Nicopolis ad Istrum

Nicopolis ad Istrum or Nicopolis ad Iatrum was a Roman and Early Byzantine town [1]. Its ruins are located at the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria [1]. The town reached its zenith during the reigns of Hadrian, the Antonines and the Severan dynasty [1]. The city was founded by Trajan around 102–106 in memory of his victory in the Dacian Wars over the Roxolani and also later victories in 105 [1]. The monumental character of the city however dates mainly to Hadrian and Antoninus Pius and inscriptions found are no earlier than 136 when the name Ulpia Nicopolis ad Istrum was in use [1]. The classical town was planned according to the orthogonal system [1]. The agora contained a statue of Trajan on horseback as well as other marble statues and an Ionic colonnade [1]. The city also had a three-nave basilica, a bouleuterion, a temple of Cybele, a small odeon, thermae (public baths) as well as a unique Roman building inscribed with termoperiatos, a heated building with shops and enclosed space for walks and business meetings [1].