Saldae

Saldae, an ancient Roman port city located in present-day Béjaïa, Algeria, played a significant role as a crossroads between the eastern and western regions of Northern Africa. Initially inhabited by Numidian Berbers, it evolved from a minor Carthaginian port to a notable Roman colony under Emperor Augustus. The city expanded during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, becoming a hub of Roman culture and administration within Mauretania Caesariensis. Archaeological remains include Roman fortifications, public baths, a temple, aqueducts, and mosaics. In the 5th century CE, Saldae became the capital of the Vandal Kingdom until the Byzantine conquest in the 6th century. After the city declined post-Arab conquest, it was revived in the 11th century by the Hammadid dynasty, transforming into the cultural and commercial center known as Béjaïa.