Dacia

Ancient region covering much of modern Romania. The various Dacian tribes were united around 60 BC, and for many years posed a threat to the Roman empire; they were finally conquered by the Roman emperor Trajan AD 101–07, and the region became a province of the same name. It was abandoned by the emperor Aurelian to the invading Goths about 270.

During the reign of the emperor Augustus the Dacians formally acknowledged Roman supremacy, but continued to cross the Danube and ravage the province of Moesia. Under the emperor Domitian the Romans, although nominally successful after two campaigns AD 85–89, came to a treaty arrangement, paying an annual grant to the Dacian king Decebalus. On the accession of Trajan 96, Decebalus complained that his grant had been cut or withheld, and again crossed the Roman frontier. Trajan fought two Dacian wars 101–02 and 105–07, which ended in the suicide of Decebalus and the conquest of all Dacia. The wars are commemorated in the sculptures of Trajan's Column at Rome. Dacia possessed valuable mines of gold and silver.