Novae - History and Archaeology

History and Archaeology

Roman military presence in the Lower Danubian region started in the middle of the 1st century AD. Around AD 45 legio VIII Augusta, which took part in the quench of the Thracian uprising, founded its castra, probably at the place where the Danube has its southernmost bend. At that time the self-governed province of Moesia was created. During the time of the Principate legio with its detachments controlled the section from the mouth of the Osum River (Asamus) up to the mouth of the Yantra River, near Iatrus. After the death of Nero the dislocation of many legions within the Empire resulted in replacement of legio VIII Augusta by legio I Italica, which stayed in Novae at least to the 30’s of the 5th century. During the Claudio-Neronian and Flavian periods the fortress was built from dried brick and wood – such building phases were confirmed in the headquarters (principia), defensive walls and the officers’ houses at scamna tribunorum. In AD 86 the province was divided and Novae, together with Durostorum, became one of two legionary bases within the borders of Moesia Inferior. During the Dacian wars of Domitian (85-89) Novae was not destroyed significantly, which may indicate that the main operations took place in the western and eastern part of the province. Much more significant change took place during the campaigns of Trajan, when the old constructions of wood and dried brick were replaced by stone. Apart from the new defensive walls, the monumental building of headquarters (principia) with the new Trajanic basilica, and the new building of a hospital (valetudinarium) was built at the place of the former Flavian baths (thermae). It is possible that during the Antonine period the legio controlled the area beyond the Yantra River. The most prosperous times for Novae, as well as for the province, were the reigns of Severan dynasty. The splendid building of villa built west of the legionary defensive walls, within the area of the canabae, could have been a legate's residence. In AD 250 Novae was attacked by the Goths of Kniva. In the second half of the 3rd century Novae was systematically attacked and destroyed by Barbarians. The eastern line of the new defensive walls enclosed the additional area of more than 10 hectares, possibly creating a refuge for the civilians. From the 4th century onwards when the legion were divided into detachments occupying small forts and fortlets, civil buildings constitute the main part of internal buildings of Novae. The canabae and the legionary base become one, late Roman urban complex. The new streets with pavements were built from the secondary-used stone, often bearing inscriptions. One of the villae situated at the place of the former hospital has been excavated. Many glass workshops were established, both in the town, as well as in its surroundings. The existence of the villa was probably ended by the Gothic invasions in 376-378. The new settlement was very poor, using dried brick constructions. After the Hunnic invasion in 441, Novae was left by the legion. In the late 5th and 6th centuries Novae was a bishopric. The cathedral and neighbouring buildings were built west of the former legionary headquarters. The last period of prosperity was during the reign of Justinian (527-565) when the defensive walls were rebuilt and reinforced, but the attacks of Slavs and Avars eventually end the existence of the ancient town. In 9th – 11th centuries the church and a cemetery existed in the western part of the town. Novae is supposed to be the home of the saint named LUPUS (saint in Greek and Romanian traditions).