Cumidava (castra)

Castra Cumidava was a fort in the Roman province of Dacia. It is located at 4 km northwest of the city Râşnov, at the common border with the city of Vulcan. The archaeological site is located on the middle terrace of Bârsa River. It includes a defensive line of about 2 hectares.

Cumidava
Ruins of the Northeastern gate (2013)
Location within Romania
Alternative name(s)	Comidava, Komidava [1]
Known also as	Castra of Râșnov
Founded	2nd century AD
Place in the Roman world
Province	Dacia
Administrative unit	Dacia Apulensis
Administrative unit	Dacia Superior
Limes	Transalutanus
Nearby water	(Bârsa)
Directly connected to	(Drumul Carului) • (Brașov-Șprenghi)
Structure
— Stone structure —
Size and area	124 m × 118 m (1.46 [2] ha)
Construction technique	Opus incertum [2]
— Wood and earth structure —
Size and area	114 m × 110 m (1.2 [2] ha)
Stationed military units
— Cohorts —
VI Nova Cumidavensium Alexandrina [3]
Location
Coordinates	45.618707°N 25.441580°E / 45.618707; 25.441580
Altitude	608 m (1,995 ft)
Place name	Grădişte [2] Erdenburg,[2] Eulenburg,[2] Orlenburg [2]
Town	Râșnov
County	Brașov
Country	Romania
Reference
RO-LMI	BV-I-s-A-11283
RO-RAN	40376.01
Site notes
Recognition	National Historical Monument
Discovery year	1856 [2]
Condition	Ruined
Excavation dates	1939 [2] 1969 - 1970 [2]
Archaeologists	M. J. Ackner [2] Mihail Macrea [2] Constantin Daicoviciu [2]

The inscription found in the fort testifies about a Roman cohort of Vindelici who had taken the name Cumidava (Komidava of Ptolemy) from its place of cantonment.[1] The fact that the Romans preserved the Dacian name is quite suggestive.[4] The native Geto-Dacian population, which became the basis for a new civilization, lent its specific characteristics, while the Latin-speaking colonists introduced Roman traits.[5]

The plan of castra.

The relatively small castrum (110 m x 114 m) belonged administratively to the Dacia Apulensis. It was continuously used by only two cohorts Vindelicorum Cumidavensis (cohors VI and cohors VI Nova).[6]

An inscription from 3rd century AD dedicated to Iulia Mamea was found here: [7]

Iuliae Mameae augustae matri Domini nostri sanctissimi Imperatoris Caesaris Severi Alexandi augusti et castrorum senatusque cohors Vindelicorum Piae fidelis Cumidavensis Alexandrianae ex quaestura sua dedicante la sdio Dominatio legato augusti III Daciarum.[7]