A pugio discovered in the curvature Subcarpathians (Marginea Pădurii, Prahova county) Cover Image

Un pugio descoperit în Subcarpații Curburii (Marginea Pădurii, jud. Prahova)
A pugio discovered in the curvature Subcarpathians (Marginea Pădurii, Prahova county)

Author(s): Andrei-Cătălin Dîscă, Bogdan Ciupercă
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Military history, Ancient World
Published by: MUZEUL NAȚIONAL DE ISTORIE A ROMÂNIEI
Keywords: Dacia, Moesia; Roman army; pugio; Marginea Pădurii; Prahova county;

Summary/Abstract: To the north of Marginea Pădurii village, on the peaks of the first Subcarpathian hills, has recently been discovered an iron pugio, a type of dagger used from the period of the Late Republic, towards the mid third century to equip the Roman armies. This discovery, on a site located close to the top of a hill from where one could oversee both Cricovul Sărat and Nișcov Valleys, as well as the Romanian Plain, triggered a couple of questions in respect with the Roman presence in the area and the strategies employed by the Roman army in order to control this territory. Within the time span of the Roman rule over the territory between the Danube River and the Carpathian Mountains this area had a key role, connecting through Teleajen Valley the territory south of the Carpathians and intra- Carpathian area. The Teleajen Valley was in fact one of the main routes which connected the provinces Dacia and Moesia Inferior, its importance for the Romans being reflected by the military forts from Târgșoru Vechi, Mălăiești, Drajna de Sus and Pietroasele, established in this area close to Teleajen and Buzău Valleys. The communications between these forts and the above-mentioned valleys were possible through two alternative routes, one straight through the Subcarpathian hills, along Cricovului Sărat and Nișcov Valleys, and the other through the Romanian Plain. The site where the dagger presented in this paper was found is located next to a place from where one could oversee both routes.

  • Issue Year: XXVIII/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 447-454
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Romanian
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