The Dacians and Getae at War: 4th Century BC- 2nd Century AD

The Dacians and Getae were formidable enemies of Rome, with tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry, led by a military aristocracy. They inflicted several defeats on Rome, crossing the Danube to invade Moesia and resisting counter-invasions. Historians believe they were essentially the same group of tribes, related to Thracian tribes from territory south of the Carpathian Mountains. They were best known from wars against the emperors Domitian and Trajan, and their effectiveness caused modifications in Roman infantry armour. This book provides a complete account of their society and culture, using previously unseen photos of archaeological finds and literary research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Romans faced formidable enemies in modern Romania and Bulgaria, known for their extensive friezes and carvings on Trajans Column and Trajans Adamklissi monument. These enemies, the Dacians and Getae, were formidable warriors with tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry, led by a military aristocracy. They posed a significant threat to Rome's north-eastern frontier, crossing the Danube to invade Moesia and resisting counter-invasions from their strong mountain fortresses. Historians believe that the Dacians and Getae were essentially the same group of tribes during successive periods, related to Thracian tribes from territory south of the Carpathian Mountains. However, their exact relationship in place and time is a subject for debate. Those called the 'Getae' by ancient Greek sources were actively expanding by at least the 4th century BC, with some enlisted as mercenaries in Roman armies during the 1st century BC and others later clashed with the army of Augustus, fighting alongside the Sarmatians. The people whom the Romans called the 'Dacians' are best known from wars against the emperors Domitian in AD 85-89 and Trajan in 101-106. At their peak, the Dacians and Getae defeated neighbouring peoples stretching from modern Slovakia to southern Ukraine, and it is believed that the effectiveness of their weapons caused modifications in Roman infantry armour. Although most direct ancient sources have been lost to us, enough references remain to reconstruct a picture of their society and culture. Using previously unseen photos of archaeological finds with colour illustrations showing the appearance and weaponry of their warrior kings, noblemen, infantry and cavalry, this book provides a fascinating insight into the Romans' formidable enemies in modern Romania and Bulgaria.

Weight: 174g
Dimension: 185 x 249 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472854537