Limes Transalutanus
Encyclopedia
Limes Transalutanus is a fortified frontier system of the Roman Empire
, built on the western edge of Teleorman's forests. The frontier was composed by a road following the border, military stonghold, a three metre vallum
10–12 metres wide, reinforced with wood palisade
s on stone walls, and also a ditch. The Transalutanus limes was 235 km long, parallel to Olt river
at a distance varying from 5 to 30 km east of the river. The construction was started in 107
under the command of Marcius Turbo
, and developed under Iulius Severus
(120
-126
); the final stage of the construction was performed under Septimius Severus
(193-211 d.C.).
Between 244
-247
, under Philip the Arab
, after Carpian
and Getae
(or Goths
, confusion due to Jordanes
) attacks, the Roman army abandoned the limes for some time. The Roman army returned to the limes, but then closed the road to the Rucăr
-Bran
pass, the road starting from today's village of Băiculeşti.
Later, another limes was built in the area, known as Brazda lui Novac
.
Today the vallum is used by the Romanian railroad Curtea de Argeş
-Piteşti
-Roşiori de Vede-Turnu Măgurele
.
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, built on the western edge of Teleorman's forests. The frontier was composed by a road following the border, military stonghold, a three metre vallum
Vallum
Vallum is a term applied either to the whole or a portion of the fortifications of a Roman camp. The vallum usually comprised an earthen or turf rampart with a wooden palisade on top, with a deep outer ditch...
10–12 metres wide, reinforced with wood palisade
Palisade
A palisade is a steel or wooden fence or wall of variable height, usually used as a defensive structure.- Typical construction :Typical construction consisted of small or mid sized tree trunks aligned vertically, with no spacing in between. The trunks were sharpened or pointed at the top, and were...
s on stone walls, and also a ditch. The Transalutanus limes was 235 km long, parallel to Olt river
Olt River
The Olt River is a river in Romania. It is the longest river flowing exclusively through Romania. Its source is in the Hăşmaş Mountains of the eastern Carpathian Mountains, near the village Bălan. It flows through the Romanian counties Harghita, Covasna, Braşov, Sibiu, Vâlcea and Olt...
at a distance varying from 5 to 30 km east of the river. The construction was started in 107
107
Year 107 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Sura and Senico...
under the command of Marcius Turbo
Marcius Turbo
Quintus Marcius Turbo was prefect of the Praetorian Guard and a close friend and military advisor to both emperor Trajan and Hadrian during the early 2nd century.- Early life :...
, and developed under Iulius Severus
Sextus Julius Severus
Sextus Julius Severus was an accomplished Roman General of the 2nd century.Julius Severus served as Governor of Moesia; he was appointed Governor of Britain around 131.In 133 he was transferred to Judea, to help suppress the Bar Kochba rebellion there...
(120
120
Year 120 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Severus and Fulvus...
-126
126
Year 126 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Verus and Ambibulus...
); the final stage of the construction was performed under Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus , also known as Severus, was Roman Emperor from 193 to 211. Severus was born in Leptis Magna in the province of Africa. As a young man he advanced through the customary succession of offices under the reigns of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. Severus seized power after the death of...
(193-211 d.C.).
244
Year 244 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Armenius and Aemilianus...
-247
247
Year 247 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Philippus and Severus...
, under Philip the Arab
Philip the Arab
Philip the Arab , also known as Philip or Philippus Arabs, was Roman Emperor from 244 to 249. He came from Syria, and rose to become a major figure in the Roman Empire. He achieved power after the death of Gordian III, quickly negotiating peace with the Sassanid Empire...
, after Carpian
Carpi (people)
The Carpi or Carpiani were an ancient people that resided, between not later than ca. AD 140 and until at least AD 318, in the former Principality of Moldavia ....
and Getae
Getae
The Getae was the name given by the Greeks to several Thracian tribes that occupied the regions south of the Lower Danube, in what is today northern Bulgaria, and north of the Lower Danube, in Romania...
(or Goths
Goths
The Goths were an East Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin whose two branches, the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths, played an important role in the fall of the Roman Empire and the emergence of Medieval Europe....
, confusion due to Jordanes
Jordanes
Jordanes, also written Jordanis or Jornandes, was a 6th century Roman bureaucrat, who turned his hand to history later in life....
) attacks, the Roman army abandoned the limes for some time. The Roman army returned to the limes, but then closed the road to the Rucăr
Rucar
Rucăr is a commune in the north-eastern part of Argeş County, Romania. At the 2002 census, the population of the commune was 6,207. It is composed of two villages, Rucăr and Sătic....
-Bran
Bran
Bran is the hard outer layer of grain and consists of combined aleurone and pericarp. Along with germ, it is an integral part of whole grains, and is often produced as a by-product of milling in the production of refined grains. When bran is removed from grains, the grains lose a portion of their...
pass, the road starting from today's village of Băiculeşti.
Later, another limes was built in the area, known as Brazda lui Novac
Brazda lui Novac
Brazda lui Novac is a Roman limes in present day Romania, known also as Constantine Wall. It is believed by some historians like Alexandru Madgearu to border Ripa Gothica....
.
Today the vallum is used by the Romanian railroad Curtea de Argeş
Curtea de Arges
Curtea de Argeș is a city in Romania on the right bank of the Argeş River, where it flows through a valley of the lower Carpathians , on the railway from Pitești to the Turnu Roşu Pass. It is part of Argeș County. The city administers one village, Noapteș...
-Piteşti
Pitesti
Pitești is a city in Romania, located on the Argeș River. The capital and largest city of Argeș County, it is an important commercial and industrial center, as well as the home of two universities. Pitești is situated on the A1 freeway connecting it directly to the national capital Bucharest,...
-Roşiori de Vede-Turnu Măgurele
Turnu Magurele
Turnu Măgurele is a city in Teleorman County, Romania . Developed nearby the site once occupied by the medieval port of Turnu, it is situated north-east of the confluence between the Olt River and the Danube....
.