A Decolonial View

By Felicia Ardelean

Introduction: Reframing the Roman Conquest

The Roman conquest of Dacia was more than just a military victory—it was a profound act of colonization that reshaped the region’s identity. While often framed as a story of civilization and progress, this transformation raises important questions about cultural erasure, power, and resistance. This blog post examines the contrast between Sarmizegetusa Regia, the sacred heart of Dacia, and Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, the Roman-imposed colony, to challenge dominant narratives of conquest and explore the lasting impacts of Roman imperialism through a decolonial lens.

Rome’s Triumph and Transformation

After intense wars (101–102 AD, 105–106 AD), Emperor Trajan conquered Dacia, reshaping its landscape. Dacian sanctuaries were destroyed, the native population declined significantly, and about 40.000 Roman troops settled in. Unlike other provinces, Dacia saw rapid colonization rather than gradual assimilation. Roman historian Flavius Eutropius documented this rapid transformation, with Sarmizegetusa serving as a notable example.

Two Sarmizegetusas: Dacian vs. Roman

Before the Roman conquest, Sarmizegetusa Regia was the capital and most significant military, religious, and political centre of the Dacian kingdom. Situated in the Orăștie Mountains, it served as the stronghold of Dacian kings, including Decebal, and housed grand sanctuaries dedicated to their deities. The city was heavily fortified, featuring an advanced defensive system and impressive stone structures.

Following Trajan’s victory in 106 AD, the Romans sought to establish their dominance by creating a new city: Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa. This settlement, about 40 km away from the former Dacian capital, was built as a colony for Roman veterans and functioned as an administrative and economic centre rather than a capital in the modern sense. Unlike Sarmizegetusa Regia, which was a sacred and strategic centre for the Dacians, the Roman Sarmizegetusa symbolized colonization, urban planning, and the cultural transformation of Dacia.

 Map of the Two Sarmizegetusas (Source: istorieveche.ro)

A Symbolic Stronghold

The story of Dacia’s transformation is vividly depicted on Trajan’s Column in Rome. This monumental relief, completed in 113 AD, chronicles the conquest through detailed carvings of battles, fortifications, and Roman engineering achievements. While Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa itself is not explicitly represented, the column portrays key moments of Romanization, including military encampments, road construction, and the establishment of new settlements—elements essential to Dacia’s transformation.

 

Trajan’s campaign in Dacia, Sarmatian and Roman cavalry at battle during Trajan’s campaign in Dacia, relief from Trajan’s Column, Rome. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)

Founded in 106 AD, Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Dacica Sarmizegetusa was more than a city—it was Rome’s statement of power. Strategically placed between Transylvania and the Danube, it also held symbolic weight, reclaiming the site of past Roman defeats. The Romans kept its Dacian name, cementing their rule over the former kingdom.

Initially a military fortress, it grew into an administrative and economic centre. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the capital of Roman Dacia but served as the province’s administrative headquarters. Yet, the true importance of this distant territory to Rome remains a subject of debate. Was it purely strategic, or did it hold deeper economic or symbolic value? Its true significance remains an open question.

Conclusion: Decolonizing the Narrative

Today, the ruins of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa in Romania offer a glimpse into a once-thriving Roman settlement. Visitors can explore ancient forums, streets, and remnants of imperial ambitions. However, beyond the grandeur of Roman engineering lies a more profound story—the material legacy of imperial expansion. The transformation of Sarmizegetusa was not simply an urban project; it was an act of colonial domination that imposed a new order on conquered people. By reflecting on this history, we can challenge the traditional glorification of empire and consider the perspectives of those whose voices were silenced. Re-examining Rome’s legacy in Dacia through a decolonial lens deepens our understanding of the broader patterns of conquest, resistance, and cultural survival that continue to shape our world today.

The Ancient Ruins of Sarmizegetusa (Source: PeMeleaguri.ro)

For Further Reading

Bărbulescu, Mihai et al., Istoria României [History of Romania]. Bucharest: Corint Educațional, 2014. 

Cassius, Dio. Roman History, Books 67–68. Translated by Earnest Cary. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1925. 

Eutropius, Flavius. Breviarium Historiae Romanae. Translated by H.W. Bird. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 1993.

MacKendrick, Paul. The Dacian Stones Speak. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1975.

Oțetea, Andrei. Istoria României [History of Romania]. Bucharest: Editura Științifică, 1970.