The Military Geography of Moesia inferior

Terrain, Logistics, Strategy

Lemke, Martin

This volume explores the military geography of the Roman province of Moesia Inferior during the first century CE, shedding light on the strategic interplay between geography, culture, and military organisation along the ‘Limes’, the Empire’s frontier along the Lower Danube. Drawing on archaeological, historical, and environmental data, it examines how the activities of the Roman army, including settlement patterns, defensive architecture, and logistical networks, were influenced by terrain, resources, and pre-existing cultural dynamics. The analysis also sheds light on the logistical capabilities of the Roman army, the role played by the frontier garrisons, and the evolving strategy of Rome in capturing, securing, and developing the region. Central to the volume is a comprehensive site gazetteer that reveals how the clustering of settlements and fortifications was heavily dependent on the natural environment, and its impact on both economy and strategy with the region. By situating military geography within broader socio-political and environmental contexts, the book contributes to a deeper understanding of Roman frontier policy, provincial development, and the lived experience of imperial borderlands.