Sullecthum and Neapolis: Comparisons between two Roman African port cities

Abstract

Archaeological excavations and surveys at Sullecthum (Salakta) and Neapolis (Nabeul), have enabled a comparative inventory of the resources, amphora production and commercial outlets of these two port cities of Africa proconsularis, revealing two different economic models: a port-warehouse (Sullecthum) dedicated to the redistribution of oil produced mainly outside its territory; and a port-city (Neapolis) for the export of its own productions, mainly salsamenta. The critical examination of the archaeological data, without completely challenging this model, nevertheless demonstrates a much greater complexity of links between these port cities and their hinterland and their evolution over time.