Sucidava
Sucidava (Sykibid, Skedevà after Procopius of Caesarea, Σucidava after Vasile Pârvan, where Σ is pronounced "sh") was a Dacian and Daco-Roman city situated in Corabia, Romania, on the north bank of the Danube. It was a significant economic and military centre of the Dacian Suci tribe.
| Castra Sucidava | |
|---|---|
Ruins of Sucidava, modern Romania | |
Location within Romania | |
| Known also as | Castra of Celeiu |
| Abandoned | 6th century |
| Attested by | Tabula Peutingeriana |
| Previous fortification | Dacian |
| Place in the Roman world | |
| Province | Dacia |
| Administrative unit | Dacia Malvensis |
| Nearby water | Danubius |
| Structure | |
| — Stone structure — | |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 43.7644°N 24.4591°E |
| Altitude | c. 37 m |
| Place name | Cartier Celei |
| Town | Corabia |
| County | Olt |
| Country | Romania |
| Reference | |
| RO-LMI | OT-I-s-A-08492 |
| Site notes | |
| Recognition | National Historical Monument |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Excavation dates | 1900 |
| Archaeologists | Pamfil Polonic |
After Dacia was conquered, the ancient Roman fort, one of the largest Roman forts in Oltenia, was built on the place of the former Dacian citadel in the 270s. The defensive walls with eight towers of the late Roman town of Sucidava can still be seen.
The start of Constantine's Bridge (Danube) over the Danube in order to start the reconquest of Dacia and which connected to the Oescus fortress in Bulgaria can be seen.
The city developed around the fort. The archaeological evidence show that in 443–447 the city and the fort was sacked by the Huns, and were restored under Justin I 518–527 or Justinian I 527–565. Around 600, it seems that the Roman garrison abandoned the city.
The first Christian Basilica established in Romania can be found there. There is also a secret underground fountain which flows under the walls of the town to a water spring situated outside.
The coins found at Sucidava show an uninterrupted series from Aurelian (270–275) to Theodosius II (408–450).