Resumen de Riflessioni per una proposta di localizzazione ed identificazione dell’antica città di Castra Martis in Dacia Ripensis
Castra Martis was one of the cities located in Dacia Ripensis, known as a bishopric active between the 4th and 5th century, as well as the spot where took place an important episode of the Gothic war dated to 378. The city is traditionally identified with the Bulgarian site of Kula where researches made it possible to discover a quadriburgium and a castellum erected between the 3rd and 4th century. At the present state of research, it can be noted that the archaeological and historical data make it possible to assume that the proposal to identify Castra Martis with Kula is incorrect as it is clearly based on a wrong interpretation of Ammianus Marcellinus’ Res Gestae. Furthermore, comparing Kula with a site discovered further east, Chomakovtsi, it can be noted that the latter appears to be the most suitable candidate for identifying the city. This site covers 13-15 ha., it is protected by a rampart with protruding towers and its position, in the topography of Dacia Ripensis, appears more suitable to the location of Castra Martis known from literary sources. Analyzing the mentions made by Sozomenus, Procopius and Iordanes it can be deduced in fact that the settlement was located in the eastern area of the province.
