Volubilis, North African archaeological site, located near Fès in the Jebel Zerhoun Plain ofMorocco. Under the Mauretanian kingJuba II in the 1st centurybc and the 1st centuryad, Volubilis became a flourishing centre of late Hellenisticculture. Annexed to Rome aboutad 44, it was made amunicipium (acommunity that exercised partial rights of Roman citizenship) as a reward for supporting Rome during the revolt of Aedmon, and it became the chief inland city of the Roman province ofMauretania Tingitana. Ancient Volubilis and its hinterland were deserted about 285, whenDiocletian reorganized Mauretania Tingitana. Known to the Arabs as Oulili, Walīla, or Walīlī, it became the capital ofIdrīs I (founder of the Idrīsid dynasty) after 788.

Roman ruins on the site are extensive; among the most noteworthy are a forum, a 2nd-centuryadbasilica, and the Arch ofCaracalla (ad 217).