Identification archéologique et historique de l'emporion de Pistiros en Thrace

Abstract

This article for the first time presents arguments supporting the identification of the Pistiros emporion, attested epigraphically in the Great Inscription from the village of Vetren, with the Classical and Hellenistic archaeological site in the region of Adžijska Vodenica, situated 2 km from the place where the inscription was found. The arguments in favour of this identification are as follows: 1) the connection between the find spot of the inscription beyond the ancient route of the Diagonal Serica-Byzantium Road, near the ruins of the Bona Mansio Roman road station, and the historical fortunes of the emporion during the reign of Philip II of Macedonia; 2) the whole ancient tradition of the name Pistiros until its last one, Kapisturia; 3) the etymology of the name Pistiros/Bistiros as a toponym near a large area of water; 4) the interpretation of the unique term epaulistes as a delegate of the Thracian basileus who was obliged to spend the night before traversing the Sued pass (today the Trajan Gate), and to continue on his way to the west on the following day; 5) and the siting of Emporta Belana in accordance with the inscription at the southern foot of the Orbelos mountain (today Mt Belasitza). Historically the Pistiros Emporion can be identified with the chorion Masteira mentioned by Demosthenes. Reliable data for this are given by the historian Anaximenos of Lampsakos. For the first time the identification of the chorion Drongilon is attempted, with the help of the ancient cas- de of Dingion along the middle course of the Evros. The article gives a new interpretation of the term Thracians-tetrachoritai, meaning the Macedonian occupied zone in the Thracian interior, where the four garrisons of Philip II were dislocated: Drongilon, Kabyle, Philippopolis and Masteira. Chronologically this zone was built in at least two stages - in 352/1 and 342/1 BC.