Danube Limes

• The Danube Limes was a Frontier Defense System consisting of a chain of Legionary Fortresses, Camps and Watchtowers along the south Bank of the Danube, which stretched from Raetia (Switzerland) to the Black Sea.
• Trajan (98-117 CE) added stone walls around the Forts and Hadrian (117-138 CE) added an earth rampart along the Danube. The western section is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

History

• In 335 BCE, the Celts descended the Danube and met with Alexander the Great. Talks were held between the two sides, and their conversations recorded.
• After the Roman Invasion of Gaul between 58-51 BCE, the Rhine became the new northern Frontier.
• Then in the first century CE, the Danube became the Frontier to defend the Balkans and Greece.
• The Romans put River Fleets in place along the Danube with regular patrols to deter attacks.

Limes Moesiae

• The Limes Moesiae were defensive works constructed in three sections along the Danube Delta. They were commenced during the time of Trajan (98-117 CE).
  • Trajan’s Wall
    • between Constanta and the Black Sea in Moesia Inferior.
  • Upper Trajan’s Wall in Dacia:
    • Located in Moldova and also known as the Greuthungian Wall, it stretched from the River Dniester to the River Prut for 74 miles (120km). It was built in c.110 CE to protect the coastal area, between the Danube Delta up to the city of Tyras.
    • It was a Turf Wall: 75 miles (120km) long, 10-13 feet (3-4m) wide, 10-20 feet (10-15m) thick, with a Trench in front 6-9 feet (2-3m) deep. Currently 1.5 feet (0.5m) high.
  • Limes Transalutanus in Dacia:
    • Also known as Lower or Southern Trajan’s Wall.
    • Built parallel to the River Olt to its east. It was started in 107 CE and had a length of 146 miles (235 km).
  • Limes Alutanus:
    • A north-south Wall, also east of the River Olt.

Walls in Dacia

• • Limes Porolissensis:
    • Defending the north of Dacia.
  • Constantine’s Wall:
    • Also known as the Brazda lui Novac, stretching from the Danube to Ploesti.

The Danube