PREMIÈRES SOURCES LITTÉRAIRES MÉDIÉVALES SUR LE NOM DES POPULATIONS DU NORD DU DANUBE
EARLY MEDIEVAL LITERARY SOURCES ON THE NAMES OF THE NORTHERN DANUBE POPULATIONS

Summary/Abstract: After the Aurelian retreat, urban life began to degrade. Due to the attacks of migrant populations, most of the European cities narrowed down, being gradually surrounded by defense walls. The territory of former Dacia was no exception to this situation, as a result of the diminishing of the economic activities in the Empire. Urban life continued up to the end of the 4th century, in significant precarious conditions in comparison with the preceding ones. The impact with migrant populations (the Goths, the Huns) and the mixing of free Dacian people led to the graduation degradation of cities, up to their definitive abandonment. In what regards the manner of life of Dacian-Roman indigenous communities, they has kept their specific to a great extent, given the permanent connections with the Empire. As for Dobrogea, urban life continued here until years 602-614. Even later on, according to the theories of Theophanes Confessor, one can notice that this region was a part of the Empire. The permanent connection between the North and South of the Danube led to periods of relative prosperity for certain cities. Beginning with the 7th century (602), one can no longer talk about cities on the left bank of the Danube as, following a considerable process of degradation, the fall of borders have them the finishing stroke. In this respect, regarding the localities nearby the river, we believe that the fact that the Empire’s defense is no longer based on the backup of frontiers/ borders, but was achieved thoroughly has its importance, being more efficient given the new conditions. The favorable natural environment protected the indigenous population from the migrants’ attacks. In this respect, one can notice the role played by forests and mountains, where indigenous populations would withdraw in case of danger (as the outsiders/ foreigners would not establish themselves in forests due to the fact that in the mountain they did not have enough water for large animals). Moreover, the Danube was mentioned several times in the epoch’s sources.

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