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Coordinates: 42°23′28.9″N 27°17′20.5″E / 42.391361°N 27.289028°E / 42.391361; 27.289028
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m The city's name changed from Develton, to Deultum, to Develtos as per the article; I've already put alternate names in notes
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{{Short description|Ancient city in Bulgaria}}
{{Infobox ancient site
{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Develtos
| name = Develtos
| native_name = Δεβελτός {{el icon}}
| native_name = Деултум
| alternate_name =
| alternate_name =
| image = [[Image:Област_Бургас_-_Община_Средец_-_с._Дебелт_-_Античният_Деултум_-_(26).jpg|300px]]
| image = [[Image:Област_Бургас_-_Община_Средец_-_с._Дебелт_-_Античният_Деултум_-_(26).jpg|300px]]
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| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_size =
| map_size =
| relief =
| relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|42|23|28.9|N|27|17|20.5|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|42|23|28.9|N|27|17|20.5|E|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Debelt]], [[Burgas Province]], [[Bulgaria]]
| location = [[Debelt]], [[Burgas Province]], [[Bulgaria]]
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| type = Settlement
| type = Settlement
}}
}}

'''Develtos'''{{refn|Also known as Debeltos, Debeltus, Debeltum, Develtum, Develtus, Dibaltum, and Deultum|group=nb}} ({{lang-el|Δεβελτός}}, Δηβελτός, Δεουελτòς, Διβηλτóς) was an ancient city and bishopric in [[Thrace]]. It was located at the mouth of the [[Sredetska|River Sredetska]] on the west coast of [[Lake Mandrensko]], previously part of the [[Gulf of Burgas]], and near the modern village of [[Debelt]].
'''Develtos''' ({{langx|bg|Деултум}}, {{langx|el|Δεβελτός}}, Δηβελτός, Δεουελτός, Δεούελτος, Διβηλτóς) or '''Deultum''' {{refn|Also known as Debeltos, Debeltus, Debeltum, Develtum, Develtus, Dibaltum, and Deultum|group=nb}} was an ancient city and bishopric in [[Thrace]]. It was located at the mouth of the river [[Sredetska reka]] on the west coast of [[Lake Mandrensko]], previously part of the [[Gulf of Burgas]], and near the modern village of [[Debelt]].


==History==
==History==
===Classical period===
===Classical period===
[[File:Debelt (Дебелт) - ruins of Deultum 3.JPG|thumb|Hypocaust in Deultum]]
[[File:Debelt (Дебелт) - ruins of Deultum 3.JPG|thumb|Hypocaust in Deultum]]

Develton ([[Thracian language|Thracian]]: ''Debelton'', "two-swamp area") was founded as an ''[[Emporium (antiquity)|emporium]]'' of [[Sozopol|Apollonia Pontica]] in the 7th century BC.<ref name="Boer">Boer (2002), pp. 131-133</ref> From the 6th century to the 4th century BC, the settlement served as an important place of trade between Thracians and Greeks.<ref>Hind (1992), p. 85</ref>
Develton ([[Thracian language|Thracian]]: ''Debelton'', "two-swamp area") was founded as an ''[[Emporium (antiquity)|emporium]]'' of [[Sozopol|Apollonia Pontica]] in the 7th century BC.<ref name="Boer">Boer (2002), pp. 131-133</ref> From the 6th century to the 4th century BC, the settlement served as an important place of trade between Thracians and Greeks.<ref>Hind (1992), p. 85</ref>


Develton was annexed to the Roman Empire in 46 AD and became part of the [[Thracia|province of Thrace]].<ref>Ruscu (2007), p. 214</ref> The construction of a ''[[Colonia (Roman)|colonia]]'' for veterans of the [[Legio VIII Augusta|VIII ''Augusta'']] [[Roman legion|legion]] at Develton was likely planned prior to 69 AD, but was delayed due to the eruption of [[Year of the Four Emperors|civil war of 69 AD]]<ref name="Campbell">Campbell (2006), p. 218</ref> and construction started the next year. The veterans may have been settled at Develton due to its proximity to the neighbouring region of [[Moesia]], where VIII ''Augusta'' was formerly based.<ref name="Campbell" /> The location was also chosen for a veterans colony as the veterans had the appropriate training necessary for the drainage of local marshland, therefore allowing the area to be developed and exploited.<ref>Richmond (1945), p. 23</ref> The ''colonia'' was thus built during the reign of Emperor [[Vespasian]], and was named Colonia Flavia Pacis Deultensium,<ref name="Boer"/> or Colonia Flavia Pancensis Deultum.<ref>Sayles (1998), p. 31</ref> The inclusion of "peace" (''Pacis'') in the title of the colony probably referred to the conclusion of the civil war.<ref name="Campbell" /> The city had an extensive territory, as testified by inscriptions in [[Panchevo, Burgas Province|Panchevo]] and Sladki Kladenci near [[Burgas]].<ref name="TIB">Soustal (1992), pp. 234–235</ref>
Develton was annexed to the Roman Empire in 46 AD and became part of the [[Thracia|province of Thrace]].<ref>Ruscu (2007), p. 214</ref> The construction of a ''[[Colonia (Roman)|colonia]]'' for veterans of the [[Legio VIII Augusta|VIII ''Augusta'']] [[Roman legion|legion]] at Develton was likely planned prior to 69 AD, but was delayed due to the eruption of [[Year of the Four Emperors|civil war of 69 AD]].<ref name="Campbell">Campbell (2006), p. 218</ref> The veterans may have been settled at Develton due to its proximity to the neighbouring region of [[Moesia]], where VIII ''Augusta'' was formerly based.<ref name="Campbell" /> The location was also chosen for a veterans colony as the veterans had the appropriate training necessary for the drainage of local marshland, therefore allowing the area to be developed and exploited.<ref>Richmond (1945), p. 23</ref> The ''colonia'' was thus built during the reign of Emperor [[Vespasian]], and was named Colonia Flavia Pacis Deultensium,<ref name="Boer"/> or Colonia Flavia Pancensis Deultum.<ref>Sayles (1998), p. 31</ref> The inclusion of "peace" (''Pacis'') in the title of the colony probably referred to the conclusion of the civil war.<ref name="Campbell" /> The city had an extensive territory, as testified by inscriptions in [[Panchevo, Burgas Province|Panchevo]] and Sladki Kladenci near [[Burgas]].<ref name="TIB">Soustal (1992), pp. 234–235</ref>


[[File:Bronze-Alexander_Severus-Deultum_AE25_Moushmov_3583.jpg|right|thumb|A bronze coin of [[Severus Alexander]] minted at Deultum]]
[[File:Bronze-Alexander_Severus-Deultum_AE25_Moushmov_3583.jpg|right|thumb|A bronze coin of [[Severus Alexander]] minted at Deultum]]
[[Pliny the Elder]] makes reference to the city in his ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Naturalis Historia]]''.<ref>Birley (1986), p. 210</ref> In 82 AD, the population of Deultum petitioned [[Titus Avidius Quietus]] to become a patron of the city.<ref>Birley (1981), p. 85</ref> Commemorative bronze coins were minted by Emperor [[Trajan]] to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Deultum.<ref name="Dikov">Dikov (2015)</ref> Between 130 and 150 AD, the city suffered serious damage from barbarian attacks.<ref name="Dikov"/>
[[Pliny the Elder]] makes reference to the city in his ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Naturalis Historia]]''.<ref>Birley (1986), p. 210</ref> In 82 AD, the population of Deultum petitioned [[Titus Avidius Quietus]] to become a patron of the city.<ref>Birley (1981), p. 85</ref> Commemorative bronze coins were minted by Emperor [[Trajan]] to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Deultum.<ref name="Dikov">Dikov (2015)</ref> Between 130 and 150 AD, the city suffered serious damage from barbarian attacks.<ref name="Dikov"/>


By the end of the 2nd century and the beginning of the 3rd century, Deultum had an area of approximately 62 acres and there were temples dedicated to [[Asclepius]] and [[Cybele]].<ref name="Dikov"/> A mint was active at Deultum from the reign of [[Caracalla]] to that of Emperor [[Philip the Arab]].<ref name="Bredow"/> The city is mentioned in the ''[[Antonine Itinerary]]'', composed in the early 3rd century.<ref name="Boeft">Boeft et al. (2017), p. 150</ref> Following his ascension to the throne, Emperor Philip the Arab travelled through Deultum in 244 en route from [[Circesium]] to [[Rome]], and ''[[Adventus (ceremony)|adventus]]'' coins were minted to celebrate his presence.<ref>Peachin (1991), p. 340</ref>
By the end of the 2nd century and the beginning of the 3rd century, Deultum had an area of approximately 62 acres (0.25 sq km) and there were temples dedicated to [[Asclepius]] and [[Cybele]].<ref name="Dikov"/> A mint was active at Deultum from the reign of [[Caracalla]] to that of Emperor [[Philip the Arab]].<ref name="Bredow"/> The city is mentioned in the ''[[Antonine Itinerary]]'', composed in the early 3rd century.<ref name="Boeft">Boeft et al. (2017), p. 150</ref> Following his ascension to the throne, Emperor Philip the Arab travelled through Deultum in 244 en route from [[Circesium]] to [[Rome]], and ''[[Adventus (ceremony)|adventus]]'' coins were minted to celebrate his presence.<ref>Peachin (1991), p. 340</ref>


Deultum was sacked by [[Goths]] in the second half of the 3rd century and was rebuilt shortly after.<ref name="Dikov"/> The city later became part of the province of [[Haemimontus]],<ref name="Boeft"/> and Emperor [[Diocletian]] travelled through Deultum in 294 whilst en route from [[Sirmium]] to [[Nicomedia]].<ref>Connolly (2010), p. 51</ref> Legions [[Legio I Flavia Pacis|I ''Flavia Pacis'']], [[Legio II Flavia Pacatiana|II ''Flavia Pacatiana'']], and [[Legio III Flavia Pacis|III ''Flavia Pacis'']] may have been levied at Deultum and its environs by Diocletian or Emperor [[Constantius II]].<ref>DuBois (2015), p. 79</ref> During the [[Gothic War (376–382)|Gothic War of 376–382]], a Roman army was [[Battle of Dibaltum|defeated]] by a [[Goths|Gothic]] raiding party outside Deultum,<ref>Wolfram (1990), p. 123</ref> and the city was sacked.<ref name="Dikov"/> Deultum was later rebuilt on a smaller scale, and, in the second half of the 5th century, new walls were constructed and all unprotected buildings were demolished to ensure hostile forces did not use them as cover.<ref name="Dikov"/> However, the walls were destroyed by [[Slavs]] and [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]] at the end of the 6th century.<ref name="Dikov"/>
Deultum was sacked by [[Goths]] in the second half of the 3rd century and was rebuilt shortly after.<ref name="Dikov"/> The city later became part of the province of [[Haemimontus]],<ref name="Boeft"/> and Emperor [[Diocletian]] travelled through Deultum in 294 whilst en route from [[Sirmium]] to [[Nicomedia]].<ref>Connolly (2010), p. 51</ref> Legions [[Legio I Flavia Pacis|I ''Flavia Pacis'']], [[Legio II Flavia Pacatiana|II ''Flavia Pacatiana'']], and [[Legio III Flavia Pacis|III ''Flavia Pacis'']] may have been levied at Deultum and its environs by Diocletian or Emperor [[Constantius II]].<ref>DuBois (2015), p. 79</ref>
At the [[Battle of Dibaltum|Battle of Deultum]] in the summer of 377 during the [[Gothic War (376–382)|Gothic War of 376–382]] an [[Eastern Roman Empire|Eastern Roman]] army was defeated by a [[Goths|Gothic]] raiding party outside Deultum,<ref>Wolfram (1990), p. 123</ref> and the city was sacked.<ref name="Dikov"/> Deultum was later rebuilt on a smaller scale, and, in the second half of the 5th century, new walls were constructed and all unprotected buildings were demolished to ensure hostile forces did not use them as cover.<ref name="Dikov"/> However, the walls were destroyed by [[Slavs]] and [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]] at the end of the 6th century.<ref name="Dikov"/>


===Medieval period===
===Medieval period===
Develtos lay on the border with [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgaria]] after the [[Byzantine–Bulgarian Treaty of 716|Treaty of 716]] between Emperor [[Theodosius III]] and Khan [[Tervel of Bulgaria|Tervel]],<ref name="Bredow">Bredow (2006)</ref> and became a significant defensive post in the war with the Bulgarians.<ref name="Browning" /> As a consequence of the treaty, the city was situated at the edge of a depopulated [[no man's land]] known as [[Zagore|Zagoria]] ("beyond the [[Balkan Mountains|[Haemus] mountains]]") to the Bulgarians.<ref name="TIB"/> The office of ''[[kommerkiarios|kommerkia]]'' of Develtos is first attested in the 8th century.<ref>Sophoulis (2011), pp. 48-49</ref> Zagoria was retaken by Emperor [[Constantine V]] in 756,<ref>Madgearu (2016), p. 82</ref> and thus, by the early 9th century, the city had become part of a chain of military bases in northern Thrace which helped confine the Bulgarians to the north of the Haemus Mountains.<ref>Sophoulis (2011), p. 186</ref>
Develtos lay on the border with [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgaria]] after the [[Byzantine–Bulgarian Treaty of 716|Treaty of 716]] between Emperor [[Theodosius III]] and Khan [[Tervel of Bulgaria|Tervel]],<ref name="Bredow">Bredow (2006)</ref> and became a significant defensive post in the war with the Bulgarians.<ref name="Browning" /> As a consequence of the treaty, the city was situated at the edge of a depopulated [[no man's land]] known as [[Zagore (region)|Zagoria]] ("beyond the [[Balkan Mountains|[Haemus] mountains]]") to the Bulgarians.<ref name="TIB"/> The office of ''[[kommerkiarios|kommerkia]]'' of Develtos is first attested in the 8th century.<ref>Sophoulis (2011), pp. 48-49</ref> Zagoria was retaken by Emperor [[Constantine V]] in 756,<ref>Madgearu (2016), p. 82</ref> and thus, by the early 9th century, the city had become part of a chain of military bases in northern Thrace which helped confine the Bulgarians to the north of the Haemus Mountains.<ref>Sophoulis (2011), p. 186</ref>


In May 812, Khan [[Krum]] [[Siege of Debeltos|besieged]] Develtos and in June the city surrendered.<ref>Sophoulis (2011), p. 222</ref> Siphons used to shoot [[Greek fire]], an incendiary naval weapon, were looted when the city was taken.<ref>Treadgold (1988), p. 185</ref> Krum subsequently destroyed Develtos and its fortifications, and forcibly relocated the city's population to Bulgarian territory.<ref name="TIB"/><ref>Fine (1991), p. 98</ref> The depopulation of Develtos suggests Krum did not initially plan to permanently occupy the territory.<ref name="Treadgold205">Treadgold (1988), p. 205</ref> However, Krum later repopulated Develtos with Bulgarians,<ref name="Dikov"/> and annexed the city to a new province administered by his brother in 814.<ref name="Treadgold205"/> The province was subdivided into two districts, one on either side of the [[Tundzha|River Tonzos]], and Develtos was administered as part of the left side by the ''[[boyar#Boyars in Bulgaria|boyar]]'' Irataïs and his subordinates the ''[[strategos#Byzantine use|strategoi]]'' Cordyles and Gregoras.<ref name="Treadgold205"/> Emperor [[Leo V the Armenian|Leo V]]'s victory over Khan [[Omurtag of Bulgaria|Omurtag]] in April 816 near [[Nesebar|Mesembria]] led to the negotiation and ratification of a [[Byzantine–Bulgarian Treaty of 815|treaty]] in September, which returned the city to Roman control.<ref>Treadgold (1988), pp. 216-217</ref>
In May 812, Khan [[Krum]] [[Siege of Debeltos|besieged]] Develtos and in June the city surrendered.<ref>Sophoulis (2011), p. 222</ref> Siphons used to shoot [[Greek fire]], an incendiary naval weapon, were looted when the city was taken.<ref>Treadgold (1988), p. 185</ref> Krum subsequently destroyed Develtos and its fortifications, and forcibly relocated the city's population to Bulgarian territory.<ref name="TIB"/><ref>Fine (1991), p. 98</ref> The depopulation of Develtos suggests Krum did not initially plan to permanently occupy the territory.<ref name="Treadgold205">Treadgold (1988), p. 205</ref> However, Krum later repopulated Develtos with Bulgarians,<ref name="Dikov"/> and annexed the city to a new province administered by his brother in 814.<ref name="Treadgold205"/> The province was subdivided into two districts, one on either side of the [[Tundzha|River Tonzos]], and Develtos was administered as part of the left side by the ''[[boyar#Boyars in Bulgaria|boyar]]'' Irataïs and his subordinates the ''[[strategos#Byzantine use|strategoi]]'' Cordyles and Gregoras.<ref name="Treadgold205"/> Emperor [[Leo V the Armenian|Leo V]]'s victory over Khan [[Omurtag of Bulgaria|Omurtag]] in April 816 near [[Nesebar|Mesembria]] led to the negotiation and ratification of a [[Byzantine–Bulgarian Treaty of 815|treaty]] in September, which returned the city to Roman control.<ref>Treadgold (1988), pp. 216-217</ref>


As per the Treaty of 816, the [[:bg:Еркесия|Great Fence]] {{bg icon}}, a fortified earthwork palisade, was constructed by Bulgaria northwest of Develtos to mark the border between the two states.<ref>Hupchick (2017), p. 114</ref> Following Bulgarian raids into Thrace in 853, the city was ceded by Empress [[Theodora (wife of Theophilos)|Theodora]] to Khan [[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]],<ref>Hendy (1985), pp. 82-83</ref> by which time Develtos was still partially ruined.<ref>Hupchick (2017), p. 131</ref> Boris I restored the city to the Roman Empire,<ref>Hupchick (2017), p. 136</ref> and may have been [[Christianization of Bulgaria|baptised at the city]], in 864.<ref name="Dikov"/> An embassy sent by [[Pope Nicholas I]] to Emperor [[Michael III]] in 866 was prevented from entering the empire and was forced to wait 40 days at Develtos, after which the embassy abandoned its task and travelled to [[Pliska]].<ref name="McCormick">McCormick (2001), pp. 143-144</ref> The embassy was tasked with informing the emperor of the pope's condemnation of Patriarch [[Photios I of Constantinople]], and consisted of Donatus, [[Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia|Bishop of Ostia]], the deacon [[Pope Marinus I|Marinus]], and the priest Leo.<ref name="McCormick" />
As per the Treaty of 816, the [[:bg:Еркесия|Great Fence]] {{in lang|bg}}, a fortified earthwork palisade, was constructed by Bulgaria northwest of Develtos to mark the border between the two states.<ref>Hupchick (2017), p. 114</ref> Following Bulgarian raids into Thrace in 853, the city was ceded by Empress [[Theodora (wife of Theophilos)|Theodora]] to Khan [[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]],<ref>Hendy (1985), pp. 82-83</ref> by which time Develtos was still partially ruined.<ref>Hupchick (2017), p. 131</ref> Boris I restored the city to the Roman Empire,<ref>Hupchick (2017), p. 136</ref> and may have been [[Christianization of Bulgaria|baptised at the city]], in 864.<ref name="Dikov"/> An embassy sent by [[Pope Nicholas I]] to Emperor [[Michael III]] in 866 was prevented from entering the empire and was forced to wait 40 days at Develtos, after which the embassy abandoned its task and travelled to [[Pliska]].<ref name="McCormick">McCormick (2001), pp. 143-144</ref> The embassy was tasked with informing the emperor of the pope's condemnation of Patriarch [[Photios I of Constantinople]], and consisted of Donatus, [[Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia|Bishop of Ostia]], the deacon [[Pope Marinus I|Marinus]], and the priest Leo.<ref name="McCormick" />


Develtos was ceded to Tsar [[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] in the [[Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 894–896#Aftermath|Treaty of 896]], and designated as the site where the annual tribute to the Bulgarians was to be delivered.<ref name="TIB"/> Simeon I launched his campaign against Constantinople by way of Develtos in the summer of 913, thus beginning the [[Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 913–927|War of 913-927]].<ref>Runciman (1988), pp. 82-83</ref> As per the stipulations of the Treaty of 927, Tsar [[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]] relinquished control of the city to Emperor [[Romanos I Lekapenos]], and Develtos became part of the [[Theme (Byzantine district)|theme]] of [[Thrace (theme)|Thrace]].<ref>Runciman (1988), pp. 97-98</ref>
Develtos was ceded to Tsar [[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] in the [[Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 894–896#Aftermath|Treaty of 896]], and designated as the site where the annual tribute to the Bulgarians was to be delivered.<ref name="TIB"/> Simeon I launched his campaign against Constantinople by way of Develtos in the summer of 913, thus beginning the [[Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 913–927|War of 913-927]].<ref>Runciman (1988), pp. 82-83</ref> As per the stipulations of the Treaty of 927, Tsar [[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]] relinquished control of the city to Emperor [[Romanos I Lekapenos]], and Develtos became part of the [[Theme (Byzantine district)|theme]] of [[Thrace (theme)|Thrace]].<ref>Runciman (1988), pp. 97-98</ref>


In 1087, Develtos was transferred to the newly created theme of [[Pomorie|Anchialos]] by Emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos]].<ref>Madgearu (2013), p. 85</ref> The city was the temporary refuge of Emperor [[Alexios III Angelos]] in mid-July 1203 after he had fled [[Constantinople]] when faced with the arrival of the [[Fourth Crusade]].<ref name="Garland">Garland (2002), p. 221</ref> Develtos was conquered by the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]] after the [[Battle of Adrianople (1205)|Battle of Adrianople]] in 1205,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://la-bulgarie.fr/deultum |title=Deultum, Bulgaria|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Bulgarie: Le Guide}} {{fr icon}}</ref> but was recovered by [[Michael Glabas Tarchaneiotes]] in 1263.<ref name="TIB"/> The city declined and was depopulated in the 14th century, either due to Turkish attacks, or due to the sedimentation of its lagoon.<ref name="TIB"/> Develtos was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1396.<ref name="Browning">Browning (1991)</ref>
In 1087, Develtos was transferred to the newly created theme of [[Pomorie|Anchialos]] by Emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos]].<ref>Madgearu (2013), p. 85</ref> The city was the temporary refuge of Emperor [[Alexios III Angelos]] in mid-July 1203 after he had fled [[Constantinople]] when faced with the arrival of the [[Fourth Crusade]].<ref name="Garland">Garland (2002), p. 221</ref> Develtos was conquered by the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]] after the [[Battle of Adrianople (1205)|Battle of Adrianople]] in 1205,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://la-bulgarie.fr/deultum |title=Deultum, Bulgaria|author=<!--Not stated--> |website= Bulgarie: Le Guide|language=fr}}</ref> but was recovered by [[Michael Glabas Tarchaneiotes]] in 1263.<ref name="TIB"/> The city declined and was depopulated in the 14th century, either due to Turkish attacks, or due to the sedimentation of its lagoon.<ref name="TIB"/> Develtos was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1396.<ref name="Browning">Browning (1991)</ref>


==Ecclesiastical history==
==Ecclesiastical history==
[[File:Deultum 033.jpg|thumb|Ruins of Deultum]]
The diocese of Develtos was established in the 2nd century AD,<ref>Dumanov (2015), p. 93</ref> and Bishop Aelius Publius Julius is attested towards the end of the century.<ref name="TIB"/> His condemnation of [[Montanism]] suggests that montanists were present in the area in the 170s,<ref>Tabbernee (2007), p. 24</ref> and Julius likely attended a synod at [[Hierapolis]] in [[Phrygia]] to combat the heresy.<ref>Tabbernee (2007), p. 23</ref> The title of bishop was of Develtos and Sozopolis until the latter became a diocese in its own right potentially in the 5th century.<ref name="Janin">Janin (1960), coll. 141-142</ref>
The diocese of Develtos was established in the 2nd century AD,<ref>Dumanov (2015), p. 93</ref> and Bishop Aelius Publius Julius is attested towards the end of the century.<ref name="TIB"/> His condemnation of [[Montanism]] suggests that montanists were present in the area in the 170s,<ref>Tabbernee (2007), p. 24</ref> and Julius likely attended a synod at [[Hierapolis]] in [[Phrygia]] to combat the heresy.<ref>Tabbernee (2007), p. 23</ref> The title of bishop was of Develtos and Sozopolis until the latter became a diocese in its own right potentially in the 5th century.<ref name="Janin">Janin (1960), coll. 141-142</ref>


Athanasius, Bishop of Develtos and [[Sozopol]]is, attended the [[Council of Ephesus]] in 431,<ref name="TIB"/> and initially supported the teachings of [[Nestorius]], Patriarch of Constantinople, but later adopted the orthodox position as declared at the council.<ref name="Janin"/> Jovian or Jovinus attended the Synod of Constantinople in 448 and the [[Council of Chalcedon]] in 451.<ref name="Janin"/> He also signed a letter alongside other bishops of Haemimontus to Emperor [[Leo I the Thracian]] in 457 to protest the murder of Saint [[Proterius of Alexandria]].<ref name="Janin"/> A bishop of Develtos is recorded at the Synod of Constantinople of 459.<ref name="TIB"/>
Athanasius, Bishop of Develtos and [[Sozopol]]is, attended the [[Council of Ephesus]] in 431,<ref name="TIB"/> and initially supported the teachings of [[Nestorius]], Patriarch of Constantinople, but later adopted the orthodox position as declared at the council.<ref name="Janin"/> Jovian or Jovinus attended the Synod of Constantinople in 448 and the [[Council of Chalcedon]] in 451.<ref name="Janin"/> He also signed a letter alongside other bishops of Haemimontus to Emperor [[Leo I the Thracian]] in 457 to protest the murder of Saint [[Proterius of Alexandria]].<ref name="Janin"/> A bishop of Develtos is recorded at the Synod of Constantinople of 459.<ref name="TIB"/>


Bishop Eustratius attended the [[Second Council of Nicaea]] in 787.<ref name="TIB"/> Saint [[Martyrs of Adrianople|George]], Archbishop of Develtos, was amongst those deported after the city's surrender to Krum in 812 and was tortured to death by Khan Omurtag in 815 with roughly 380 other martyrs who refused to renounce their faith.<ref>Treadgold (1988), pp. 214-215</ref> The see was vacant in 869,<ref>Hendy (1985), pp. 83-84</ref> but Bishop Symeon attended the [[Fourth Council of Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox)|Fourth Council of Constantinople]] in 879.<ref name="TIB"/> By the second half of the 9th century, until the 12th century, the diocese of Develtos is attested as a [[suffragan]] of the Archdiocese of [[Edirne|Adrianople]].<ref name="TIB"/> Constantine, Bishop of Develtos, was active at the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.degruyter.com/view/PMBZ/PMBZ26127|title=Konstantinos|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2013|website=Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit Online}} {{de icon}}</ref>
Bishop Eustratius attended the [[Second Council of Nicaea]] in 787.<ref name="TIB"/> Saint [[Martyrs of Adrianople|George]], Archbishop of Develtos, was amongst those deported after the city's surrender to Krum in 812 and was tortured to death by Khan Omurtag in 815 with roughly 380 other martyrs who refused to renounce their faith.<ref>Treadgold (1988), pp. 214-215</ref> The see was vacant in 869,<ref>Hendy (1985), pp. 83-84</ref> but Bishop Symeon attended the [[Fourth Council of Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox)|Fourth Council of Constantinople]] in 879.<ref name="TIB"/> By the second half of the 9th century, until the 12th century, the diocese of Develtos is attested as a [[suffragan]] of the Archdiocese of [[Edirne|Adrianople]].<ref name="TIB"/> Constantine, Bishop of Develtos, was active at the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.degruyter.com/view/PMBZ/PMBZ26127|title=Konstantinos|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2013|website=Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit Online|language=de}}</ref>


Develtos was nominally revived as a [[titular bishop]]ric in 1933, and had the following incumbents:
Develtos was nominally revived as a [[titular bishop]]ric in 1933, and had the following incumbents:
Line 57: Line 61:
== Archaeological exploration ==
== Archaeological exploration ==


Excavations have been conducted since 1981 with an interruption around the turn of the century.
Excavations have been conducted since 1981 with an interruption around the turn of the century. Structures from the Roman and Byzantine periods have been explored (thermae, a temple of the imperial cult, fortifications). A museum dedicated to the site was opened next to it in 2016. The exhibits include a bronze head of [[Septimius Severus]] (from a statue damaged by fire).

Structures from the Roman and Byzantine periods have been explored
In 2020, archaeologists discovered a [[sarcophagus]] from the 2nd or 3rd century AD with a [[Greek language|Greek]] inscription which proved that Develtos was a port town.<ref>[https://bnr.bg/en/post/101281629/deultum-roman-colony-near-burgas-had-port Deultum Roman colony near Burgas had port]</ref> In 2024, an amulet believed to be the earliest Christian relic in the region was discovered there. The amulet, dating from the late 2nd to early 3rd century AD, contains the first known reference to [[Christ]] in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mark |date=2024-07-22 |title=Silver amulet contains the first mention of Christ in Bulgaria |url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/07/silver-amulet-contains-the-first-mention-of-christ-in-bulgaria/152680 |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=HeritageDaily - Archaeology News |language=en-us}}</ref>
(thermae, a temple of the imperial cult, fortifications).
A museum dedicated to the site was opened next to it in 2016.
The exhibits include a bronze head of [[Septimius Severus]] (from a statue damaged by fire).


==References==
==References==
Line 71: Line 73:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{Commons category|Deultum|Develtos}}
{{Commons category|Deultum|Develtos}}
*{{cite book|last1=Birley|first1=Eric|title=The Fasti of Roman Britain|publisher=Clarendon Press|date=1981|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book|last1=Birley|first1=Eric|title=The Fasti of Roman Britain|publisher=Clarendon Press|date=1981}}
*{{cite journal |last=Birley|first=Eric|date=1986|title= The Flavian Colony at Scupi|journal=Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik |volume=64|publisher =|issue=|pages= |doi= |jstor=20186432}}
*{{cite journal |last=Birley|first=Eric|date=1986|title= The Flavian Colony at Scupi|journal=Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik |volume=64|pages=209–216|jstor=20186432}}
*{{cite book|last1=Boeft|first1=Jan den |first2=Jan Willem |last2=Drijvers|first3=Daniël den |last3=Hengst|first4=Hans C. |last4=Teitler|title=Philological and Historical Commentary on Ammianus Marcellinus XXXI|publisher=BRILL|date=2017|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book|last1=Boeft|first1=Jan den |first2=Jan Willem |last2=Drijvers|first3=Daniël den |last3=Hengst|first4=Hans C. |last4=Teitler|title=Philological and Historical Commentary on Ammianus Marcellinus XXXI|publisher=BRILL|date=2017}}
*{{cite book |last1=Boer|first1=Jan G. de|chapter=Apollonia Pontica and its ''emporia'', ports of trade?|title=Pont-Euxin et Commerce: La Genèse de la "Route de la Soie"|publisher=Presses Universitaires de Franche-Comté|date=2002|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Boer|first1=Jan G. de|chapter=Apollonia Pontica and its ''emporia'', ports of trade?|title=Pont-Euxin et Commerce: La Genèse de la "Route de la Soie"|publisher=Presses Universitaires de Franche-Comté|date=2002}}
*{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Bredow|first1=Iris von|title=Deultum|encyclopedia=Brill’s New Pauly|publisher=|date=2006|authorlink=|url=http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-new-pauly/deultum-e316010|isbn=}}
*{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Bredow|first1=Iris von|title=Deultum|encyclopedia=Brill's New Pauly|date=2006|url=http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-new-pauly/deultum-e316010}}
*{{ODB|last=Browning|first= Robert ||date=1991|title=Develtos |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com.ezproxy01.rhul.ac.uk/view/10.1093/acref/9780195046526.001.0001/acref-9780195046526-e-1437}}
*{{ODB|last=Browning|first= Robert ||date=1991|title=Develtos |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com.ezproxy01.rhul.ac.uk/view/10.1093/acref/9780195046526.001.0001/acref-9780195046526-e-1437}}
*{{cite book |last1=Campbell|first1=Brian|title=The Roman Army, 31 BC - AD 337: A Sourcebook|publisher=Routledge|date=2006|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Campbell|first1=Brian|title=The Roman Army, 31 BC - AD 337: A Sourcebook|publisher=Routledge|date=2006}}
*{{cite book|last1=Connolly|first1=Serena|title=Lives behind the Laws: The World of the Codex Hermogenianus|publisher=Indiana University Press|date=2010 |authorlink=|url=https://books.google.com/?id=nDtKN_Dq54AC&dq=develtus|isbn=0253004128}}
*{{cite book|last1=Connolly|first1=Serena|title=Lives behind the Laws: The World of the Codex Hermogenianus|publisher=Indiana University Press|date=2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nDtKN_Dq54AC&q=develtus|isbn=978-0253004123}}
*{{cite news |last=Dikov |first=Ivan|date=15 August 2015 |title=Archaeologists Unearth Odd Early Byzantine Fortress Tower in Ancient Roman City Deultum in Bulgaria's Debelt|url= http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2015/08/15/archaeologists-unearth-complex-early-byzantine-fortress-tower-in-ancient-roman-city-deultum-in-bulgarias-debelt/|work= Archaeology in Bulgaria|location= |access-date= }}
*{{cite news |last=Dikov |first=Ivan|date=15 August 2015 |title=Archaeologists Unearth Odd Early Byzantine Fortress Tower in Ancient Roman City Deultum in Bulgaria's Debelt|url= http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2015/08/15/archaeologists-unearth-complex-early-byzantine-fortress-tower-in-ancient-roman-city-deultum-in-bulgarias-debelt/|work= Archaeology in Bulgaria}}
*{{cite book|last1=DuBois|first1=Michael S.|title=Auxillae: A Compendium of Non-Legionary Units of the Roman Empire|publisher=|date=2015|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book|last1=DuBois|first1=Michael S.|title=Auxillae: A Compendium of Non-Legionary Units of the Roman Empire|date=2015}}
*{{cite book |last1=Dumanov|first1=Boyan|chapter=Thrace in Late Antiquity|title=A Companion to Ancient Thrace|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|date=2015 |authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Dumanov|first1=Boyan|chapter=Thrace in Late Antiquity|title=A Companion to Ancient Thrace|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|date=2015 }}
* {{The Early Medieval Balkans}}
* {{cite book | first = John Van Antwerp | last = Fine | authorlink = John Van Antwerp Fine | title = The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century | publisher = University of Michigan Press | location = Ann Arbor, MI | year = 1991 | isbn = 978-0-472-08149-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C | ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Garland|first=Lynda|title=Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power in Byzantium, AD 527–1204|year=1999|isbn=978-0-415-14688-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6JY2fpMTkKwC|location=London and New York|publisher=Routledge|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Garland|first=Lynda|author-link=Lynda Garland |title=Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power in Byzantium, AD 527–1204|year=1999|isbn=978-0-415-14688-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6JY2fpMTkKwC|location=London and New York|publisher=Routledge}}
* {{cite book|last=Hendy|first=Michael F.|title=Studies in the Byzantine Monetary Economy c. 300–1450|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1985|isbn=0-521-24715-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=STZV-gc--04C|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last=Hendy|first=Michael F.|title=Studies in the Byzantine Monetary Economy c. 300–1450|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1985|isbn=0-521-24715-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=STZV-gc--04C}}
*{{cite journal |last=Hind|first=J. G. F.|date=1992|title=Archaeology of the Greeks and Barbarian Peoples around the Black Sea (1982-1992)|url=|journal=Archaeological Reports |volume=39|publisher =The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies|issue=|pages= |doi= }}
*{{cite journal |last=Hind|first=J. G. F.|date=1992|title=Archaeology of the Greeks and Barbarian Peoples around the Black Sea (1982-1992)|journal=Archaeological Reports |volume=39|publisher =The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hupchick|first1=Dennis P.|title=The Bulgarian-Byzantine Wars for Early Medieval Balkan Hegemony: Silver-Lined Skulls and Blinded Armies|publisher=Springer|date=2017|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hupchick|first1=Dennis P.|title=The Bulgarian-Byzantine Wars for Early Medieval Balkan Hegemony: Silver-Lined Skulls and Blinded Armies|publisher=Springer|date=2017}}
*{{cite book|last1=Janin|first1=Raymond|title=Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie Ecclésiastiques, ed. R. Aubert & E. Van Cauwenberch, vol. 14|publisher=|date=1960|authorlink=Raymond Janin|url=http://booksnow1.scholarsportal.info/ebooks/oca2/4/dictionnairedhis14bauduoft/dictionnairedhis14bauduoft.pdf|isbn=}}
*{{cite book|last1=Janin|first1=Raymond|title=Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie Ecclésiastiques, ed. R. Aubert & E. Van Cauwenberch, vol. 14|date=1960|author-link=Raymond Janin|url=http://booksnow1.scholarsportal.info/ebooks/oca2/4/dictionnairedhis14bauduoft/dictionnairedhis14bauduoft.pdf}}
*{{cite book |last1=Madgearu|first1=Alexandru|title=Byzantine Military Organization on the Danube, 10th-12th Centuries|publisher=BRILL|date=2013 |authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Madgearu|first1=Alexandru|title=Byzantine Military Organization on the Danube, 10th-12th Centuries|publisher=BRILL|date=2013 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Madgearu|first1=Alexandru|title=The Asanids: The Political and Military History of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1280)
*{{cite book |last1=Madgearu|first1=Alexandru|title=The Asanids: The Political and Military History of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1280)
|publisher=BRILL|date=2016|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
|publisher=BRILL|date=2016}}
*{{cite journal |last=Ostrogorsky|first=George|date=1959|title=Byzantine Cities in the Early Middle Ages |journal=Dumbarton Oaks Papers|volume=13| publisher =Dumbarton Oaks|issue=|pages=|doi= |jstor=1291128}}
*{{cite journal |last=Ostrogorsky|first=George|date=1959|title=Byzantine Cities in the Early Middle Ages |journal=Dumbarton Oaks Papers|volume=13|pages=45–66| publisher =Dumbarton Oaks|doi=10.2307/1291128|jstor=1291128}}
*{{cite book|last1=McCormick|first1=Michael|title=Origins of the European Economy: Communications and Commerce AD 300-900|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=2001|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book|last1=McCormick|first1=Michael|title=Origins of the European Economy: Communications and Commerce AD 300-900|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=2001}}
* {{cite journal |last=Peachin|first=Michael|date=1991|title=Philip's Progress: From Mesopotamia to Rome in A.D. 244|journal=Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte |volume=40|publisher =|issue=|pages= |doi= |jstor=4436200}}
* {{cite journal |last=Peachin|first=Michael|date=1991|title=Philip's Progress: From Mesopotamia to Rome in A.D. 244|journal=Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte |volume=40|issue=3|pages=331–342|jstor=4436200}}
* {{cite journal |last=Richmond|first=I. A.|date=1945|title=The Sarmatae, Bremetennacvm Veteranorvm and the Regio Bremetennacensis|journal=The Journal of Roman Studies |volume=35|publisher =|issue=|pages= |doi= |jstor=297275}}
* {{cite journal |last=Richmond|first=I. A.|date=1945|title=The Sarmatae, Bremetennacvm Veteranorvm and the Regio Bremetennacensis|journal=The Journal of Roman Studies |volume=35|pages=15–29|doi=10.2307/297275|jstor=297275|s2cid=162482151 }}
* {{cite book | last=Runciman | first=Steven | authorlink=Steven Runciman | title=The Emperor Romanus Lecapenus and His Reign: A Study of Tenth-Century Byzantium | location=Cambridge, United Kingdom | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=1988 | origyear=1929 | isbn=0-521-35722-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XHVzWN6gqxQC | ref=harv}}
* {{cite book | last=Runciman | first=Steven | author-link=Steven Runciman | title=The Emperor Romanus Lecapenus and His Reign: A Study of Tenth-Century Byzantium | location=Cambridge, United Kingdom | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=1988 | orig-year=1929 | isbn=0-521-35722-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XHVzWN6gqxQC }}
*{{cite journal |last=Ruscu|first=Ligia Cristina|date=2007|title=On Nicopolis ad Istrum and her Territory|journal=Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte |volume=56| publisher =Franz Steiner Verlag|issue=|pages= |doi= |jstor=25598389}}
*{{cite journal |last=Ruscu|first=Ligia Cristina|date=2007|title=On Nicopolis ad Istrum and her Territory|journal=Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte |volume=56|issue=2|pages=214–229| publisher =Franz Steiner Verlag|jstor=25598389}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sayles|first1=Wayne G.|title=Ancient Coin Collecting IV: Roman Provincial Coins|publisher=Krause Publications|date=1998|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sayles|first1=Wayne G.|title=Ancient Coin Collecting IV: Roman Provincial Coins|publisher=Krause Publications|date=1998}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sophoulis|first1=Panos|title=Byzantium and Bulgaria, 775-831|publisher=BRILL|date=2011|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sophoulis|first1=Panos|title=Byzantium and Bulgaria, 775-831|publisher=BRILL|date=2011}}
* {{Tabula Imperii Byzantini | volume = 6}}
* {{cite book|last=Soustal|first=Peter|title=Tabula Imperii Byzantini, Band 6: Thrakien (Thrakē, Rodopē und Haimimontos)|location=Vienna|publisher=Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften|year=1991|language=German|isbn=3-7001-1898-8}}
*{{cite book |last1=Tabbernee|first1=William|title=Fake Prophecy and Polluted Sacraments: Eccelesiastical and Imperial Reactions to Montanism|publisher=BRILL|date=2007|authorlink=|url=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Tabbernee|first1=William|title=Fake Prophecy and Polluted Sacraments: Ecclesiastical and Imperial Reactions to Montanism|publisher=BRILL|date=1 October 2007|doi=10.1163/ej.9789004158191.i-485|isbn=9789047421313}}
*{{The Byzantine Revival, 780–842}}
*{{cite book | last=Treadgold | first=Warren T. | authorlink=Warren Treadgold | title=The Byzantine Revival, 780–842 | location=Stanford | publisher=Stanford University Press | year=1988 | isbn=0-8047-1462-2 | url= | ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last1=Wolfram|first1=Herwig|title=History of the Goths|publisher=University of California Press|date=1990 |authorlink=|url=https://books.google.com/?id=GeNDDwAAQBAJ&vq=develtus&dq=develtos|isbn=9780520069831}}
*{{cite book|last1=Wolfram|first1=Herwig|title=History of the Goths|publisher=University of California Press|date=1990 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GeNDDwAAQBAJ&q=develtos|isbn=9780520069831}}


[[Category:Greek colonies on the Black Sea coast]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Greek colonies in Thrace]]
[[Category:Greek colonies in Thrace]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1st millennium BC]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th century BC]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Roman towns and cities in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Roman towns and cities in Bulgaria]]
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[[Category:Burgas Lakes]]
[[Category:Burgas Lakes]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:History of Burgas Province]]
[[Category:Defunct dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Defunct dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]]
[[Category:Populated places of the Byzantine Empire]]
[[Category:Populated places of the Byzantine Empire]]
[[Category:Catholic titular sees in Europe]]
[[Category:Catholic titular sees in Europe]]
[[Category:Populated places in ancient Thrace]]

Latest revision as of 19:43, 24 October 2024

Develtos
Деултум
The ruins of Develtos
Develtos is located in Bulgaria
Develtos
Shown within Bulgaria
LocationDebelt, Burgas Province, Bulgaria
RegionThrace
Coordinates42°23′28.9″N 27°17′20.5″E / 42.391361°N 27.289028°E / 42.391361; 27.289028
TypeSettlement

Develtos (Bulgarian: Деултум, Greek: Δεβελτός, Δηβελτός, Δεουελτός, Δεούελτος, Διβηλτóς) or Deultum [nb 1] was an ancient city and bishopric in Thrace. It was located at the mouth of the river Sredetska reka on the west coast of Lake Mandrensko, previously part of the Gulf of Burgas, and near the modern village of Debelt.

History

[edit]

Classical period

[edit]
Hypocaust in Deultum

Develton (Thracian: Debelton, "two-swamp area") was founded as an emporium of Apollonia Pontica in the 7th century BC.[1] From the 6th century to the 4th century BC, the settlement served as an important place of trade between Thracians and Greeks.[2]

Develton was annexed to the Roman Empire in 46 AD and became part of the province of Thrace.[3] The construction of a colonia for veterans of the VIII Augusta legion at Develton was likely planned prior to 69 AD, but was delayed due to the eruption of civil war of 69 AD.[4] The veterans may have been settled at Develton due to its proximity to the neighbouring region of Moesia, where VIII Augusta was formerly based.[4] The location was also chosen for a veterans colony as the veterans had the appropriate training necessary for the drainage of local marshland, therefore allowing the area to be developed and exploited.[5] The colonia was thus built during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, and was named Colonia Flavia Pacis Deultensium,[1] or Colonia Flavia Pancensis Deultum.[6] The inclusion of "peace" (Pacis) in the title of the colony probably referred to the conclusion of the civil war.[4] The city had an extensive territory, as testified by inscriptions in Panchevo and Sladki Kladenci near Burgas.[7]

A bronze coin of Severus Alexander minted at Deultum

Pliny the Elder makes reference to the city in his Naturalis Historia.[8] In 82 AD, the population of Deultum petitioned Titus Avidius Quietus to become a patron of the city.[9] Commemorative bronze coins were minted by Emperor Trajan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Deultum.[10] Between 130 and 150 AD, the city suffered serious damage from barbarian attacks.[10]

By the end of the 2nd century and the beginning of the 3rd century, Deultum had an area of approximately 62 acres (0.25 sq km) and there were temples dedicated to Asclepius and Cybele.[10] A mint was active at Deultum from the reign of Caracalla to that of Emperor Philip the Arab.[11] The city is mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary, composed in the early 3rd century.[12] Following his ascension to the throne, Emperor Philip the Arab travelled through Deultum in 244 en route from Circesium to Rome, and adventus coins were minted to celebrate his presence.[13]

Deultum was sacked by Goths in the second half of the 3rd century and was rebuilt shortly after.[10] The city later became part of the province of Haemimontus,[12] and Emperor Diocletian travelled through Deultum in 294 whilst en route from Sirmium to Nicomedia.[14] Legions I Flavia Pacis, II Flavia Pacatiana, and III Flavia Pacis may have been levied at Deultum and its environs by Diocletian or Emperor Constantius II.[15]

At the Battle of Deultum in the summer of 377 during the Gothic War of 376–382 an Eastern Roman army was defeated by a Gothic raiding party outside Deultum,[16] and the city was sacked.[10] Deultum was later rebuilt on a smaller scale, and, in the second half of the 5th century, new walls were constructed and all unprotected buildings were demolished to ensure hostile forces did not use them as cover.[10] However, the walls were destroyed by Slavs and Avars at the end of the 6th century.[10]

Medieval period

[edit]

Develtos lay on the border with Bulgaria after the Treaty of 716 between Emperor Theodosius III and Khan Tervel,[11] and became a significant defensive post in the war with the Bulgarians.[17] As a consequence of the treaty, the city was situated at the edge of a depopulated no man's land known as Zagoria ("beyond the [Haemus] mountains") to the Bulgarians.[7] The office of kommerkia of Develtos is first attested in the 8th century.[18] Zagoria was retaken by Emperor Constantine V in 756,[19] and thus, by the early 9th century, the city had become part of a chain of military bases in northern Thrace which helped confine the Bulgarians to the north of the Haemus Mountains.[20]

In May 812, Khan Krum besieged Develtos and in June the city surrendered.[21] Siphons used to shoot Greek fire, an incendiary naval weapon, were looted when the city was taken.[22] Krum subsequently destroyed Develtos and its fortifications, and forcibly relocated the city's population to Bulgarian territory.[7][23] The depopulation of Develtos suggests Krum did not initially plan to permanently occupy the territory.[24] However, Krum later repopulated Develtos with Bulgarians,[10] and annexed the city to a new province administered by his brother in 814.[24] The province was subdivided into two districts, one on either side of the River Tonzos, and Develtos was administered as part of the left side by the boyar Irataïs and his subordinates the strategoi Cordyles and Gregoras.[24] Emperor Leo V's victory over Khan Omurtag in April 816 near Mesembria led to the negotiation and ratification of a treaty in September, which returned the city to Roman control.[25]

As per the Treaty of 816, the Great Fence (in Bulgarian), a fortified earthwork palisade, was constructed by Bulgaria northwest of Develtos to mark the border between the two states.[26] Following Bulgarian raids into Thrace in 853, the city was ceded by Empress Theodora to Khan Boris I,[27] by which time Develtos was still partially ruined.[28] Boris I restored the city to the Roman Empire,[29] and may have been baptised at the city, in 864.[10] An embassy sent by Pope Nicholas I to Emperor Michael III in 866 was prevented from entering the empire and was forced to wait 40 days at Develtos, after which the embassy abandoned its task and travelled to Pliska.[30] The embassy was tasked with informing the emperor of the pope's condemnation of Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople, and consisted of Donatus, Bishop of Ostia, the deacon Marinus, and the priest Leo.[30]

Develtos was ceded to Tsar Simeon I in the Treaty of 896, and designated as the site where the annual tribute to the Bulgarians was to be delivered.[7] Simeon I launched his campaign against Constantinople by way of Develtos in the summer of 913, thus beginning the War of 913-927.[31] As per the stipulations of the Treaty of 927, Tsar Peter I relinquished control of the city to Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos, and Develtos became part of the theme of Thrace.[32]

In 1087, Develtos was transferred to the newly created theme of Anchialos by Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.[33] The city was the temporary refuge of Emperor Alexios III Angelos in mid-July 1203 after he had fled Constantinople when faced with the arrival of the Fourth Crusade.[34] Develtos was conquered by the Second Bulgarian Empire after the Battle of Adrianople in 1205,[35] but was recovered by Michael Glabas Tarchaneiotes in 1263.[7] The city declined and was depopulated in the 14th century, either due to Turkish attacks, or due to the sedimentation of its lagoon.[7] Develtos was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1396.[17]

Ecclesiastical history

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Ruins of Deultum

The diocese of Develtos was established in the 2nd century AD,[36] and Bishop Aelius Publius Julius is attested towards the end of the century.[7] His condemnation of Montanism suggests that montanists were present in the area in the 170s,[37] and Julius likely attended a synod at Hierapolis in Phrygia to combat the heresy.[38] The title of bishop was of Develtos and Sozopolis until the latter became a diocese in its own right potentially in the 5th century.[39]

Athanasius, Bishop of Develtos and Sozopolis, attended the Council of Ephesus in 431,[7] and initially supported the teachings of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, but later adopted the orthodox position as declared at the council.[39] Jovian or Jovinus attended the Synod of Constantinople in 448 and the Council of Chalcedon in 451.[39] He also signed a letter alongside other bishops of Haemimontus to Emperor Leo I the Thracian in 457 to protest the murder of Saint Proterius of Alexandria.[39] A bishop of Develtos is recorded at the Synod of Constantinople of 459.[7]

Bishop Eustratius attended the Second Council of Nicaea in 787.[7] Saint George, Archbishop of Develtos, was amongst those deported after the city's surrender to Krum in 812 and was tortured to death by Khan Omurtag in 815 with roughly 380 other martyrs who refused to renounce their faith.[40] The see was vacant in 869,[41] but Bishop Symeon attended the Fourth Council of Constantinople in 879.[7] By the second half of the 9th century, until the 12th century, the diocese of Develtos is attested as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Adrianople.[7] Constantine, Bishop of Develtos, was active at the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century.[42]

Develtos was nominally revived as a titular bishopric in 1933, and had the following incumbents:

Archaeological exploration

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Excavations have been conducted since 1981 with an interruption around the turn of the century. Structures from the Roman and Byzantine periods have been explored (thermae, a temple of the imperial cult, fortifications). A museum dedicated to the site was opened next to it in 2016. The exhibits include a bronze head of Septimius Severus (from a statue damaged by fire).

In 2020, archaeologists discovered a sarcophagus from the 2nd or 3rd century AD with a Greek inscription which proved that Develtos was a port town.[43] In 2024, an amulet believed to be the earliest Christian relic in the region was discovered there. The amulet, dating from the late 2nd to early 3rd century AD, contains the first known reference to Christ in the region.[44]

References

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Notes

  1. ^ Also known as Debeltos, Debeltus, Debeltum, Develtum, Develtus, Dibaltum, and Deultum

Citations

  1. ^ a b Boer (2002), pp. 131-133
  2. ^ Hind (1992), p. 85
  3. ^ Ruscu (2007), p. 214
  4. ^ a b c Campbell (2006), p. 218
  5. ^ Richmond (1945), p. 23
  6. ^ Sayles (1998), p. 31
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Soustal (1992), pp. 234–235
  8. ^ Birley (1986), p. 210
  9. ^ Birley (1981), p. 85
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dikov (2015)
  11. ^ a b Bredow (2006)
  12. ^ a b Boeft et al. (2017), p. 150
  13. ^ Peachin (1991), p. 340
  14. ^ Connolly (2010), p. 51
  15. ^ DuBois (2015), p. 79
  16. ^ Wolfram (1990), p. 123
  17. ^ a b Browning (1991)
  18. ^ Sophoulis (2011), pp. 48-49
  19. ^ Madgearu (2016), p. 82
  20. ^ Sophoulis (2011), p. 186
  21. ^ Sophoulis (2011), p. 222
  22. ^ Treadgold (1988), p. 185
  23. ^ Fine (1991), p. 98
  24. ^ a b c Treadgold (1988), p. 205
  25. ^ Treadgold (1988), pp. 216-217
  26. ^ Hupchick (2017), p. 114
  27. ^ Hendy (1985), pp. 82-83
  28. ^ Hupchick (2017), p. 131
  29. ^ Hupchick (2017), p. 136
  30. ^ a b McCormick (2001), pp. 143-144
  31. ^ Runciman (1988), pp. 82-83
  32. ^ Runciman (1988), pp. 97-98
  33. ^ Madgearu (2013), p. 85
  34. ^ Garland (2002), p. 221
  35. ^ "Deultum, Bulgaria". Bulgarie: Le Guide (in French).
  36. ^ Dumanov (2015), p. 93
  37. ^ Tabbernee (2007), p. 24
  38. ^ Tabbernee (2007), p. 23
  39. ^ a b c d Janin (1960), coll. 141-142
  40. ^ Treadgold (1988), pp. 214-215
  41. ^ Hendy (1985), pp. 83-84
  42. ^ "Konstantinos". Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit Online (in German). 2013.
  43. ^ Deultum Roman colony near Burgas had port
  44. ^ Milligan, Mark (2024-07-22). "Silver amulet contains the first mention of Christ in Bulgaria". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2024-07-26.

Bibliography

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