FORUM SOUTH TEMPLE AND FORUM BASILICA

On the road to Cardo, the first temple on the left is the south temple of the forum, on a platform at the marble marches. It was built around 160 BC, but we don't know whom it was dedicated to. Directly north of this temple is the basilica of the forum, also known as the "Basilica of Apuleius". It is thus appointed by reference to the famous episode of the trial of the author Apuleius, who was certainly here in 157. The Néoplatonicien writer of Berber origin (born in Numidia, present Algeria) defended himself so well that he was acquitted, while he was accused by his wife and his stepfather of using the magic to marry the rich héritière, met in Monterrey (Tripoli). If, at that time, it was the courthouse, the building was renovated to become a Christian basilica during the Byzantine period. In the choir of the basilica a beautiful Roman column reused by the Byzantine. The baptistery will be shown on the basilica, in the west of the apse.