The Roman North American Macella: Their Chronology, Typology, Urban Placement and Patronage

Abstract

<p>From the first to the fifth centuries A.D., the inhabitants of many Roman North African towns went to a <em>macellum</em> to buy food for their dinner banquets. The typical <em>macellum</em> plan consists of an enclosed structure with a peristyle court lined with shops. The archaeological evidence suggests that the Roman North African <em>macella</em> were often bold and innovative variations from the Italian <em>macella</em>.</p> <p>Since many of the Roman North African <em>macella</em> were excavated in the early 1900s, there have been relatively few recent publications and excavations undertaken on these significant buildings. One exception is C. De Ruyt's book, Macellum. Marché alimentaire des Romains (1983). De Ruyt, catalogued the remains of eighty-three <em>macella</em> found in Sicily, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, England, Spain and North Africa. Additionally, De Ruyt's book includes a detailed study of the origins of the <em>macellum</em> type, information about the market's urban and historical context, and evidence for the varieties of foods sold.</p> <p>This thesis, using De Ruyt's book as the starting point for research on the <em>macellum</em>, focuses specifically on the Roman North African <em>macella</em>, since there are still problems to be resolved concerning these buildings. For example, was there a <em>macellum</em> which was essentially Roman North African in design? Did the market-type in North Africa simply imitate the plans of earlier Italian <em>macella</em>? What does the placement of the <em>macellum</em> within an urban setting tell us about its importance and function? What was the role of patrons in the construction and restoration of these markets?</p> <p>The thesis on Roman North African <em>macella</em> is divided into four chapters: Chronology, Typology, Urban placement and Patronage (euergetism). Archaeological and epigraphical evidence is included for Roman North African <em>macella</em> not listed in De Ruyt's catalogue.</p>