Romania

Ratiaria

Roman colonia and Danube river port, NW Bulgaria

Location

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Historical Context

About

Ratiaria (or: Ratsaria, Raetiaria, Retiaria, Reciaria, Razaria; Bulgarian: Рациария; Greek: Ραζαρία μητρόπολις;) was a city founded by the Moesians, a Daco-Thracian tribe, in the 4th century BC, along the river Danube. In Roman times it was named Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria. It is located 2 km west of the present village of Archar in Vidin Province, northwestern Bulgaria and 3 km east of the present Balta Neagră Natural Reserve in southern Romania. The closest modern cities are Vidin (27 km to the north west), Lom (28 km to the east) in Bulgaria and Calafat (41 km to the north) in Romania. An archaeological museum for the site has recently been established in Dimovo.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Founding by Moesians

4th century BCE

Battle under Marcus Licinius Crassus

29 BC

Tiberius builds road

33/34 AD

Roman intervention by Curio

75 BC

Moesia divided

86 AD

Conquest of Dacia and castrum change

101–106 AD

Colonia established

107 AD

Aurelian abandons Dacia

271 AD

Dacia provinces reorganised

285 AD

Christian centre and bishopric

4th century

Prosperous in the 5th century

5th century

Hunnic sack

440 or 441

Avar sack

586 AD

Modern excavations begin

1958

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

FortressesDefensive Walls
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Military Installations

Barracks
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Public and Civic Structures

Administrative Buildings
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Industrial and Craft Structures

Mines
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Religious and Ritual Structures

Churches
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Artistic and Decorative Features

Mosaics
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

CitiesTowns
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Transportation and Communication Structures

RoadsQuays
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Romania

Coordinates

43.82° N, 22.91° E