The civil basilica of Volubilis
Volubilis, Morocco
2nd-3rd century CE
42.2m long, 22.3m wide
The civil basilica (court of law and seat of the magistrates) lies on the eastern side of the forum of Volubilis (Morocco) and was built during the Severan dynasty between 193 and 235 CE. This imposing building is 42.2m long and 22.3m wide and originally had two storeys. The outer wall of the basilica is faced with Corinthian columns and overlooks the forum where markets were held. The paved forum had numerous statues of emperors and local dignitaries of which only the pedestals now remain.
The basilica in Volubilis had two lateral aisles flanking a central nave with an apse at each end. After the end of Roman rule, when the building was no longer needed to house a bureaucracy, it was converted into a church. A large baptismal font in the floor attests to this. Volubilis thus offers an excellent showcase for the architectural continuity between imperial basilicas and Christian church design. The curia (municipal council) is believed to have met in a hall adjoining the basilica to the east. To the west, the basilica opened widely onto the forum and the principal Berber sanctuary (Sanctuary D). The forum is quite small but contains a rostrum and numerous stone pedestals where bronze statues of local grandees used to stand.
Sources: 1, 2, 3
