Thysdrus, Ancient city in El Djem, Tunisia

Thysdrus is an ancient city in El Djem, Tunisia, with remains from Carthaginian and Roman times. The site covers a wide area and features a large amphitheatre, a racetrack, and other ruins that show how the city was laid out.

Thysdrus began as a small Berber and Punic village. In 45 BC, Julius Caesar settled veterans there, and the town grew into a Roman city that later became a municipality under Emperor Septimius Severus.

The name Thysdrus comes from the Punic word ŠṬPŠR, and the site still carries traces of that early Berber and Punic past. Walking through the ruins, you can see how the city was once a meeting point for different cultures, with coins and inscriptions that mix Punic and Roman traditions.

The ruins are spread out, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as shade is limited. Start at the amphitheatre, which is the easiest part to find, then follow the paths to the other remains.

The racetrack at Thysdrus could hold around 30,000 people, making it one of the largest in the Roman world. It is often overlooked by visitors who come only for the amphitheatre, yet it shows how important chariot racing was here.