BPLDC no.: 08_04_000328

Page Title: Constantine

Collection: Tupper Scrapbooks Collection

Album: Volume 1: Algeria.

Call no.: 4098B.104 v1 (p. 4)

Creator: Tupper, William Vaughn

Genre: Scrapbooks

Extent: 1 page ; 33 x 39 cm.

Description: Scrapbook page contains a history and geographic description of Constantine, Algeria.

Transcription: The remarkable situation of this place has made of it since the earliest times, certainly since B.C. 230 an important fortress, and a natural capital of warlike peoples. It is situated on a plateau three sides of which rise nearly perpendicularly 1,000 feet above the river Roummel. It is connected on the fourth side with the mainland by an isthmus. Its old name was Cirta. In A.D. 313 this was changed to Constantine. War raged perpetually around its precipitous cliffs. Interest begins (to me) in it with King Narva who married the sister of Hannibal B.C. 230 - the beautiful Sophonisba who at request of her husband took poison to avoid falling into the hands of Scipio Africanus. - In B.C. 112. Jugurtha was conqueror here. Marius, Belisarius, Juba, St Cyprian are all names associated with the place. Under Mohammedan rule the city fell into decay. It made a stout defence against the French but was finally captured by General Valée in 1837. His statue stands in the city. The towering cliffs, spanned by natural arches of rock, the Roummel with its beautiful rapids and waterfals [i.e. waterfalls], the bridge threefold as to origin and architecture, Roman, Arab, and French make the place one of great interest. Even in the cemetery health seekers may find comfort in noting longevity of those buried there. A French savant gives a list of 15 tombstones recording ages from 100 to 131. The celebrated tomb of Praecilius, jeweller of Cirta bears a long inscription in which are these words. "As long as I could I passed an agreeable and holy life. I have becomingly celebrated 100 happy birthdays. But the last day came when I must throw off this mortal coil. When I was alive I made preparation for my death. Fortune which has smiled upon me never deserted me. May she accompany you through life. Here I await you. Come."

Notes: Page description supplied by cataloger, derived from captions and/or annotated information.

BPL Department: Print Department

Rights: No known restrictions.

Flickr data on 2011-08-15:

• Camera: Sinar AG Sinarback 54 FW, Sinar m
• License: CC BY 2.0
• User: Boston Public Library BPL