Punic trading post Initially the city was a small ancient
Punic trading-post.
Roman colony Conquered by
Ancient Rome, it was turned into a military
colony by the
emperor Claudius for the conquest of the kingdoms of
Mauretania. Afterwards it became a
municipium called
Colonia Aelia Augusta Tipasensium. The Roman city was built on three small hills which overlooked the sea, nearly 20 km. east from
Caesarea (capital of
Mauretania Caesariensis). Under Roman rule the city acquired greater commercial and military importance because of its harbour and its central position on the system of Roman coastal roads in North Africa. A wall of approximately 7,500 feet (2,300 metres) was built around the city for defense against nomadic tribes, and Roman public buildings and districts of houses were constructed within the enclosure. Commercially Tipasa was of considerable importance, but it was not distinguished in art or learning.
Christian Tipasa Christianity was introduced to Tipasa early, or 238. In the ensuing decades the city fell into ruin. At the end of the seventh century the city was destroyed by the
Arabs and reduced to ruins. The newcomers gave it the name
Tefassed, which translated from the
Arabic language means
badly damaged. ==Climate change==