Description : Dinogetia was an ancient Geto-Dacian settlement and later Roman fortress located on the right (southern) bank of the Danube near the place where it joins the Siret. The Dinogetia site is situated in Northern Dobruja 8 kilometres east of Galați, Romania and 2 kilometers north of Gărvan, a village in Jijila commune. The Geto-Dacian settlement was conquered by the Romans and transformed into a boundary fortress. The site was mentioned by Ptolemy. Located in the center of an arc made by the Danube around Macin, Galați and Gura Prutului, the Roman fortress of Dinogetia-Garvãn had initially been a castellum (a small fortress), thereby playing a role in the defensive system on the Lower Danube. Some other important Roman fortresses at the time were those from Barbosi (Galați County) and Troesmis (Tulcea County). Having been of great importance in Constantine the Great's time, the fortress was reinforced since the time of Diocletian. In Anastasius's and Justinian's time some structures were added to the stronghold. But by the end of the 2nd century AD, when the great barbarian invasions had begun, Dinogetia had grown in importance, especially after the abandonment by the Romans of the Dacian province. Its strategic position in the north-western corner of Dobrudja gave the fortress an important role in the defensive system of the province. After a period of rebuilding during the Severan period, in the 3rd century Dinogetia was again a target for the barbarian invaders. After the abandonment of Dacia, the strategic importance of the site had increased. Aurelian, Probus and Diocletian initiated a policy of fortification of the entire Danubian lines, Dinogetia included. During the Late Antiquity Dinogetia had a key role in the defensive system of the Roman province. First Anastasius, then Justinian reinforced the fortress's walls. The attack of the Avars/Kutrigurs under Zabergan's command in 559 had disastrous consequences for the stronghold.
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