Castrul de la Slăveni

The Roman fort at Slăveni, whose ancient name is unknown, was intended to protect the city of Romula, the capital of the Roman province of Dacia Inferi, also known as Dacia Malvensis.

Following attacks by the Carpi between 245 and 247, Emperor Philip the Arab decided to rebuild the fort in 248, as part of efforts to strengthen the defenses in the area.

This military camp is located in the center of the current village of Slăveni, near the place known as "Cetate", but is currently covered by modern constructions. Archaeologists D. Tudor, Gh. Popilian and O. Toropu, who conducted research between 1960 and 1985, identified three stages of development of this fort.

The first phase of construction consisted of a rectangular fort measuring 169 x 190 meters, which would have been surrounded by a wooden wall, known as a palisade, and was built during the reign of Trajan. Inside the fortification were the main streets, the central building (principia) and six military barracks. Among the auxiliary troops known to have been stationed here are the Ala Hispanorum and Ala Claudia Gallorum, as well as the cohort I Flavia Commagenorum. Also, stamps discovered on building materials indicate the presence of the legions XIII Gemina, V Macedonica and XI Claudia pia fidelis.

In the second phase, the fort was rebuilt in stone, maintaining the same shape and size as in the previous phase. The new structure was surrounded by three defensive ditches. The gate towers were rectangular in shape and slightly projecting outwards, while the corner towers were trapezoidal. The main building measured 37 x 43 metres. Two other identified structures are a storehouse (horreum), located on the left side of the fort (latus sinistrum), and a rectangular building on the right side (latus dextrum). Traces of six military barracks have been discovered in the area of ​​the praetorium. The stone fort was built in 205 AD, or at least the main gate (porta praetoria) dates from that year. According to inscriptions and archaeological materials, the garrison was the cohorta I Hispanorum. The third phase corresponds to a period of repairs, carried out during the reign of Emperor Philip the Arab.

The castrum was destroyed in the first half of the 3rd century AD, most likely during the attacks of 247 AD, as indicated by a hoard of coins discovered in the area. A civilian settlement developed near the citadel, where Roman baths and a sanctuary dedicated to the cult of Mithra (Mithraeum) have been identified.

Sursa: ro.wikipedia.org