Histria (Istrus) Greek Colony on the Black Sea
Archaic Greek to Early Medieval (657 BCE – 7th c. CE)·Milesian Greeks → Getae → Romans → Byzantines·🇷🇴 Dobruja, Constanța County, Istria commune, Sinoe Lake shore near Danube delta, Romania
About
About Histria (Istrus) Greek Colony on the Black Sea
Histria (Istrus) Greek Colony on the Black Sea in Dobruja, Constanța County, Istria commune, Sinoe Lake shore near Danube delta, Romania is a Archaic Greek to Early Medieval (657 BCE – 7th c. CE) Milesian Greeks → Getae → Romans → Byzantines site built 657 BCE (Miletus settlers) as first greek colony on black sea west coast at danube mouth (ister), 60 ha walled polis with temple, harbour now silted 70 km inland. Documented via 1914 Pârvan; continuously.
The Milesian Greeks → Getae → Romans → Byzantines ancient city at Dobruja preserves tidal polis terrace with archaic temple of aphrodite and zeus, roman walls and byzantine basilica; museum. It illustrates Milesian Greeks → Getae → Romans → Byzantines expansion and walled area 60 ha; roman acropolis 10 ha.
Why it mattersHistria (Istrus) Greek Colony on the Black Sea in Dobruja, Constanța County, Istria commune, Sinoe Lake shore near Danube delta, Romania is a Archaic Greek to Early Medieval (657 BCE – 7th c. CE) Mile
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Harbour siltation dynamics – Danube delta progradation
Theories
- 01Histria as Milesian trade bridge to Getae and Histrian coinage in pre-Roman Dobruja
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 657 BCE (Miletus settlers)
- Period
- Archaic Greek to Early Medieval (657 BCE – 7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Milesian Greeks → Getae → Romans → Byzantines
- Purpose
- First Greek colony on Black Sea west coast at Danube mouth (Ister), 60 ha walled polis with temple, harbour now silted 70 km inland
- Abandoned
- 7th c. CE (Slav/Avar)
- Rediscovered
- 1914 Pârvan; continuously
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
657 BCE (Miletus settlers)
Initial construction
c. 1497 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
44.5475° N · 28.7747° E · 50 m · 2 mapped features
Histria Temple of Aphrodite
templeArchaic Greek temple foundations 6th c. BCE
44.5480° N · 28.7755° EHistria Roman Wall and Gate
wallLate Roman enceinte wall and gate
44.5470° N · 28.7740° E
Gallery