Which Tunisian gulf was known in antiquity as Syrtis Minor or Lesser Syrtis?

The Tunisian gulf known in antiquity as Syrtis Minor, or Lesser Syrtis, is the Gulf of Gabès.

The gulf lies on Tunisia’s east coast, opening onto the Mediterranean between the area around Sfax and the island of Djerba. Its modern name comes from Gabès, the important city and port at the head of the gulf. The region is known for unusually large Mediterranean tides, with spring-tide ranges reaching about 2.1 metres.

Ancient Greek and Roman writers used names meaning “small” or “lesser” Syrtis for this gulf. The name distinguished it from Syrtis Major, the ancient name for Libya’s Gulf of Sidra. Strabo also associated the area with Tacape, the ancient settlement corresponding to modern Gabès.

A common mix-up is to choose the Gulf of Sidra because it is also connected with the ancient Syrtis names. The key distinction is that Syrtis Minor refers to Tunisia’s Gulf of Gabès, while Syrtis Major refers to Libya’s Gulf of Sidra.