History of the Aqueduct and general aspects of its preservation
By Naïde Ferchiou and Slim Khosrof
Africa: Revue des Études et Recherches préhistoriques, antiques, islamiques et ethnographiques, Vol.19 (2002)
Introduction: The history of the Aqueduct during Antiquity is intimately linked to the history of the city of Carthago, under the Roman then the Byzantine occupation. Later, in medieval and modem times when the Gulf of Tunis regained its hosting role of the province’s capital, the aqueduct accompanied the expansion of the city. The work accomplished on this aqueduct in the past is so important for the water supply of the city, that some of its sectors and structures are still in use nowadays. Setting this complex historical evolution of this aqueduct provides the necessary archaeological background, by pinpointing the multiplicity of interventions based on different building or repair methodologies. In fact the validity of any investigation of alteration or decay concerning ancient building materials, is intimately related to the historical-technical context that has determined there initial fearures.
After the defeat of Carthaginians in 146 B.C., Romans destroyed Carthago. Then in 122 B.C., Caius Gracchus built in the site of the ancient Punic city a colony named “Colonia Junonia Karthago”. Caesar in 44 B-C was interested in this colony; he decided for a second time the foundation of the city. But this was accomplished only after his death by the Chiefs of the Second Triumvirate (Octavius, Marc-Antonio, Lepidus). Finally in 29 B.C. under Octavianus Augustus, this second foundation took effect and the name: Colonia Julia Concordia Karthago has been attributed to it. Its urban development began and continued gradually and slowly along the 1st century under the Julio-Claudians and the Flavians.