Dyrrachium’s Turbulent Past

Evidence of Burning and Destruction in the Late 2ⁿᵈ Century CE

Abstract

This article delves into excavations conducted in Dyrrachium, uncovering evidence of burning, destruction, and reconstruction from the latter half of the 2ⁿᵈ century C.E. The author aims to identify the causes behind these events and scrutinizes Dyrrachium’s socio-economic development during the Roman Imperial era. Despite a lack of literary descriptions for the documented urban destruction, the author considers causal links with contemporary historical events such as the Marcomannic Wars, the Costoboci raids and the Antonine plague. While anomalies are evident in Dyrrachium and possibly two other cities, conclusive proof for a singular event causing such destruction remains elusive. This article provides valuable insights into Dyrrachium’s complex history, emphasizing the challenges in interpreting archaeological evidence. Through a comprehensive examination of economic, social, and historical factors, the author offers a nuanced understanding of the events shaping the city during the Roman Imperial period, shedding light on its socio-economic development and proposing explanations for recorded destruction sequences.