Dacian Wars

• The Dacian Wars (85-106 CE) took place in Dacia (Roumania) first under Domitian (51-96 CE), then under Trajan (53-117 CE), after which Dacia finally became a Roman Province until 271 CE.

The Reason for the Wars

• The Dacians had a large and powerful Army and had represented a constant threat to Moesia and therefore to Greece, for a long time. The Dacians also had great wealth in their various mines, in particular, their gold mines.

The Wars under Domitian (85-92 CE)

• Dacian Invasion of Moesia (85 CE)

  • 85 CE the Dacians invaded Moesia

• Battle of Tapae (88 CE)

  • 88 CE Domitian defeated the Dacians at the Battle of Tapae, at the Iron Gates of Transylvania Pass (2,297 ft- 700 m) (not the Iron Gates on the Danube).

• Legion destroyed (92 CE)

  • 92 CE The Dacians and the Sarmatians destroyed the Legio XXI Rapax

The Wars under Trajan (101-106 CE)

First Dacian War (101-102 CE)

• • 101 CE Second Battle of Tapae, where Trajan defeated King Decebalus who signed a Peace Treaty before Trajan could reach the Dacian Capital of Sarmisegetusa.

Second Dacian War (105-106 CE)

• • Decebalus broke the Treaty and attacked the Roman Garrisons in Dacia.
  • 106 CE The Battle of Sarmisegetusa. Trajan reinvaded Dacia, beseiged the Capital, Sarmizegetusa Regia, and burnt it.
  • Later he rebuilt a new Capital, Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, 25 miles (40km) away.
  • He then confiscated the Dacian treasure of Gold and Silver, according to Cassius Dio.
  • Decebalus fled and committed suicide.
  • Trajan celebrated with a Roman Triumph in Rome.
  • He built Trajan's Column built depicting scenes of the Invasion, to celebrate the victory.

Trophy Monument

• • Tropaeum Traiani Trophy Monument was built in 109 CE by Trajan on the battlefield where the Legio XXI Rapax had been lost, to commemorate the Battle of Tapae of 102 CE.

The Outcome

Dacia

• • Dacia became a Roman Province (106-271 CE).
  • It was ruled by a Proconsul as an Imperial Province until Aurelian withdrew the Legions in 271 CE.

Dacian Gold Mines

• • The Dacian Gold Mines produced 700 Million Denarii per annum for Rome. They were located in Transylvania, between Apulum and Napoca in the Bihor Mountains. Alburus Maior 131-167 CE. The Mines were closed 215 CE.
  • Other Dacian Mines produced Salt, Iron, Silver and Copper.
  • Dacian Quarries produced Limestone, Marble, Schist, Sandstone and Andesite.

Sources

• Dio Cassius History of Rome

Tropaeum Traiani, Adamclisi