Church and Fortress. Religious Buildings within Fortifications in Byzantine North Africa

This article examines the multifunctional roles of churches within Byzantine military fortifications in North Africa, a topic previously underexplored. By analysing sites such as Thamugadi, Dougga, and Ammaedara, the study identifies the roles of churches as centres for the garrison’s service, storage for military standards, and spaces for diplomatic meetings. Fortified churches also provided refuge for local populations and possibly housed monastic communities. The research highlights the overlap between military and civilian spaces in the 6th and 7th centuries, emphasizing the need for further archaeological investigation to fully understand these multifunctional structures.