c. 283 – 586 → | Dacia Aureliana partitioned before AD 285 280s | |
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Capital Ratiaria (now in Vidin Province, Bulgaria) | ||
Dacia Ripensis (Greek: Δακία Παραποτάμια, English translation: "Dacia from the banks of the Danube") was the name of a Roman province (part of Dacia Aureliana) first established by Aurelian c. AD 283, south of the Danube, after he withdrew from Dacia Traiana.
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History
It is unclear whether Aurelian or the Emperor Diocletian replaced Dacia Aureliana with two provinces, but by 285, there were two – Dacia Mediterranea with its capital at Serdica and Dacia Ripensis, with its capital at Ratiaria. Later, these two "Dacias" along with Dardania, Lower Moesia, and Prevalitana constituted the Diocese of Dacia.
Ratiaria was established as the capital of Dacia Ripensis (it was previously a colony founded by Trajan located within Moesia Superior) and served both as the seat of the military governor (or dux) and as the military base for the Roman legion XIII Gemina.
According to Priscus, Dacia Ripensis was a flourishing province during the 4th and 5th centuries AD. During the early 440s, however, the Huns captured the province (prior to this, there were conflicts between the Romans and the Huns whereby the latter group captured Castra Martis through treacherous means). Even though the province recovered briefly from Hunnic rule, it was eventually decimated by the Avars in 586. On a more specific note, Aurelian developed Dacia Ripensis on a stretch of the Danube specifically between Moesia Superior and Moesia Inferior.
Episcopal sees
Ancient episcopal sees of the late Roman province of Dacia Ripensis listed in the Annuario Pontificio as titular sees: