Tapae was a Dacian outpost, guarding Sarmisegetuza, their main political centre. Its location was on the Iron Gates of Translylvania, a natural passage breaking between Ţarcului and Poiana Ruscă Mountains and connecting Banat

Banat

The Banat is a geographical and historical region in Central Europe currently divided between three countries: the eastern part lies in western Romania , the western part in northeastern Serbia , and a small...

 to Ţara Haţegului

Hateg

Hațeg is a town in Hunedoara County, Romania with a population of 12,507. Three villages are administered by the town: Nălațvad, Silvașu de Jos and Silvașu de Sus.Țara Hațegului is the region around Hațeg town...

. This made it one of the very few point through which Southern invaders could enter Transylvania. Moreover, 8 kilometres down the passage into Ţara Haţegului, there is Sarmizegetusa Regia.

Cassius Dio notes the existence of a camp there during Dacian Wars. The site is the place of two battles

Battle of Tapae

Battle of Tapae may refer to:#First Battle of Tapae, between Domitian and Dacia in 87#Second Battle of Tapae, between Trajan and Decebal in 101...

 between Dacians and Romans. The position is approximative, as no physical remains from antiquity have been found.

Nowadays, on the site there is a small village, Zeicani, part of Sarmisegetuza

Sarmizegetusa (commune)

Sarmizegetusa is a commune in Ţara Haţegului depression, Hunedoara County, Romania. It is composed of five villages: Breazova, Hobiţa-Grădişte, Păucineşti, Sarmizegetusa and Zeicani....

commune.