New Roman inscription from time of Emperor Trajan discovered in Aquae Calidae in Bulgaria’s Bourgas
An extremely valuable find adds to the history of one of the most significant ancient complexes in Bulgaria, Aquae Calidae, the Bourgas Regional Historical Museum said on September 14.
During the archaeological work led by Associate Professor Dimcho Momchilov, an inscription was discovered, dating from the early years of the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan (98–117 CE), at the end of the 1st – beginning of the 2nd century.
The artifact is another important piece of evidence for the development and importance of Aquae Calidae during the Roman era and supplements the already known written monuments from the site with valuable information, the museum said.
Well-known Bulgarian epigrapher, Senior Assistant Professor Dr. Nikolay Sharankov from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is working on the reading and scientific interpretation of the newly discovered inscription.
The find is part of a series of significant Roman inscriptions discovered during archaeological excavations at Aquae Calidae in recent years.
Between 2015 and 2022, several particularly valuable Latin inscriptions from the 1st and 2nd centuries were discovered there.
Among them is the inscription from the time of Emperor Nero, discovered in 2015, which testifies to the construction of the baths in the 1st century. Several votive altars with dedications from the 2nd century were also discovered, among which the altar dedicated to the nymphs by Marcus Obsequantus, found in 2022, holds a special place.
The new inscription from the early reign of Emperor Trajan completes this impressive series and fits perfectly into the historical and archaeological context outlined by the discoveries made so far, the museum said.
“The accumulation of epigraphic monuments from the 1st and 2nd centuries makes Aquae Calidis an increasingly significant source for the study of the Roman presence, construction activity and public life in the area,” it said.
(Photo: Regional Historical Museum Bourgas)
