Dinogetia

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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.

Dinogetia Walls Drawing

Dinogetia roman walls; also a secondary stronghold gate

Dinogetia grain Storage

Tower

Public Baths

tower

The Dinogetia site is situated in Dobrudja at 8 km east of Galati, Romania.

1 Roman and Byzantine Period
2 Middle Age period
- 2.1 Gold Artefacts
- 2.2 Wall paintings traces
3 References and Archeologists

[edit] Roman and Byzantine Period

The Geto-Dacian settlement was conquered by the Romans and transformed into a boundary fortress. The site was mentioned by Ptolemy. Located in the center of an arch made by the Danube around Macin, Galati 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 (Galati 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 second 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.

During the attack of the Kotrigurs under Zabergan's command the stonghold was burnt. Then, after a period of rebuilding during the Severan period, in the IIIrd 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.

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 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 IVth 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 milites 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 VIIth 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 XIIth century, when Dinogetia was gradually deserted and finally abandoned perhaps in 1186.