Thuburbo Majus - Palaestra of the Petronii

The Palaestra of the Petronii in Thuburbo Majus, with a square courtyard surrounded by a Corinthian portico, was built in 225 at the expense of Petronius Felix and his sons. Part of the architrave, decorated with palmette and flower ornament, has been preserved. Letters carved in the paving at the south corner of the courtyard represent the "board" for the popular Roman game of the "36 letters". Here too was found a relief of three dancing Maenads which is now in the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.

Adjoining the Palaestra is the Temple of Aesculapius, the god of healing and protector of all places where sports were practiced.