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Basilica of Saint Cyprian

Carthage, XX

Basilica of Saint Cyprian

The Basilica of Saint-Cyprien, also known as Basilica near Sainte-Monique, is a ruined Christian temple located on the edge of the Tunisian archaeological site of Carthage, on the Bordj Djedid plateau and the seafront. The Christian basilicas of Carthage were excavated by the White Fathers from the

1880s onwards. The largest is the Basilica of Damous El Karita, discovered in 1878 by Father Alfred Louis Delattre. The Basilica of Saint-Cyprien, mostly attributed to Saint Cyprian, was found in 1915 by Father Delattre during his last excavation campaign. The site was explored according to the practices in use at the time. The current remains are meager and difficult to interpret, due to untimely interventions at the 1930 Carthage Eucharistic congress. The building enjoys a panoramic view over the Gulf of Tunis and the Djebel Boukornine and has been identified by literary sources as the edifice dedicated to Saint Cyprian, who died on September 14, 258 during the persecution of Valerian. This identification, proposed at the time of the excavations, has been confirmed by most researchers, including Charles Saumagne, based on ancient texts. However, the absence of epigraphic sources to formally...

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