Mesamria in the Roman empire- Historical overview

The realization of the Roman conquerors’ ambition to establish and consolidate strong foundations in the Balkans began in 148 BC with the creation of the province of Macedonia. Pursuing their expansionist goals, the Roman legions eventually reached the shores of the Black Sea. The Greek colonies were unable to find reliable protection against the Romans among the Thracian principalities and instead sought temporary support from the Kingdom of Pontus.

This kingdom was established after the era of Alexander the Great, around 302 BC, in a region of northeastern Asia Minor along the Black Sea coast, in present-day Turkey. Over time, it expanded its territory. Between 120 and 63 BC, its ruler, Mithridates, confronted Rome in four wars, aiming to assert his dominance over Asia Minor and the Black Sea region.

During the Third Mithridatic War, 73 to 63 BC, the Roman legions led by Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus reached the Black Sea coast. At that time, the Greek colonies were allies of Mithridates. The Roman forces advanced toward Apollonia, modern-day Sozopol, located about 60 km south of here. Despite the determined resistance of its inhabitants, the city was plundered and burned. Its greatest treasure, the famous statue of Apollo the Healer, was taken to Rome.

This outcome discouraged the population of Mesambria, and the city surrendered voluntarily to the Romans. It was spared destruction, although part of the Roman army wintered there in 72-71 BC. The first Roman commander of the city was Gaius Cornelius, who was honored with a decree by the local population.

Mesambria thus became part of the vast Roman state, which was still officially a republic at the time. However, Lucullus’ victories in Thrace did not bring the expected political stability. The spirit of resistance among the unconquered Thracian tribes remained strong. About a decade later, they rose against the Roman governor of Macedonia and occupied Thrace, Gaius Antonius Hybrida, who suffered a heavy defeat near the Danube delta and barely escaped with his life. Soon after his defeat, a new threat emerged, the powerful Getic kingdom of Burebista, located between the Central Balkan and the Carpathian mountains, North of the Danube. The fate of Mesambria followed that of the other Greek cities. It was captured by the Getae. However, an inscription discovered in Nesebar reveals that the city’s strategoi managed to overthrow Getic rule through military cunning in 44 BC.

Administratively, the polis of Mesambria, known from the 1st century AD onward as Mesembria, was part of the province of Moesia, and after the final integration of the Odrysian Kingdom into the Roman institutions, it was incorporated into the newly established province of Thrace.

During the next two centuries, the empire entered the period known as the Pax Romana, and the geopolitical situation in the region stabilized. There is little information about Roman Mesembria during the 1st and 2nd centuries, except that it continued to mint coins bearing the images of reigning emperors on one side and various deities such as Hercules, Demetra, and Cybele on the other. Some of these coins can still be seen today in the local archaeological museum. Around 55 AD, Saint Andrew the Apostle preached along the Black Sea coast and likely visited Mesembria. Gradually, the city began to transform, leaving behind its ancient pagan character and embracing Christianity. In time, it became an episcopal center.

In the mid-3rd century AD, however, coin minting ceased, most likely due to the Gothic invasions affecting this part of the empire. Although Mesembria is not specifically mentioned in connection with these invasions, it is known that the Goths repeatedly devastated the Black Sea coast during the 3rd and 4th centuries.

At the beginning of the 4th century, Emperor Constantine the Great moved the capital of the empire from Rome to the site of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantion on the Bosporus, founding Constantinople. This decisive act also changed the role of Mesembria. From a relatively distant provincial settlement, it became an important fortified city of imperial significance, integrated into the defensive system of the new capital.

In the centuries that followed, fortifications, basilicas, and public baths were constructed here under the direct authority of the imperial administration in Constantinople. Following the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which ended the persecution of Christians, Mesembria further strengthened its role as an important episcopal center, firmly integrated into the Christian world.

However, with the onset of Late Antiquity and the beginning of the so-called Migration Period, stability in the region began to weaken. New tribes and peoples invaded the Balkans, reshaping the political landscape and marking the beginning of a new historical era. In this dynamic and often uncertain world, Mesambria continued to play an important role, now within the context of the Middle Ages.

If you want to learn more about the Medieval ages, there is a separate chapter that you can find on the map.