Madghacen

Madracen
Imdghasn
Photo in 2010
Location in Algeria
Location in Algeria
Shown within Algeria
LocationBatna Province, Algeria
RegionNumidia
Coordinates35°42′26″N 6°26′04″E / 35.70722°N 6.43444°E / 35.70722; 6.43444

Madghacen (Berber languages: imedɣasen), also spelled Medracen or Medghassen or Medrassen or Madghis is a royal mausoleum-temple of the Berber Numidian Kings which stands near Batna city in Aurasius Mons in Numidia, Algeria.[1]

Though independent, the Numidian kingdom was increasingly involved in Mediterranean power politics, and an architect familiar with classical architecture has surrounded the vertical section of wall at the base with engaged columns in the Doric order, "heavily proportioned and with smooth shafts, beneath a cavetto cornice". The whole exterior was, and very largely still is, covered with a stone facing, the straight cone of the upper part (except for a flat top) formed into steps, like the Pyramids of Egypt.[2]

  1. ^ Ibn Khaldun and Yassine Bouharrou, History of the Berbers [ISBN missing][page needed]
  2. ^ Lawrence, A. W., Greek Architecture, p. 189, 1957, Penguin, Pelican history of art

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