Theveste

Theveste was a Roman colony in Berber north Africa. Its modern name is Tébessa, Algeria

History

In 146 BC Romans conquered the region, where existed an old city called "Tbessa". Theveste was founded by the Romans in 75 AD near an old Berber village, next to the Aures mountains in order to control the mountain region.

During the 1st century CE, the Legio III Augusta resided there before being transferred to Lambaesis. It was made a colonia probably under Trajan.

Theveste flourished under Septimius Severus reaching a population calculated in nearly 30,000 inhabitants, and was even an important Dioceses See.

There is mention of a council held there by the Donatists. Among its saints were St Lucius, its bishop, who in 256 AD assisted at the Council of Carthage and died as a martyr two years later; St Maximilianus, martyred 12 March, 295 AD; St Crispina, martyred 5 December, 304 AD. Some of its bishops are known: Romulus in 349 AD; Urbicus in 411 AD; Felix exiled by the Vandals in 484 AD; Palladius mentioned in an inscription.