Naissus
Naissus, known today as Niš, is an ancient city located in the region of Moesia in Serbia, situated along the Nišava River near its confluence with the Morava. Established by the Romans in the 1st century AD, Naissus rose to prominence due to its strategic location on the Via Militaris, a key military and trade route. Originally inhabited by the Thracian Dardanians, the city was incorporated into the Roman Empire and became the capital of Upper Moesia around the 2nd century AD. Notably, Naissus is recognized as the birthplace of Emperor Constantine the Great, who enriched the city during his reign and established it as an episcopal see.
Throughout history, Naissus witnessed significant events, including a Roman victory over the Goths and the meeting of emperors Valentinian I and Valens, highlighting its military and political importance. The city suffered destruction by the Huns in 441 but was later partially restored. Today, archaeological remains, such as the imperial palace at Mediana, early Christian churches, and parts of the ancient city wall, reflect its rich historical legacy and cultural significance. Naissus continues to be a vital site for understanding the Roman and early Christian periods in the Balkans.
Naissus
(Niš)
A city in Moesia (Serbia, Yugoslavia) on the river Nišava, nine miles from its junction with the Margus (Morava), a southern tributary of the Danube. The name of the place was Thracian, and its pre-Roman inhabitants belonged to the Thracian tribe of the Dardanians. First occupied by Roman troops in 75–72 BC, Naissus later became part of the province of Moesia and then the capital of Upper Moesia (cAD 85/6), deriving strategic importance from its position as a center where five roads met. It became a municipium under Marcus Aurelius (161–80) or later, and was the scene of a decisive Roman victory over the Goths in the last year of the reign of Gallienus (268); although later historians claimed that the victor was instead his successor Claudius II Gothicus, because they wanted to do Claudius honor as the alleged ancestor of Constantine I the Great.
Constantine was born at Naissus (c 285), which subsequently became part of the province of Dardania (and then of Dacia Mediterranea); he frequently returned to the city during his reign (306–37), enriching it (according to the Anonymus Valesianus) with splendid buildings and adding an additional palace quarter (Mediana) three miles outside the walls. The city also became an episcopal see.
Constantine's sons stayed in Naissus, and as Julian (the Apostate) prepared to attack one of them, Constantius II, in 361, it was there that he established his headquarters. In 365 Valentinian I and Valens met at the Mediana palace to share out their generals between the western and eastern empires. Constantius III, joint emperor of the west in 421, was born at Naissus. During this later imperial epoch it contained important arms factories. In 441 it was destroyed by the Huns, but later partially restored.
Portions of the imperial residence at Mediana, with mosaic floors, are now excavated, and in another suburb (Jagodin Mahala), four early Christian churches have been uncovered. A bathing establishment and part of the city wall can also be seen.