The Roman-Berber site of Diana Veteranorum

Diana Veteranorum, today a village called Ain Zana, was an ancient Roman-Berber city in Algeria. Located about 85 km southwest of Cirta, it was founded in connection with the settling of Roman veterans of the Legio III Augusta in northern Africa under the emperor Trajan. Originally likely a Roman vicus with a police station and a community council, it was later promoted to a municipium, potentially as early as 149 or 162 AD.

During the Roman period, the city saw various construction and renovation measures. In 164/165 AD, a memorial arch was issued for the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, and a triumphal arch was erected for the emperor Macrinus in 217. Archaeological excavations at the site have yielded a large paved rectangular forum, an aqueduct, and a temple that may have been dedicated to the goddess Diana. Several mausolea have also been found in the western part of the city.

In the late 4th century, the city was known as Ad Dianam in the Peutinger Table. It later came under the control of the Byzantine Empire, during which time several Roman buildings were replaced or reused. A Christian church was built on the forum, and the triumphal arch for Macrinus was integrated into a small fort. By the second half of the 7th century, the city was captured by the expanding Arab empire.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons