Prelude to the Dacian-Roman Wars

# Prelude to the Dacian-Roman Wars In the context of external policies, the great Dacian king Burebista, architect of a vast political union of the Geto-Dacians, was interested in halting the advance of the Roman Empire in the Balkans. His image is found even in Rome. He intervened in the civil w...

# Prelude to the Dacian-Roman Wars In the context of external policies, the great Dacian king Burebista, architect of a vast political union of the Geto-Dacians, was interested in halting the advance of the Roman Empire in the Balkans. His image is found even in Rome. He intervened in the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, a war fought for control of the Roman Empire. He decided to support Pompey, but after Pompey's defeat, it became clear that Dacia's independence was threatened by Rome's new ruler. Consequently, Burebista focused on internal issues among the tribes. These preparations were in vain, as both Caesar and Burebista were assassinated. # Dacian-Roman Wars Ancient sources mention Burebista's foreign policy and conflicts with the Roman Empire in 101-102 and 105-106, battles that took place at Tapae. Another conflict occurred between 85 and 89, when a Roman campaign failed, but they won at Tapae during the following year. Decebal became a client king, receiving resources in exchange for peace and border security. The treaty of 89 provided time for preparations, but wars in 101-102 and 105-106 followed. After becoming emperor, Trajan stopped paying the Dacians and prepared to conquer Dacia. On March 25, 101, Trajan left Rome for Dacia, and Roman troops crossed the Danube, defeating the Dacians at Tapae. In 102, the Romans continued their advance, capturing Decebal's sister in Sarmizegetusa. Decebal requested peace, but this was a temporary respite for both sides. By the treaty of 102, Decebal was required to surrender his arms and destroy his fortifications, but he did not comply. Trajan constructed a bridge at Drobeta, and the second war began in 105. After a valiant resistance, Sarmizegetusa fell, and Decebal committed suicide to avoid capture. # Southern Danubian Provinces Roman citizens in the former Dacia province retreated to lands south of the Danube. This territory was first organized administratively as a single province, named Dacia Aureliana, and subsequently divided in 395 AD into two provinces: Dacia Ripensis (capital at Ratiaria) and Dacia Mediterranea (capital at Serdica). In the northern Dacia province, the remaining Roman population and native Dacians, or those who had returned from exile, organized into rural communities (communes).