Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-04
needed less space than many an American
town of one-tenth the size.

neeOeO less space tndH HldHy al <AIucliCou
town of one-tenth the size.
The Streets Of Timgad.
The parts so far excavated were the chief
business and residence centers. They are
divided up into streets about twenty feet
wide, which cross each other at right an
giles. There are miles of these streets al
ready exposed. and one can walk over
them on the same pavements on which the
Romans rode in their chariots. I tramped
much of my way in the ruts cut by the
chariots, and l found the stones Of the
roads worn smooth by the feet of these
people of fifteen centuries since. The main
streets are tagged with great blocks OF
limestone, about three feet wide and often
four feet long, fitted closely together.
Under every street Is deep sewer lun
ming from one end OF 1t to the otne., ana
Nearly every house has its own connection
with the sewer, and there are pubic con-
veniences In all parts OF the CITY:
The streets are lined with cufDstohes, anu
the principal avenues have great marble
columns on each side Of them. some OF
which are broken and some almost perfect
MANY of these columns are entlreiy miss
ling, but their places beyond the cuIDst9hes
can be plainly seen. One can stand IN
some of these streets and look for mile
through ruined pillars, easily picturing 10
himself the grandeur OF Ilmeao IN ''s
prime.
On the Way to the Forum.
Let US make our way along the main
avenues, which lead through the center OF
the town, to the Forum. We enter one by
great stone gate decorated with carvin ss
over f1agstones cut into deep ruts oy the
chariot wheels. There are pillars on both
sides of the streets, reaching on and on to
the Forum, and beyond them on each side
nf rnfDc6 buildings
ranging in height to that of my head or
higher. The ravagcs of time, Of siege. and
OF the Mohammedan iconoclast have cut
away the tops of the buildings; but enough
of the walls are still left so that one can
see Just how they were constructed, and
can walk from room to room, through
house after house.
At the right side Of this main street. fac
ing the Forum, ran covered passageWay,
the top Of which rested upon these pillars
This was for foot passengers who could
there move along without danger from the
throng of chariots and horses in the street
outside At the same time the people could
see out between the columns. On tho other
side of this facade or passageway the resi-
dences faced, and on the opposite side OF
the roadway the houses came close up to
the column-lined street.
On the Vic Decumanus Maxfmus, which
cuts the street l have described at right
angles and leads from the great arch Of
Trajan to the Forum, one side Is lined with
stores. The greatest number OF stores are
right near the Forum, and they probably
formed the chief mercantile houses of the
city Each establishment had a main room
: facing the street. with another in the rear.
which was probably used as a warehouse or
| as q private room for its owner. The Decu-
manus Maximus had deep ruts in the flags
| from one end Of it to the other. and 1t Is
easy to imagine 1t filed with the gay throns
| Of the days Of the Emperors Trajan and
Marcus Aurelius.
In the Roman Butcher Shops.
] I walked through store after store in this