Nikopol

History

The Roman fort ("Shsihmanova" or "Kaleto Fortress") is located on the western hill of Nikopol overlooking the town. It was initially built probably in the 1st c. AD as part of the Limes Moesiae frontier defense system along the Danube, part of the Danubian limes. The garrison before 49 AD was Ala I Scubulorum, a cavalry regiment. The Roman town grew up outside the fort. Two other Roman forts on the Danube were nearby to the west: Ansamus (3 km) and Securisca (5 km). A garrison of one of these was ala Bosporanorum milliaria, a nominally 1000-strong cavalry regiment stationed there before the time of Claudius (r. 41 to 54). Anasamus is included in the Notitia Dignitatum with the garrison of the military unit milites praeventores dating to 378 AD, and where there was also a mansio included on the Tabula Peutingeriana dating from the 3rd c. AD. These milites praeventores are the only unit of this type recorded in the Notitia Dignitatum, and was a special regiment for active defense, including surprise actions, of the border sector. When the border and the Roman Empire in the Lower Danubian lands were strongly threatened by unceasing Hunnic raids in 447, the inhabitants of Ansamus showed unexpected high spirit and enviable military skills, by which they not only repelled an enemy siege, but demanded conditions from Attila himself, according to Priscus. "They did not defend themselves from their walls, but fought battles outside the walls against countless troops and famous Scythian generals. Because of this, the Huns despaired and retreated from the town. The inhabitants of the town made raids far from their fortifications when their scouts informed them that enemies were passing, laden with Roman booty. They attacked them unexpectedly and took their booty.…

Most-observed species

• Eurasian Skylark

  Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  191
• Eurasian Collared-Dove

  Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) · Aves
  142
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  130
• Great Cormorant/European Shag

  Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  128
• Eurasian Magpie

  Pica pica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  111
• White Stork

  Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  104
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  102
• corn bunting

  Emberiza calandra Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  101

Most recent

• M 4.2 — 2017-01-03
  8 km ENE of Lyaskovets, Bulgaria
• M 4.1 — 2014-06-24
  4 km NNW of Corabia, Romania
• M 4.2 — 2008-04-15
  6 km NE of Gabrovo, Bulgaria
• M 3.2 — 2008-01-11
  3 km SE of ?elaru, Romania
• M 2.8 — 2007-12-27
  3 km SE of ?elaru, Romania
• M 2.6 — 2007-12-01
  10 km E of Ruse, Bulgaria