”.

Tunnels ran under the arena. From the central tunnel, running along the longitudinal axis of the amphitheater, side passages branched out. In some of them there were cages for wild animals, and in others - rooms for gladiators. A spoliary, or, simply, a mortuary, was immediately arranged.

Pearl of Roman Africa

The amphitheater was built around 238 by the governor of the province of Proconsular Africa Gordian (it is assumed that the construction was never fully completed) and was used for gladiator fights and chariot races. The fate of this huge structure, like that of the entire city, was tragic.

In 238 in North Africa an uprising began against the emperor Maximinus Thracian. Gordian was proclaimed the new emperor. The Roman Senate confirmed this election, declaring Maximin, hated by everyone, an enemy of the fatherland, but Gordian reigned for only 36 days: when his son died in the fight against the Mauritanian ruler Capellian, Gordian himself took his own life in despair. After that, troops loyal to Emperor Maximin completely destroyed Fysdrus, and the city was never able to recover from this pogrom.

The huge amphitheater stood more or less intact until the 17th century. Later locals they began to disassemble it into stone for the needs of the city of El-Jem, building material from the ruins of the amphitheater was also taken to Kairouan for the construction of the Grand Mosque. The amphitheater also suffered from the fighting: during one of the anti-Ottoman uprisings, the Turks fired at it from cannons.

The Colosseum in El Jem (Tunisia) is called the "Golden Crown of Africa". This monument, erected from afar, really resembles the headdress of a royal person. On the territory of modern El-Jem was then the city of Tisdrus - Cultural Center ancient Africa. The construction of the majestic monument was never completed.

What is an ancient amphitheatre?

Is there a Colosseum in Tunisia? Everyone knows the answer to this question. But few people know about what happened in the amphitheater 18 centuries ago. Imagine an ancient African city with its inhabitants, eager for amusements that would terrify even the most cold-blooded modern person.

When early evening the gusty wind over the steppe intensified, its conquest was mixed with the hiss of wild animals, death cries and the roar of a crowd of thousands. The echo carried far and wide. The Colosseum in Tunisia, which today is visited by sedate tourists, once shuddered with games. More than thirty thousand people can accommodate the tiers of the amphitheater, where gladiators converged on a mortal fight, horses, panthers, lions collided ...

The huge arena - one of the largest created in the era of the Roman Empire - is almost equal in size to the Roman Colosseum. Its length is 65 meters. Width - 39 meters. On a ghostly plain, swept by endless winds, this monument rises like a powerful and formidable fortress.

Construction

Where is the Colosseum in Tunisia? The cultural monument is located in El Jem. It is worth talking about the city, which was once a prosperous colony of Rome. Namely, about Tisdrus. The population worshiped the goddesses of Africa and the god of winemaking, Dionysus, who, while still a small child, bravely saddled a tiger. With the same courage, the locals at the beginning of the second century AD set about building their own Colosseum.

This is the time of the highest flowering of their self-consciousness, influence, wealth, power. The amphitheater is the embodiment of impeccable harmony. Everything is well thought out. An unthinkable, breathtaking combination of monumentality and aspiration to the sky.

Rise of Thysdrus

What is the Colosseum in Tunisia? Why was it built? This amphitheater is a monument created by the inhabitants of the city of Thysdrus to themselves. What kind of ambition did you have to have in order to transform a small steppe village into a luxurious oasis?

Back in 50 BC, the local Berbers demonstrated to Caesar both obstinacy and hard work, the ability to trade. Then the city lived mainly by agriculture. Three hundred thousand quarters of wheat - incredible amount For ancient world- they managed to collect from their fields. This is what became the basis of their later prosperity, thanks to which they were able to build their Colosseum. In the Tunisian city of El Jeme, today it is the main attraction.

cruel games

From all over the region, masses of people flocked to the performance, which captured and deafened the audience with incredible, cruel, often deadly contractions. In the vast catacombs there was an ominous, terrifying smell, endless labyrinths and cages for animals and people. Terrible sounds were heard here, made by hunters and their victims.

Panthers, tigers, lions and criminals sentenced to death penalty They were all waiting to enter the arena. A simple but merciless principle reigned here - the strongest survive. The building accommodated spectators much more than the city of inhabitants. The Colosseum in Tunis is the last great amphitheater built in the Roman Empire and one of the best examples of this type of buildings.

Gladiator - a prestigious profession in Antiquity

Fanfares announced the beginning of the games. Participants walked along the noisy stands. Then a bright theatrical performance began, in which the veneration of the Roman gods played a significant role. Under the jubilant cries of the crowd were gladiators. For huge sums of money, they were willing to risk their lives in a fight with wild animals.

Such spectacles were quite consistent with the lifestyle of a prosperous state. Here such qualities as success, strength, willingness to take risks were highly valued. Heroes were respected and extolled. The colosseum for gladiators was an excellent place to test their strength.

Appearance

Ancient architects did their best. They managed to create an amphitheater in which the arena was beautifully illuminated by the sun's rays, falling here through numerous gaps. The mosaic was made in a unique style. IN architectural appearance The buildings combine the traditions of Arabic and Roman architecture.

The funds needed to build the monument came from the olive trade. In the two hundred years that have passed since the time of Caesar, the city has been transformed into a picturesque grove. The meager steppe area, depleted for centuries, has become a major supplier of olive oil. The modest colony was dominated by money and ambition, and the amphitheater became the place for the demonstration of which.

No convincing historical source can explain why it was here, in this area, that such a prosperous city arose. After all, the construction required a lot of effort. The monument was built of sandstone, which was brought here by portage from afar. There are no fancy ornaments on the walls, which is explained by the peculiarities of the material on which the drawing will not stick. But much more important shade of stone gives the amphitheater an amazing glow in the daytime.

Fall of Thysdrus

The construction took eight years. The city opposed the increase in taxes in the Roman Empire, elected and crowned its own emperor. But he soon suffered a crushing defeat. The Colosseum in Tunisia was never completed. Tisdrus himself has sunk into oblivion. Centuries have passed. The conquerors destroyed part of the amphitheater. The catacombs often served as a refuge for the rebels.

Colosseum in Tunisia: reviews

Having become acquainted with the history of this monument, a person planning a trip to Tunisia expects to see the ruins. After all, the construction of the Colosseum was not completed, and a lot of time has passed since the fall of the ancient city. However, according to reviews, the amphitheater is a completely harmonious building. The building, which has rounded shapes and arched windows, looks very festive against the background of the blue sky.

The monument is striking in its scale. It is of interest even among tourists who do not consider themselves lovers of antiquity. And for people with a developed imagination, when visiting the Colosseum, pictures of cruel gladiator fights appear before their eyes. Numerous rows cannot but be of interest. As already mentioned, the theater accommodated about thirty thousand people. And all these people were overwhelmed by the thirst for bloody spectacles.

A visit to the Colosseum is included in almost every excursion program. Guides tell amazing stories not only about the construction of the amphitheater, but some Interesting Facts. So, many of them claim that the famous film "Gladiator" was filmed here.

On mediterranean coast with an unforgettable scent of jasmine, warm sea and amazing beaches, located Dreamland- Tunisia.

But, it would be wrong to think that people go to Tunisia only to lie on the golden sand and taste freshly caught fish. This is a country with an extraordinary culture and ancient history.

Once upon a time, the El-Jem amphitheater accommodated more than 300 thousand spectators, which is more than the entire population of the city. It was the third largest building after Capua and the Roman amphitheaters.

Around the amphitheater of El Jema, a huge bazaar was seething, flourishing thanks to the sale of olive oil.

Today it is also full of people, but these are already crowds of tourists, and the stalls are littered mainly with souvenirs.

The amphitheater was built exclusively for chariot races and gladiator fights. By the way, the film with Russell Crowe "Gladiator" was filmed in the amphitheater El - Jem.

The Tunisian Colosseum was built around 238 AD. e. and until the 7th century. remained almost untouched. Later it was gradually dismantled for construction. Grand Mosque in Kairouan, and in the XIX century. The amphitheater suffered even more from shelling.

The construction of the amphitheater was begun by the proconsul of the province of Africa - Marcus Aurelius Gordian. Later, he declared himself an independent emperor, but his independence lasted only 36 days, and the construction of the amphitheater was stopped due to an uprising that was brutally suppressed by the Roman army.

The amphitheater was oval in shape with three floors above ground. Inside there was a covered staircase, which could be used to climb to any spectator floor. Under the Tunisian Colosseum is an underground city with two passages. There were animals in cages, there were closets for gladiators, slaves - everyone was waiting in the wings to enter the stage for bloody fights.

The size of the amphitheater is amazing even now. Its length is 148 m, width - 122 m and 36 m - height.

If you climb to the very top of the visual range, you can hear what wonderful acoustics here - you can hear any rustle coming from the stage here.

Today, the El Jema Amphitheater is under the protection of UNESCO as a cultural heritage site.

There is a legend that in the famous amphitheater she spent her last days African warrior El Cahena. She is also called the Berber princess, as she led the Berber resistance against the Aglobite dynasty. Help to the besieged building came from Mahdia through underground passages. According to legend, these passages are so large that a laden elephant can easily pass through them.

The locals believe that somewhere in underground tunnels untold treasures of a Berber princess are hidden.

It is also believed that the bricks of the amphitheater are charmed from scorpions, and therefore everyone who visits here tries to take a small pebble with him to protect his house from snakes.

Archaeologists think that there are more buildings dating from the Roman era next to the amphitheater, but so far they are all covered with a thick layer of sand.

It is best to visit the El Jem amphitheater in the afternoon to see how at sunset the sun illuminates every stone of this unique place.

You can get to the amphitheater by taxi (luage), bus or train from the cities of Sousse, Kairouan or Sfax.