Entrance to the forum of Trajan – Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa

Few villages in the world shelter the ruins of the capital of an imperial province. Situated in the western part of Hațeg Country, the small village of Sarmizegetusa keeps alive the memory of the past.

Founded between 109-110 by the governor Decimus Terentius Scaurianus, on behalf of Emperor Trajan, Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa was the temporary capital of Roman Dacia and the place where the financial procurator of the province had its headquarters. Later, Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa received the epithet of metropolis.

Turn back time, almost 2000 years ago! You are in Trajan's Forum, the center of the Roman city. The entrance was through a monumental gate, flanked by two public fountains decorated with statues of Roman deities. In the marble-paved courtyard stood the pedestals of statues of emperors who played a role in the life of the city or the province. From the courtyard, one passed into the basilica, flanked by a podium (tribunalium) where citizens made speeches and where the two magistrates (duumviri) judged. In the curia, members of the city council debated urban issues. 

The ruins still speak of grandiose architecture and the advanced level of Roman technology.

Story of the place

The religious ritual of founding the Roman city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa is depicted on one of the first coins minted in the province of Dacia, a bronze sestertius. On the obverse, we can see the face of Emperor Trajan, and on the reverse is, presumably, Governor Decimus Terentius Scaurianus. 

Like Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, Trajan's representative plowed the primordial furrow with a plow to which a bull and a white cow, adorned with horns, were yoked. Thus, the symbolic place where the city walls would be built was marked.

Architectural features

The Roman city had a rectangular shape, with dimensions of approximately 600 x 500 m. The city walls were built of stone, with a height of about 5 m. Rectangular towers stood at the corners. 

The forum was located at the intersection of the city's two main roads. The entrance, composed of an arch with four openings (tetrapylon), ensured passage to its courtyard. On the pediment of the gate, there may have been the inscription attesting to the foundation of the forum, which can still be seen today at the entrance to the Sarmizegetusa Archaeological Museum. 

In the center of the city were not only administrative buildings but also a commercial area represented by several shops (taberna).

Unique Experiences

Another monumental construction, located outside the city walls of the Roman city, is the amphitheater. It had an ellipsoidal shape and impressive dimensions. Its axes were 88 and 69 m long, respectively. In the central area of the arena was a chamber that housed the pegma, a machine that helped produce special effects during performances. 

In one of the rooms of the Sarmizegetusa Archaeological Museum, you will find the inscription mentioning Caius Valerius Maximus, one of those who worked with the pegma. 

There are also other vestiges worthy of attention, so I invite you to discover them yourself at the Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa archaeological site.