Formerly called Thagaste or Tagilt, the city of Souk Ahras, founded during the Numidian period (202 BC and 46 BC), is a wilaya located in eastern Algeria (100 kilometers from Annaba). Saint Augustine was born in this city, Thagaste, on November 13, 354, and the olive tree that bears his name is a place of pilgrimage for all of Christendom and men of culture. The wilaya of Souk Ahras boasts several natural, historical, and archaeological tourist sites dating back to the Numidian and Roman periods, including: Saint Augustine's Olive Tree: the olive tree under which, in the evening, the philosopher and theologian, father of the Christian church, Saint Augustine, contemplated the starry sky of Thagaste – Tagilt in the company of his mother, Saint Monica. Madaura (Madauros): birthplace of Apuleius of Madaura ( Afulay ), author of the first novel in human history, "The Golden Ass," famous for its university, one of the first in the world along with that of Carthage. Today, partially excavated, the ancient city of Madaura contains roads, houses, several olive presses, a forum, a theater, a Byzantine fortress, etc. Thaoura (Tagora): ruins of an ancient Berber city and a Byzantine citadel whose remains of walls and watchtowers are still visible. Khemissa (Thubursicu Numidarum): ruins of a Berber-Roman city, birthplace of the Berber revolutionary and warrior Tacfarinas, visitors to Khemissa will find important ruins including houses, cisterns, baths, forums, temples and one of the most important nymphaeums in the Roman world, a well-preserved theatre, etc…