HENRY S. KING Co. LONDON.
The ancient name probably had the same signification as the modern word Dougga still bears in the Berber language, green grass; and, indeed, it would be difficult to find a more charming position, or one which, from its abundant water-supply, was more likely to be always verdant, than the hillside on which the city was built.
The most beautiful of all the ruins here—and, I am tempted to add, the most exquisite gem of art I have seen in North Africa—is the temple built from the private resources of two brothers, and dedicated, as will be seen, to Jupiter and Minerva. Bruce calls this
One of the most beautiful ruins of a temple in white marble in the world.
And again he says—
It is, I think, one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I ever saw, the richest in ornament, and the most elegant in execution. I spent fifteen days upon the architecture of that temple without feeling the smallest disgust, or forming a wish to finish it.
It is, with all its parts, still unfinished, in my collection. These beautiful and magnificent remains of ancient taste and greatness, so easily reached in perfect safety by a ride along the Bagrada, were at Tunis perfectly unknown. Dr. Shaw has given the situation of the place without saying one word about anything curious it contains.
Bruce’s illustrations of this temple consist of nine sheets:—
1. A perspective view in pencil of the front of the portico, showing the door of the cella and the apse beyond.
2. Details and measurements in pencil of capital and base of column, and of entablature.