3 ms·

The strange shape of the Roman province of Dacia [1], which was vulnerable on three sides (West, North and East), was most probably the result of the Romans' de

The strange shape of the Roman province of Dacia [1], which was vulnerable on three sides (West, North and East), was most probably the result of the Romans' desire to posses this salt-mine and some other ones located near-by. Turda used to be called Potaissa [2] back in those days (you can see it in the center of the map that I linked to), and there was almost always a Roman legion stationed there. There were also some actual gold mines that the same Romans were taking advantage of close-by, at Alburnus Maior (also visible on the map). [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Dacia#/media/File:Roman_province_of_Dacia_(106_-_271_AD).svg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Dacia#/media/File:Roman_... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potaissa_(castra) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potaissa_(castra)

rob74 3y ago
The map you linked doesn't show it, but there are mountains to the North and East, which probably gave it a bit of protection. But yeah, the Romans only managed to hold on to it for 175 years, which is pretty short compared to the rest of the empire...
- paganel 3y ago
  The quirks of .svg maps/links I guess, maybe this one works [1] As per the mountains, they are not that impenetrable, but you're of course correct, the easiest way was to come through Porolissum, through the North-West passage, the "mountains" there do not surpass 700-800 meters in height. That's how the Magyars actually did it about 800 years after the Romans, i.e. they came through today's county of Salaj, where the old Porolissum used to be. If I'm not mistaken the name of Turda itself comes after a Magyar ruler/chieftain called Torda (a Turkic-like name itself, but that's another discussion). [1] https://religioacademici.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/transterk-map2.jpg https://religioacademici.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/transte...
- unnouinceput 3y ago
  Dacia was the last province they conquered and the first one they lost, thus making Roman Empire a true LIFO
MilStdJunkie 3y ago
Indeed. Salt was the petroleum of premodern warfare, allowing armies to move across longer distances with less foraging. Like petroleum, their civilization would rapidly collapse were the supply impeded, halted . . or adulterated . .

rob74 3y ago

The map you linked doesn't show it, but there are mountains to the North and East, which probably gave it a bit of protection. But yeah, the Romans only managed to hold on to it for 175 years, which is pretty short compared to the rest of the empire...

paganel 3y ago
The quirks of .svg maps/links I guess, maybe this one works [1] As per the mountains, they are not that impenetrable, but you're of course correct, the easiest way was to come through Porolissum, through the North-West passage, the "mountains" there do not surpass 700-800 meters in height. That's how the Magyars actually did it about 800 years after the Romans, i.e. they came through today's county of Salaj, where the old Porolissum used to be. If I'm not mistaken the name of Turda itself comes after a Magyar ruler/chieftain called Torda (a Turkic-like name itself, but that's another discussion). [1] https://religioacademici.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/transterk-map2.jpg https://religioacademici.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/transte...
unnouinceput 3y ago
Dacia was the last province they conquered and the first one they lost, thus making Roman Empire a true LIFO

MilStdJunkie 3y ago

Indeed. Salt was the petroleum of premodern warfare, allowing armies to move across longer distances with less foraging. Like petroleum, their civilization would rapidly collapse were the supply impeded, halted . . or adulterated . .