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The Tropaeum Traiani is a monument built in 109 in then
Moesia Inferior, to commemorate Roman Emperor Trajan’s
victory over the Dacians, in 101, in the Battle of Tapae. The
monument was erected on the place where legio XXI Rapax
had previously been crushed (92 AD).
The power centers of the Dacian elite
reflected strong relationships with the
great states of their day. Most visibly
this took shape in the form of stonework
citadels and temples, erected in strategic
river valleys and built in Hellenstic
styles. Imported Greek goods and coins
(likely from Black Sea tributary cities)
circulated to these strongholds during
the reign of the 1st Century BC Dacian
king Burebista, and noticeable trade
with Rome began around that time as
well. The last half of the next century
witnessed an increased influx of Roman
coins, tools, and craftsmen, especially
when the Dacians fell solidly within the
orbit of the empire as a client state.
SOCIETy AND RELIGION
Two classes ruled the Dacians: the
Tarabostes and the Capillati (also known
as Pileati and Comati, respectively).
The higher-ranked Tarabostes derived
their name from the headpieces they
wore, presumably both ornate helms and
Phrygian caps. The Capillati name means
‘long hair’. As the ancient sources only
mention the two elite strata, it has been
argued that they may be the only ‘true’
Dacians.
The Tarabostes exercised control from
the wealthy regional/tribal centers and
populated the limited ranks of royalty
and priests. They closely linked temporal
and religious power. The high priests
maintained some measure of independent
authority from (if not over) the nobility,
including kings. They worshipped
Zamolxis, a resurrected earth (or earthly)
deity and believed in the immortal soul.
The religion’s tenets espoused a purified
lifestyle that allegedly proscribed the
consumption of meat and wine. While the
greater Dacian population might not have
been monotheistic adherents of Zamolxis,
documentary and archaeological
evidence suggests his cult enjoyed state
sponsorship and the uppermost classes
set themselves apart spiritually as well as
materially.
The Capillati supervised “those
who work with oxen,” according to
Trajan’s physician, Kriton. Most likely
these lesser Dacian elite were village
chieftains, and possibly professional
warriors.
ThE DACIANS AT WAR
The Dacian arsenal is best known
for the falx, a curved blade set into
a wooden handle. Some were small
enough to be wielded in one hand, but
On the monument there were 54 metopes (two pictured
above) depicting Roman legions fighting against enemies;
48 of these metopes are now preserved in the museum
nearby. The monument was erected as a warning to the
tribes outside this newly conquered province.
the intimidating monsters were large
blades with 3’ handles, akin to some
kind of polearm. The terrible falx could
understandably deliver vicious blows
against even well-armored legionaries.
It has long been believed that Trajan’s
soldiers attempted to better defend
themselves against this weapon by
attaching ad hoc reinforcements to
their helmets and adapting gladiator
‘manicae’ (overlapping metal bands
protecting the length of the arm) for
military use. Recent reinterpretation of
archaeological evidence in other parts of
Europe suggests its use was not limited to
Rome’s last wars with Dacia.
The Dacians also used draco standards,
most likely inspired by their Sarmatian
neighbors. Open-mouthed metal-headed
beasts (such as wolves and dragons)
rested upon wooden poles, with
windsocks attached to their backs. The
Roman army utilized similar devices in
later centuries.
The Dacians defended their forts with
bolt-throwing scorpions, captured or
otherwise, during Trajan’s campaigns
(and possibly earlier). Other Roman
arms and equipment made their way into
Dacian hands as well.