Altava
Altava was an ancient Roman-Berber city in present-day Algeria. It served as the capital of the ancient Berber Kingdom of Altava. During the French presence, the town was called Lamoriciere. It was situated in the modern Ouled Mimoun near Tlemcen.History
Altava was located in western Mauretania Caesariensis on the Roman road from strategic Theveste to Numerus Syrorum. Altava was a city populated mainly by Berbers under Septimius Severus, with a small Roman garrison. The garrison -according to historian M. Ruiu- was the Cohors II Sardorum and protected the new lines of the Roman empire moved south from the Mediterranean shores to a military road called Nova Praetentura. This road went from Rapidum in Numidia to Altava and Numerus Syrorum at the border of Mauretania Tingitana.
Altava, according to historian Lawless, was a vicus that achieved independent status from the castrum-fort of the garrison and had a huge Forum and an important pagan temple, later converted into a Christian church lasted until its conquest by the Arabs around 700 AD.
