The integration proces of the Lower Moesian areas
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Date
2017
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Instytut Kultury Europejskiej UAM
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Abstract
The objective of this article is to provide a short presentation of the integration
process of the areas that formed Lower Moesia. The author aims to present select
methods implemented by the Romans in order to place the discussed territories under
their complete control. The main differences between the individual parts of Lower
Moesia have also been indicated in the article, as well as the ways in which they
mutually supplemented each other, ultimately composing a cohesive whole.
Description
Lower Moesia was amalgamated from territories whose degree of urbanization
varied. The line of the Danube was dominated by the Roman army and civilian
settlers who were associated with the army in one way or another. As for the interior
of the province, there were the two major urban centres of Nicopolis ad Istrum and
Marcianopolis, as well as Montana, Abrittus and environs of the present-day Ć umen.
The urban potential of eastern Lower Moesia stemmed from the existence of Greek
cities, such as Olbia, Tyras, Histria, Tomis, Callatis, Dionysopolis, Odessos, which
maintained their separate character, just as the area of Dobruja.
In each of those territories the Romans implemented a different strategy of
integration. Along the Danube, Rome established tribal administrative districts
(civitates, territoria). Simultaneously, civilian settlements sprang up in the vicinity
of military encampments; in time, some of those were granted the status
of municipium and colony (Oescus). In Dobruja, the Romans effected an
administrative reorganization of the Greek cities and supported intensive
colonization, whose most palpable and widespread manifestation was establishing
villages which emulated the Roman pattern. The so-called interior represented
a highly diverse area. Before Trajan initiated the construction of Nicopolis ad Istrum
and Marcianopolis, Thracian strategiai governed by local aristocrats were to be
found there. Rome dissolved them gradually and pursued urbanization undertakings
there. Having founded both of the aforesaid cities, the Romans opted for a Greek
model of their development, realizing that it would be more culturally familiar to
Thracians than the Roman one. The pace of integration depended on the interests of
Rome itself. The economically valuable mining areas were where Roman influence
was brought to bear in the first place. For this reason, Montana was promptly and
entirely subordinated to military administration, in order to secure its natural
resources. The regions of Abrittus and Ć umen were poorly urbanized, but the
Romans recognized their substantial agricultural potential (Ć umen in particular)
establishing a number of imperial domains and land estates for lease, which then
became a highly efficient logistical base for the army stationed on the Danube.
In conclusion, although Lower Moesia was a relatively small province, stretching
as it did along the Danube, it was a cohesive entity in terms of administration. Each
part of the province played a particular role and proved to function in a manner that
was complementary to the others
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Keywords
Lower Moesia, administration, civitas, territory, integration, municpium
Citation
Studia Europaea Gnesnensia, 16/2017, s.371-397.
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ISBN
ISSN
2082-5951