Sarmizegetusa: Roman History and Archaeology

The settlement's necropolis includes the Mausoleum of the Aurelii. The structure is a tumulus with a stone base, a stele and a funerary altar. It also includes a burial chamber built of brick masonry. The Mausoleum of the Aurelii dates from the middle of the 3rd century.

The components of the mausoleum thus combine an earthen burial structure with stone elements standing upright. The funerary altar and the stele are part of the described complex, as is the burial chamber built of bricks.

Culture

The Sarmizegetusa Archaeological Museum houses Roman-archaeological collections featuring epigraphic and sculptural monuments. The collections also include mosaics and fragments of wall paintings. Weapons and silverwork are also part of the holdings, as are objects made of bronze and bone. Ceramics, glass and coins complete the museum's aforementioned groups of objects.

The museum therefore displays inscribed and sculptural monuments alongside mosaics and fragments of wall paintings. Weapons, silverwork, bronze and bone objects form further groups, while ceramics, glass and coins complement the various material remains.

The permanent exhibition of the Sarmizegetusa Archaeological Museum comprises four rooms on the ground floor and five rooms on the upper floor. Another room on the ground floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

The exhibition is thus spread across a total of nine rooms of the permanent exhibition on two floors. The additional room on the ground floor is not part of this permanent exhibition, but is intended for changing presentations.

History

The Temple of the Palmyrene Gods was built under Septimius Severus. This temple is of particular importance for understanding the Palmyrene religion. The first excavations at the Temple of Nemesis took place between 1981 and 1983 in the area of the amphitheatre of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa.

The two references to temples point to different historical information: the construction period of the Temple of the Palmyrene Gods under Septimius Severus has been handed down, while the Temple of Nemesis is documented by the first excavations carried out between 1981 and 1983.

The amphitheatre of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa was located outside the walls of the Roman city. Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa was founded between AD 109 and 110. The foundation was carried out by the governor Decimus Terentius Scaurianus on behalf of Emperor Trajan. Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa served as the provisional capital of Roman Dacia.

The city was therefore founded in the years 109 to 110 AD and this is connected with Emperor Trajan's order to his governor Decimus Terentius Scaurianus. The amphitheatre located outside the city walls is one of the aforementioned structures of the Roman city.

You can find more local pages here: Petrila, Cib, Râu Bărbat, Teliucu Inferior, Peștișu Mare, Mălăești, Vălișoara, Lupeni.

Village

During a walk through the village of Sarmizegetusa, you can discover traces of the walls in the residents' courtyards. These walls surrounded the ancient city.

Routes

The route of the Roman forts leads from Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa to the ruins of the Romano-Byzantine fortress of Sucidava. It extends for more than 1,500 kilometres. The starting point is Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, while the destination is considered to be the ruins of Sucidava.

The route therefore connects the ancient urban site of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa as its starting point with the ruins of the Romano-Byzantine fortress of Sucidava. Its stated length of more than 1,500 kilometres makes the route a far-reaching connection between Roman forts.

Getting There

Sarmizegetusa can be reached via the DN 68 on the route between Hațeg and Caransebeș. This road connection is bounded by these two towns. By train, Sarmizegetusa can be reached via the Petroșani–Subcetate or Simeria–Subcetate lines.

To the main travel overview: Eisenmarkt.