GIGTHI, a Roman city of north Africa, near the west coast of the Little Syrtis (Gulf of Gabes). It lies about 20 m. N.E. of the modern Medenine. The ruins are considerable, especially those of the forum, surrounded on three sides by Corinthian porticos; here were the Capitolium, Curia and basilica, and various temples. The thermae and a market have also been cleared. To the north west is the island of Djerba, identified with the land of the lotus eaters. In Roman times it was joined to the mainland by a cause way, the remains of which are still visible. Mount Souk, the chief village, on the north coast of the island (pop. 7,50o) is a centre of the sponge fishery. The Spaniards intervened in Djerba in 1510 and after 1535, and made it their base of operations against Tripoli in 1560. They were defeated and the Spanish garrison on the island was exterminated.
See Mondricourt, L'expedition espagnole de 156o contre file de Djerba (Paris, 1914) .