Editing Numidia (section)

== Major cities ==
Numidia  became highly romanized and was studded with numerous towns.<ref name="EB1911" /> The chief towns of Roman Numidia were: in the north, [[Cirta]] or modern [[Constantine, Algeria|Constantine]], the capital, with its port [[Russicada]] (Modern [[Skikda]]); and [[Hippo Regius]] (near [[Annaba|Bône]]), well known as the [[Episcopal See|see]] of St. [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]. To the south in the interior military roads led to [[Theveste]] (Tebessa) and [[Lambaesis]] (Lambessa) with extensive Roman remains, connected by military roads with Cirta and Hippo, respectively.<ref name="EB1911" /><ref>[http://www.cassiciaco.it/navigazione/africa/tavole_geografiche/numidia.html Detailed map of Roman Numidia]</ref>

Lambaesis was the seat of the [[Legio III Augusta|Legio III ''Augusta'']], and the most important strategic centre.<ref name="EB1911"/> It commanded the passes of the [[Aurès Mountains]] (Mons Aurasius), a mountain block that separated Numidia from the [[Gaetuli]] Berber tribes of the desert, and which was gradually occupied in its whole extent by the Romans under the Empire. Including these towns, there were altogether twenty that are known to have received at one time or another the title and status of Roman colonies; and in the 5th century, the ''[[Notitia Dignitatum]]'' enumerates no fewer than 123 sees whose bishops assembled at Carthage in 479.<ref name="EB1911"/>