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Coordinates: 43°13′30″N 27°35′6″E / 43.22500°N 27.58500°E / 43.22500; 27.58500
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{{short description|Ancient Roman city in Thracia}}
{{Infobox Settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement-->
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[[File:Marcianopolis city model.jpg|thumb|300px|Marcianopolis city model (Devnya museum) and showing the location of the House of Antiope in the centre]]


'''Marcianopolis''' or '''Marcianople''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Μαρκιανούπολις) was an ancient Roman city in [[Thracia (Roman province)|Thracia]]. It was located at the site of modern day [[Devnya]], [[Bulgaria]].
'''Marcianopolis''' or '''Marcianople''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Μαρκιανούπολις), also known as '''Parthenopolis''' was an ancient Greek, then Roman capital city and archbishopric in [[Moesia Inferior]]. It is located at the site of modern-day [[Devnya]], [[Bulgaria]]. The ancient city has been partially excavated and is renowned for its museum collection of ancient mosaic floors from villas in the city.


==History==
==History==
[[File:GothicInvasions250-251-en.svg|thumb|Gothic Invasions 250-251]]
[[File:Devnya-mosaics-museum-gorgon-medusa-1.jpg|right|thumb|A mosaic featuring an image of the [[gorgon]] [[Medusa]] in Devnya's Mosaics Museum]]
[[Roman Emperor]] [[Trajan]] renamed the ancient city of Parthenopolis after the [[Trajan's Dacian Wars|Second Dacian War]], which ended in 106. The city was rechristened after Trajan's sister, [[Ulpia Marciana]].<ref>[[Ammianus Marcellinus]], XXVII, 2</ref> An important strategic centre, the city was part of Roman [[Thrace]] until 187-193, and then belonged to Moesia inferior. Marcianopolis's prosperity under the [[Severan Dynasty]] was ended by a [[Goths|Gothic]] raid in 248-249 and subsequent barbarian invasions from the north. The Romans repulsed another Gothic attack to this town in [[267]] (or [[268]]), during the reign of [[Gallienus]].<ref>[[Historia Augusta]], ''Claudius'', 9; [[Zosimus]], I, 42</ref>


[[Roman Emperor]] [[Trajan]] renamed the ancient city of ''Parthenopolis'' after the [[Trajan's Dacian Wars|Second Dacian War]], which ended in 106. The city was renamed after Trajan's sister, [[Ulpia Marciana]].<ref>[[Ammianus Marcellinus]], XXVII, 4, 12</ref> An important strategic centre, the city was part of Roman [[Thrace]] until 187&ndash;193, and then belonged to [[Moesia]] inferior.
Under Emperor [[Diocletian]] Marcianopolis became the centre of the province [[Moesia Secunda]] of the Diocese of Thrace, and was rebuilt thoroughly in the late 3rd and early 4th century. It grew in importance at the expense of neighbouring Odessos (Varna) in the 4th century. The city was an important episcopal centre and a basilica from the period was excavated in the 20th century. During Emperor [[Valens]]' conflict with the Goths (366-369), Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city of Thrace according to a source from the period.<ref>Amm. Marcell., XXVII, 5; [[Theophanes the Confessor]] ''Chronographia'', A. M. 5859, 5860, 5861</ref>


Marcianopolis's prosperity under the [[Severan Dynasty]] was ended by a [[Goths|Gothic]] raid in 248&ndash;249 and subsequent barbarian invasions from the north. The Romans repulsed another Gothic attack to this town in 267 (or 268), during the reign of [[Gallienus]].<ref>[[Historia Augusta]], ''Claudius'', 9; [[Zosimus (historian)|Zosimus]], I, 42</ref>
Emperor [[Justinian I]] restored and fortified it. In 587, it was sacked by the king of the [[Eurasian Avars|Avars]] but at once retaken by the Romans.<ref>Theophanes the Confessor, "Chronographia" A. M. 6079</ref> The Roman army quartered there in 596 before crossing the Danube to assault the Avars.<ref>op. cit., A. M. 6088</ref> Despite the regular barbarian attacks, Marcianopolis remained an important centre until an Avar raid finally destroyed it in 614-615, although it still continued to be mentioned on maps until much later.


Under Emperor [[Diocletian]] Marcianopolis became the centre of the province [[Moesia Secunda]] of the Diocese of Thrace, and was rebuilt thoroughly in the late 3rd and early 4th century. It grew in importance at the expense of neighbouring Odessos (Varna) in the 4th century. The city was an important episcopal centre and a basilica from the period was excavated in the 20th century. During Emperor [[Valens]]' [[Gothic War (376–382)|conflict with the Goths]] (366&ndash;369), Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city of Thrace according to a source from the period.<ref>Amm. Marcell., XXVII, 5; [[Theophanes the Confessor]] ''Chronographia'', A. M. 5859, 5860, 5861</ref>
As the [[Slavs]] settled in the [[Balkans]] in the 7th century, they called the ruins of the ancient city ''Devina''. At present, the remains of Roman city include the [[amphitheatre]] and many exquisite mosaics. The Mosaic Museum features some mosaics ''in situ''.<ref>http://liternet.bg/publish10/aangelov/mozaikite.htm</ref>

In 447, it was destroyed by the [[Huns]] under [[Attila]], immediately after the bloody [[battle of the Utus|battle of the Utus river]].<ref>[[Edward Arthur Thompson|Thompson, E. A.]]; [[Peter Heather|Heather, Peter]]. ''The Huns'', Blackwell, 1999. pp. 101–102. {{ISBN|0-631-21443-7}}.</ref>

Emperor [[Justinian I]] restored and fortified it. In 587, it was sacked by the [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]] but at once retaken by the Byzantines.<ref>Theophanes the Confessor, "Chronographia" A. M. 6079</ref> The Byzantine army was quartered there in 596 before crossing the Danube to assault the Avars.<ref>Theophanes the Confessor, "Chronographia", A. M. 6088</ref> Despite the regular barbarian attacks, Marcianopolis remained an important centre until an Avar raid finally destroyed it in 614&ndash;615, although it still continued to be mentioned on maps until much later.

As the [[Slavs]] settled in the [[Balkans]] in the 7th century, they called the ruins of the ancient city ''Devina''.

==Sights==
[[File:Main Street Marcianopolis.jpg|thumb|300px|Main street of the city]]
[[File:Devnya-mosaics-museum-gorgon-medusa-1.jpg|right|thumb|A mosaic featuring an image of the [[gorgon]] [[Medusa]] in Devnya's [[Museum of Mosaics, Devnya|Museum of Mosaics]]]]

Remains of the Roman city include the [[amphitheatre]], some streets and many exquisite mosaics of the House of Antiope, a Roman villa of the late 3rd or early 4th century AD which are exhibited in the [[Museum of Mosaics, Devnya|Museum of Mosaics]], some ''in situ''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://liternet.bg/publish10/aangelov/mozaikite.htm|title=Анастас Ангелов - Музеят на мозайките в Девня}}</ref>

{{main|Museum of Mosaics, Devnya}}


==References==
==References==
{{Ibid|date=July 2010}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://scotvscapitis.blogspot.com/2006/12/severus-alexander-julia-maesa.html 3rd century CE Marcianopolis coinage]


{{Coord|43|13|30|N|27|35|6|E|type:city_region:BG|display=title}}
{{Coord|43|13|30|N|27|35|6|E|type:city_region:BG|display=title}}


[[Category:Roman towns and cities in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Roman towns and cities in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Geography of Varna Province]]

[[Category:Former populated places in Bulgaria]]
[[bg:Марцианопол]]
[[Category:Moesia Inferior]]
[[de:Marcianopolis]]
[[fr:Dorothée de Marcianopolis]]
[[it:Marcianopoli]]

Latest revision as of 10:33, 30 July 2022

Marcianopolis
Μαρκιανούπολις
Location of Marcianopolis in modern-day Bulgaria
Marcianopolis is located in Bulgaria
Marcianopolis
Shown within Bulgaria
LocationBulgaria
RegionVarna Province
Coordinates43°13′30″N 27°35′06″E / 43.225°N 27.585°E / 43.225; 27.585
Marcianopolis city model (Devnya museum) and showing the location of the House of Antiope in the centre

Marcianopolis or Marcianople (Greek: Μαρκιανούπολις), also known as Parthenopolis was an ancient Greek, then Roman capital city and archbishopric in Moesia Inferior. It is located at the site of modern-day Devnya, Bulgaria. The ancient city has been partially excavated and is renowned for its museum collection of ancient mosaic floors from villas in the city.

History

[edit]
Gothic Invasions 250-251

Roman Emperor Trajan renamed the ancient city of Parthenopolis after the Second Dacian War, which ended in 106. The city was renamed after Trajan's sister, Ulpia Marciana.[1] An important strategic centre, the city was part of Roman Thrace until 187–193, and then belonged to Moesia inferior.

Marcianopolis's prosperity under the Severan Dynasty was ended by a Gothic raid in 248–249 and subsequent barbarian invasions from the north. The Romans repulsed another Gothic attack to this town in 267 (or 268), during the reign of Gallienus.[2]

Under Emperor Diocletian Marcianopolis became the centre of the province Moesia Secunda of the Diocese of Thrace, and was rebuilt thoroughly in the late 3rd and early 4th century. It grew in importance at the expense of neighbouring Odessos (Varna) in the 4th century. The city was an important episcopal centre and a basilica from the period was excavated in the 20th century. During Emperor Valens' conflict with the Goths (366–369), Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city of Thrace according to a source from the period.[3]

In 447, it was destroyed by the Huns under Attila, immediately after the bloody battle of the Utus river.[4]

Emperor Justinian I restored and fortified it. In 587, it was sacked by the Avars but at once retaken by the Byzantines.[5] The Byzantine army was quartered there in 596 before crossing the Danube to assault the Avars.[6] Despite the regular barbarian attacks, Marcianopolis remained an important centre until an Avar raid finally destroyed it in 614–615, although it still continued to be mentioned on maps until much later.

As the Slavs settled in the Balkans in the 7th century, they called the ruins of the ancient city Devina.

Sights

[edit]
Main street of the city
A mosaic featuring an image of the gorgon Medusa in Devnya's Museum of Mosaics

Remains of the Roman city include the amphitheatre, some streets and many exquisite mosaics of the House of Antiope, a Roman villa of the late 3rd or early 4th century AD which are exhibited in the Museum of Mosaics, some in situ.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ammianus Marcellinus, XXVII, 4, 12
  2. ^ Historia Augusta, Claudius, 9; Zosimus, I, 42
  3. ^ Amm. Marcell., XXVII, 5; Theophanes the Confessor Chronographia, A. M. 5859, 5860, 5861
  4. ^ Thompson, E. A.; Heather, Peter. The Huns, Blackwell, 1999. pp. 101–102. ISBN 0-631-21443-7.
  5. ^ Theophanes the Confessor, "Chronographia" A. M. 6079
  6. ^ Theophanes the Confessor, "Chronographia", A. M. 6088
  7. ^ "Анастас Ангелов - Музеят на мозайките в Девня".

43°13′30″N 27°35′6″E / 43.22500°N 27.58500°E / 43.22500; 27.58500