Mons

The site at El-Ksar had been known to European colonizers, antiquarians, and archaeologists since at least the mid-19th century, and was identified with the "Monte" attested in the Peutinger map from this early time, primarily on the topographic basis of the route between Sitifis and Cuicul, which is heavily constrained by mountainous topography. Earlier work also provides confusing accounts of associated modern names for the site and surrounding physical features.

Epigraphic evidence of the settlement's name res publica Mopth(ensium) was not discovered and published until 1949 (Galand, pages 56-58), whence Fentress in BAtlas 31 D4 Mopth(i?) (see also BAtlDir page 487), whence Pleiades P305110. Galand addresses the topography, historiography, and what he considers to be the correct and erroneous toponyms, arguing ultimately that the testimony of the Peutinger map should be understood in one or more of the following ways:

• scribal error for the settlement's real ancient name in the compilation or copying of the map or its sources;
• an ancient "romanizing" behavior, detectable elsewhere in north Africa, whereby a Latin word or phrase that sounds similar (or that evokes a topographic feature) is substituted for an indigenous toponym; and/or
• the occurrence of multiple ancient places with similar indigenous names (also detectable elsewhere in north Africa), which implies the TP is correct in not conflating its "Monte" with its "Mopti Municipium".

Other ancient testimony in which the adjective Montensis is used may support the view that an ancient "Mons" in this area was a real place (see RE Mons for references).