Travels in the footsteps of Bruce in Algeria and Tunis

by Sir R. Lambert Playfair

Plate IX.

J. LEITCH &. C^o. Sc.

QUADRIFRONTAL ARCH OF CARACALLA AT THEVESTE (TEBESSA)

FAC SIMILE OF INDIAN INK SKETCH BY BRUCE.

HENRY S. KING C^o. LONDON.

Septimius Severus died in A.D. 211, and the two Augusti mentioned in the testament were evidently Caracalla and Geta. Caracalla murdered his brother in 212, consequently the date of the testament is fixed between those two years, though the execution of the work may have been a little later. The east façade bears a dedication to Septimius Severus himself. It has a medallion similar to the W. front, of a warrior in armour, resting on a head of the Medusa, representing probably Septimius Severus himself, and the terror which his countenance was supposed to inspire. It runs as follows:—

DIVO . PIO . SEVERO . PATRI

IMP. CAES. M. AVRELI . SEVERI . ANTONINI .

PII. FELICIS . AVG. ARAB. ADIAB. PARTH. MAX. BRIT.