Dinogetia
Encyclopedia
Dinogetia was an ancient Getae-Dacian settlement and later Roman fortress located on the left bank of the Danube
near the place where it joins the Siret
. The Dinogetia site is situated in Dobrudja at 8 kilometres east of Galați
, Romania
.
. Located in the center of an arch made by the Danube around Macin, Galați
and Gura Prutului, the Roman fortress of Dinogetia-Garvãn had initially been a castellum
(a small fortress), having its role in the defensive system on the Lower Danube. Some other important Roman fortresses at the time, were those from Barbosi (Galați County) and Troesmis
(Tulcea County). Having had a great importance in Constantine the Great's time, the fortress was reinforced since Diocletian. In Anastasius' and Justinian's time some structures were added to the stronghold. But, by the end of the 2nd century AD, when the great barbarian invasions had begun, Dinogetia increased its importance, especially after the abandon by the Romans of the Dacian province. Its strategic position in the north-western corner of Dobrudja, gave the fortress an important role in the defensive system of the province.
After a period of rebuilding during the Severan period, in the 3rd century Dinogetia was again a target for the barbarian invaders. After the abandon of Dacia, the strategic importance of the site had increased, Aurelian
, Probus
and Diocletian
thus initiating a policy of fortification of the entire Danubian limes, Dinogetia included. During the Late Antiquity Dinogetia had a key role in the defensive system of the Roman province. Anastasius
, then Justinian reinforced the fortress' walls. The attack of the Avars
/Kutrigurs
under Zabergan
's command in 559 had disastrous consequences for the stronghold.
Archaeological research has uncovered ruins of a large house, a Roman bath, a church, a basilica and a graveyard outside the wall. These ruins had been heavily damaged by a feudal site built over the Roman one.
The Diocletian constructed wall (ca. 3 m wide) has fourteen horseshoe-shaped towers .
From the Later Roman Empire
there are registered at Dinogetia bricks stamped with the mark of legio I Iovia Scythica and the presence of Gothic
federates as well. Also, the 4th century witnessed the building of "the house of the commander" (domus), as well as the baths, the last perhaps built even earlier, according to the last archaeological finds. Also, the written sources, such as Notitia Dignitatum, certify some milities Scythici (NDOr, XXXIX, 24), thus a confirmation of the archaeological evidence. In the ecclesiastical sources there are registered Christian martyrs dated in the reign of Licinius, especially from the army, thus certifying the Christianization of the area. Other army units that were stationed at Dinogetia include: Legio V Macedonica, Cohors I Cilicum, Cohors II Mattiacorum, cl. Fl. Moesica (2d c.), Legio I Iovia (4th c.)
The fortress had been inhabited until the end of the VIth or the beginning of the 7th century when, in the context of Phokas' rebellion, the entire limes of Lower Danube had collapsed under the pressure of Slav tribes. In this context, Dinogetia also was abandoned as a military strongpoint.
The fortress was rebuilt and became the siege of a Byzantine garrison after the successful campaigns of the emperor Ioannes Tzimiskes (969-976) against the Kievian Russians, when Dobrudja was again incorporated to the Empire. The presence of Byzantine
troops is certified until the 12th century, when Dinogetia was gradually deserted and finally abandoned perhaps in 1186.
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
near the place where it joins the Siret
Siret River
The Siret or Sireth is a river that rises from the Carpathians in the Northern Bukovina region of Ukraine, and flows southward into Romania for 470 km before it joins the Danube...
. The Dinogetia site is situated in Dobrudja at 8 kilometres east of Galați
Galati
Galați is a city and municipality in Romania, the capital of Galați County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, in the close vicinity of Brăila, Galați is the largest port and sea port on the Danube River and the second largest Romanian port....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
.
Roman and Byzantine Period
The Geto-Dacian settlement was conquered by the Romans and transformed into a boundary fortress. The site was mentioned by PtolemyPtolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
. Located in the center of an arch made by the Danube around Macin, Galați
Galati
Galați is a city and municipality in Romania, the capital of Galați County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, in the close vicinity of Brăila, Galați is the largest port and sea port on the Danube River and the second largest Romanian port....
and Gura Prutului, the Roman fortress of Dinogetia-Garvãn had initially been a castellum
Castellum
A castellum is a small Roman detached fort or fortlet used as a watch tower or signal station. The Latin word castellum is a diminutive of castra , which in turn is the plural of castrum ; it is the source of the English word "castle".The term castellum was also used to refer to a settling or...
(a small fortress), having its role in the defensive system on the Lower Danube. Some other important Roman fortresses at the time, were those from Barbosi (Galați County) and Troesmis
Troesmis
Troesmis was an ancient town in Scythia Minor. It was situated in what is now Romania near Igliţa-Turcoaia.Between 107 and 161, it was the home of the Roman Legio V Macedonica. Notitia Dignitatum shows that during 337-361, it was the headquarters of Legio II Herculia.-Destruction of the site:The...
(Tulcea County). Having had a great importance in Constantine the Great's time, the fortress was reinforced since Diocletian. In Anastasius' and Justinian's time some structures were added to the stronghold. But, by the end of the 2nd century AD, when the great barbarian invasions had begun, Dinogetia increased its importance, especially after the abandon by the Romans of the Dacian province. Its strategic position in the north-western corner of Dobrudja, gave the fortress an important role in the defensive system of the province.
After a period of rebuilding during the Severan period, in the 3rd century Dinogetia was again a target for the barbarian invaders. After the abandon of Dacia, the strategic importance of the site had increased, Aurelian
Aurelian
Aurelian , was Roman Emperor from 270 to 275. During his reign, he defeated the Alamanni after a devastating war. He also defeated the Goths, Vandals, Juthungi, Sarmatians, and Carpi. Aurelian restored the Empire's eastern provinces after his conquest of the Palmyrene Empire in 273. The following...
, Probus
Probus
Probus , was Roman Emperor from 276 to 282. During his reign, the Rhine and Danube frontier was strengthened after successful wars against several Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Alamanni, Longiones, Franks, Burgundians, and Vandals...
and Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
thus initiating a policy of fortification of the entire Danubian limes, Dinogetia included. During the Late Antiquity Dinogetia had a key role in the defensive system of the Roman province. Anastasius
Anastasius
Anastasius is derived from the Greek ἀνάστασις meaning "resurrection". Its female form is Anastasia.-Byzantine emperors:*Anastasius I – Byzantine emperor 491–518*Anastasios II – Byzantine emperor 713–715...
, then Justinian reinforced the fortress' walls. The attack of the Avars
Eurasian Avars
The Eurasian Avars or Ancient Avars were a highly organized nomadic confederacy of mixed origins. They were ruled by a khagan, who was surrounded by a tight-knit entourage of nomad warriors, an organization characteristic of Turko-Mongol groups...
/Kutrigurs
Kutrigurs
The Kutrigurs , first mentioned in 539/540, were a horde of equestrian nomads later known as part of the Bulgars that inhabited the Eurasian plains during the Dark Ages. They came into existence when the Eurasian Avars conquered half of the Hunno-Bulgars, whilst the remaining group, who were free ...
under Zabergan
Zabergan
Zabergan, Samur Khan, or Sam-Or Khan was a Kutrigur Khan, associated with the Eurasian Avars. Either under orders, or in revolt from them, he led the Kutrigur Bulgar Huns in attacks against Justinian I's northern frontier in 559...
's command in 559 had disastrous consequences for the stronghold.
Archaeological research has uncovered ruins of a large house, a Roman bath, a church, a basilica and a graveyard outside the wall. These ruins had been heavily damaged by a feudal site built over the Roman one.
The Diocletian constructed wall (ca. 3 m wide) has fourteen horseshoe-shaped towers .
- Buildings located on the Dinogetia Site:
- praetorium
- the ruins of a large house
- 4 c basilica
- 4 c ruins of a Roman bath
- 9 C church
- Stamped Bricks
From the Later Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
there are registered at Dinogetia bricks stamped with the mark of legio I Iovia Scythica and the presence of Gothic
Goths
The Goths were an East Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin whose two branches, the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths, played an important role in the fall of the Roman Empire and the emergence of Medieval Europe....
federates as well. Also, the 4th century witnessed the building of "the house of the commander" (domus), as well as the baths, the last perhaps built even earlier, according to the last archaeological finds. Also, the written sources, such as Notitia Dignitatum, certify some milities Scythici (NDOr, XXXIX, 24), thus a confirmation of the archaeological evidence. In the ecclesiastical sources there are registered Christian martyrs dated in the reign of Licinius, especially from the army, thus certifying the Christianization of the area. Other army units that were stationed at Dinogetia include: Legio V Macedonica, Cohors I Cilicum, Cohors II Mattiacorum, cl. Fl. Moesica (2d c.), Legio I Iovia (4th c.)
The fortress had been inhabited until the end of the VIth or the beginning of the 7th century when, in the context of Phokas' rebellion, the entire limes of Lower Danube had collapsed under the pressure of Slav tribes. In this context, Dinogetia also was abandoned as a military strongpoint.
The fortress was rebuilt and became the siege of a Byzantine garrison after the successful campaigns of the emperor Ioannes Tzimiskes (969-976) against the Kievian Russians, when Dobrudja was again incorporated to the Empire. The presence of Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
troops is certified until the 12th century, when Dinogetia was gradually deserted and finally abandoned perhaps in 1186.