During its second and third century, the city enjoyed a peaceful existence.
Timgad fell into decline after the Vandal invasion in the 5th century and the subsequent sacking by Berbers.
The city was revived in the 6th century under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
A fortress was built outside the original town and many blocks from earlier Roman buildings were reused.
But the city fell once again to an Arab invasion in the 7th century.
The site was finally abandoned in the 8th century.
The city was forgotten until it was excavated from under the sand in 1881.
All these centuries lying under the sand of the Sahara, Timgad remained exceptionally well preserved.
There a temple dedicated to Jupiter that is of approximately the same dimensions as the Pantheon in Rome.
A large Byzantine citadel stands to the southeast of the city.
Photo credit: George Steinmetz
Photo credit
Sources:Wikipedia/UNESCO/Lonely PlanetviaReddit
