Novae (ancient city)
Novae was an ancient Roman city located at the southernmost point of the Danube in Moesia, present-day northern Bulgaria. Believed to be founded around AD 30 near an ancient Thracian site, it gained prominence as a legionary headquarters during the reign of Emperor Claudius and maintained military significance until the end of the Roman Empire. The city thrived as a vital port and trading hub, benefiting from its strategic location along the Via Danubiana and serving as a terminal for several major roads. Novae developed into a municipium under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, facilitating trade with western provinces.
Throughout its history, Novae faced several invasions, including attacks by the Goths and later the Visigoths, which led to periods of destruction and subsequent rebuilding. The city became an episcopal see in the fifth century and is notable for being one of the most intensively studied Roman camp towns in eastern Europe. Archaeological excavations have uncovered significant structures, including a rectangular stone fortress and several Christian basilicas, highlighting its rich cultural and economic past. The site remains an important area for ongoing research and exploration into Roman military and civilian life.
Novae (ancient city)
(Stǎklen)
A fortified city at the southernmost point of the Danube, in Moesia (now northern Bulgaria). Perhaps founded cAD 30—near an ancient Thracian site—and taking its name from the tributary stream Noas or Novas (Noes), it became the headquarters of a legion in the time of Claudius (45) and then of another (replacing it in 69), retaining this garrison until the end of the empire. When Moesia was divided by Domitian (81–96), Novae belonged to the Lower province. Situated on a great riverside thoroughfare (the Via Danubiana) and forming the terminal of roads from eastern and western Thrace, it was also a port of the Danube fleet; in 101 Trajan, during his first war against Dacia (Rumania), probably disembarked there after moving down the river with a naval force. A civilian settlement developed round the fortress, and under Marcus Aurelius (161–80) Novae became a municipium. It imported abundant pottery from the western provinces, and reexported a considerable amount to central Europe.
In 251 the Goths under Kniva stormed the city, but were driven off by Trebonianus Gallus, governor of the two Moesias, who owed his subsequent call to the purple (after the death in battle of the emperor Trajanus Decius) to this success. Archaeological evidence points to destruction during the first civil war between Constantine I the Great and Licinius (c 316). Impressive economic and cultural recovery followed, but violent attacks were again experienced in 376/8—this time at the hands of the Visigoths—and the early fifth century once more provides evidence of devastation. After Attila the Hun had invaded the Danubian cities of Moesia Secunda (to which Novae now belonged), a peace treaty was concluded in 448 by which the south bank of the river as far as Singidunum (Belgrade) should be left as an uninhabited border region. In the early 470s Theoderic the Ostrogoth, when he led his people from their Pannonian homes to Lower Moesia, seems, according to the Anonymus Valesianus, to have established his residence at Novae. During the fifth century it became an episcopal see.
Novae may be the most intensively studied Roman camp town in eastern Europe. Excavations during the past decade have revealed much of the legionary base. A rectangular stone fortress is of early second-century date. Comprehensive rebuilding took place under the dynasty of Septimius Severus (193–211), and after the damage inflicted in 251 the city's perimeter was enlarged. Following the further disaster of c 316, in which the principia (military administrative headquarters) were demolished, the original stronghold was not revived, although the civilian settlement entered on a new lease on life, protected by reinforced defences, of which large sections are now cleared. Christian basilicas of the fifth and sixth centuries have also come to light. Recent reports record the discovery of an important peristyle structure, of uncertain significance, outside the walls.