The Topography, Settlements and Roads of Dacia Ripensis. A Comparison between the Tabula Peutingeriana and other Sources

Abstract

During Late Antiquity, Dacia Ripensis was the westernmost province of the Lower Danube region, and its territory today is covered by the modern countries of Serbia and Bulgaria (fig. 1). The study of Dacia Ripensis asks us, however, to also consider the situation on the opposite bank of the Danube. Despite the abandonment in the 270s of the provinces north of the river, the imperial authority indeed maintained bridgeheads and a strong military influence in the “true” Dacian territory – current Romania – at least in its southern part, until the late 6th century, both Moesiae and Dacia Ripensis being the rear bases for operations outside the Empire