Histria (Sinoe)

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Ancient towns and colonies in Dobruja (modern coastline shown)

Ancient Histria was situated near the modern Romanian commune of Istria, on the Dobruja coast of the Black Sea. The ancient seashore has since become the shore of Sinoe Lake.

Histria was initially a Meletian polis (πολις, city), the first Greek colony on the west coast of the Black Sea. As such, it is the oldest town on Romanian territory. It was first mentioned in writing by Eusebius of Caesarea, who dated its founding to 657-656 B.C, at the time of the 33rd Olympic Games, and by Skymnos of Chios, the Greek geographer and poet, who dated it to 630 B.C. The earliest documented currency on Romanian territory was an 8-gram silver drachma, issued in Histria in the year 480 BC.

Around the turn of the millennium, Histria became a Roman town. Altogether, it was in continuous existence for some 14 centuries, starting with the Greek period up to the Roman-Byzantine period. During the 7th century A.D., the fortress was destroyed by the invasions of the Avars and the Slavs.

The ruins of the settlement were first identified in 1868 by French archaeologist Ernest Desjardins. Archaeological excavations were started by Vasile Pârvan in 1914, and continued after his death in 1927 by teams of archaeologists led successively by Scarlat and Marcelle Lambrino (1928–1943), Emil Condurachi (1949 –1970), Dionisie Pippidi, Petre Alexandrescu, and Alexandru Suceveanu.

Archeological research in Histria managed to identify and classify several layers on site. The layer stratification can be divided primarily between the Archaic and Classical periods:

[edit] Archaic layers

Archaic layers I - III ( 7th - 6th centuries B.C )

The archaic Greek city covered around 60 ha. There are very few written references to the archaic city and archeological research provides the main historical resource. The main deity was Apollo Ietros (The Healer). Zeus (Gr. Polieus) was the protector deity of the city and Aphrodita was also confirmed by archeological research.

The Apollo sculpture's inscription

Historians believe all six Miletian tribes (Gr. pylai) were represented in the colony, yet only four tribes are attested to: the Aigikoreis, Argadeis, Boreis and Geleontes. The only clue concerning the government of the city was given by Aristotle in Politica. Thanks to his comment it is clear that the first government of Histria was an oligarchy. From an economic point of view, the town was developed around port-related activities.

Archaic layer I 630-600 B.C

Around 600 B.C Histria suffered its first destruction.

Archaic layer II 600-550 B.C

A new wall is erected, most probably due to another destruction of the city.

Archaic layer III 550-500 B.C

Another destruction of the city has taken place, most probably in 512 BC, when Darius I undertook a war against the Scythians. ^[1].Herodotus

[edit] Classical layers

[edit] Hellenistic

Classical layers I - II ( 5th - 4th centuries B.C )

During the Classical period there was continuity in the cults of Apollo Ietros; Zeus (Gr. Polieus) and Aphrodita. A new wall with a single tower was erected. During the classical period many written sources describe the political organisation of the area. The Odrysian kingdom was involved in fighting with the Scythians ruled by Ariapeithes and Histria was situated between the two kingdoms. Due to that, most probably, Histria town was forced to join the Delian League. In the 5th century BC these colonies were under the influence of the Delian League, passing in this period from oligarchy to democracy^[2].Politica From an economic point of view it was during this era that the first Histrian coins were minted: a didrachma, oboli and bronze coins.

Classical layer I 500-425 B.C

The town was regressing in the period of Athens's Peloponnesian Wars.

Classical layer II 425-350 B.C

The town was dismantled for a second time in the classical period, in the 4th century B.C, during the war between the Scythian king Ateas and Macedonian king Filip II (As recorded in the Trogus Pompeius History)

Hellenistic layers I - IV ( 4th - 1st centuries B.C )

Remains of the grand deity temple

During the Hellenistic period there was continuity in the cult of Apollo Ietros, Zeus (Gr. Polieus) and Aphrodita. A new temple for a grand deity was built. There is also evidence of the cult of Athena, Poseidon, Helikonios, Taurios, Demetra, Hermes Agoraios, Heracles, Asclepios, Dioscurii and others. A new wall also appears, protecting a 10 ha area. During the Hellenistic period Histria had become an important supplier of grain for Greece. (Demosthenes, Contra Leptinem, 466, 31: the grain supply from Pont is larger than all other ports.) But the economic power of Histria was represented by trade. (Polybios, 4,38,4: With respect to goods for living, the Pontic region supplies cattle and slaves, in large numbers and of a proven quality. With respect to luxury goods, they supply us with honey, wax and salted fish. In exchange they receive from our regions the commodities of oil and all kinds of wines. With grain we trade, when in need they supply us, at other times we supply them.) In the Hellenistic period the gymnasium and the theater were erected.

Hellenistic layer I 350-300 B.C

The town was once again destroyed around 339 B.C. Between 313-309 a rebellion of the Pontic towns took place.Diodor King Antigonus I Monophthalmus of Miletus however awarded Histrians equal political rights, so called isopolitia.

Hellenistic layer II 300-175 B.C

The most probable destruction of the city, which occurred around 175 B.C, was produced by Bastarni passing through, when they were requested by the Macedonian king to reinforce the army, during Philip V and Perseus's rule. Around 260 B.C Byzantium was involved in a dispute with Histria and Callatis over Tomis emporion.

Hellenistic layer III 175-100 B.C

Mithridates has installed a military garrison in Histria, which probably caused the third destruction of the city in the Hellenistic period. During the rule of Mithridates staters are minted in Histria.

Detail of the Therme I building

Hellenistic layer IV 100-20 B.C

Burebista arrive in Dobruja. The Hellenistic period is ended by Marcus Antonius who was in charge of the eastern Roman government, and who was defeated by Octavian at Actium.

[edit] Roman

Early Roman layers I-III ( 30 A.D - 250 A.D )

Early Roman layer IA 30-100 A.D

Continuity of the Hellenistic period. A new building for Therme was built. This period is considered by historians (thanks to two inscribed artefacts) as the second founding of the city.

Early Roman layer IB 100-170 A.D

Around 170 A.D a part of the town was destroyed.

Early Roman layer IC 170-250 A.D

The town suffered serious destruction from which it never recovered. The main theory is that it was destroyed by a Gothic invasion. Another theory presumes that the town was destroyed in an earthquake.

A Roman sundial

Late Roman layers IIA ( After 250 A.D )
- Late Roman layer IIB
- Late Roman layer IIIA
- Late Roman layer IIIB
- Late Roman layer IVA
- Late Roman layer IVB
- Late Roman layer VA
- Late Roman layer VB

The Histria Museum, founded in 1982, exhibits some of the finds. The excavation project and site features prominently in the film The Ister (official site here).