Mountains, falx and the last free kingdom.
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1. Raid into Moesia
Dacia vs Rome
Historical Briefing: The Dacians of the Carpathians raided across the Danube into Roman Moesia, provoking Rome's wars of conquest. Their kingdom, rich in gold and protected by mountains, was a persistent threat on Rome's frontier.
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2. First Tapae: Ambush and Resistance
Dacia vs Rome · Historical Battle (88 AD)
Historical Briefing: At the First Battle of Tapae in 88 AD, the Roman general Tettius Iulianus defeated King Decebalus at the mountain gateway into Dacia during Domitian's war. The victory avenged earlier Roman disasters, but rugged terrain and trouble on other frontiers kept Rome from pressing on to the Dacian capital.
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3. Second Tapae: Trajan Advances
Dacia vs Rome · Historical Battle (101 AD)
Historical Briefing: In 101 AD, Trajan returned in force and renewed the fight at Tapae, forcing the pass toward the Dacian heartland. The road to Sarmizegetusa was opened at heavy cost.
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4. Mountain Fortresses
Dacia vs Rome
Historical Briefing: Dacian power rested on hilltop fortresses built in the distinctive murus dacicus, turning every ridge of the Orăștie Mountains into a siege for the legions. Terrain and fortification were the kingdom's true army.
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5. Sarmizegetusa: Last Stand
Dacia vs Rome · Historical Battle (106 AD)
Historical Briefing: In 106 AD, Sarmizegetusa Regia, the fortified Dacian capital, fell to Trajan after a siege cut its water supply. King Decebalus took his own life rather than be captured, ending Dacian independence.