History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Cut-out detail; background removed. Bronze head presented as Constantine, MC1072, Capitoline Museums, Rome. It is not known as a find from Serdica. The neck is a later addition.
Bronze head

Serdica · Antiquity

A street by the metro

Why is a Roman street by the metro?

9 scenes · 3 min · Sources · 16

StartListen

Surviving streets and brick supports reveal Roman building and heating methods. An imperial order and a later tradition tell different things about the rulers.

Archaeological remains presented in the modern underpass at Serdika station; modern interventions are also visible.
Archaeological site today. The broad lower floor is modern; old masonry is displayed at the back.

Part 1 · Antiquity

Below the passengers’ feet

The photographs show surviving remains of Roman Serdica. Beside the modern passages are stone paving and remains of walls. This is Serdica, the Roman city beneath today's city. During construction of the second metro line, archaeologists investigated beneath Knyaginya Maria Luiza Boulevard. Work there continued in 2010–2012.

Beneath Nezavisimost Square is a space called the Largo. Part of a street between the eastern and western gates is displayed there. Shops beside it sold food and other goods.

Listen to scene · 1

Synthetic voice · 0:31
Sources · 2
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Античен културно-комуникационен комплекс Сердика Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons
Geographic context, without historical bordersGeographic context, without historical borders12
Geographic context, without historical borders

Part 2 · Antiquity

Two streets between the gates

The Roman town of Serdica developed here in the first century AD. Two main streets linked the city gates. The cardo maximus was the main street running north–south. The decumanus maximus was the main street running east–west.

The map shows the Largo and the nearby round church of St George. A round building like this is called a rotunda.

Listen to scene · 2

Synthetic voice · 0:21
Sources · 6
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София 5 МИНУТИ СОФИЯ: ИМЕТО НА ГРАДА Regional History Museum – Sofia (website) · 2020
  2. Регионален исторически музей – София Античност /1 хилядолетие пр.Хр. – 7 век/ Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  3. Regional History Museum – Sofia Subway Station 8 - II (2009 - 2012)
  4. Visit Sofia / Sofia Tourism Administration Античен културно-комуникационен комплекс Сердика Visit Sofia (municipal tourism website)
  5. Visit Sofia / Sofia Tourism Administration Ротондата „Св. Георги Победоносец” Visit Sofia (municipal tourism website)
  6. Sofia Municipality Rotunda of St George the Victorious · 2018
Brick supports beside the rotunda, interpreted as underfloor heating. The upper floor is missing.

Part 3 · Antiquity

Where did the floor go?

Beside the rotunda are low brick supports arranged in rows. They were not little seats. They held up the floor of a room. Space for warm air remained underneath. This heated the room from below. The system is called a hypocaust.

In the photograph, the upper floor is gone and the supports are visible. They help us understand how the heating worked. We do not need to know who used the room.

1 · Brick support
Supports like this held the upper floor. That floor is now missing.
2 · Space below the floor
Space between the supports allowed warm air underneath. This is part of the hypocaust.
3 · Thick wall
Rows of brick and stone are visible. The photograph alone cannot date every repair.

Listen to scene · 3

Synthetic voice · 0:22
Sources · 3
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. English Heritage Baths and Bathing in Roman Britain
  3. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons

Part 4 · Antiquity

Activity: warmth underfoot

What were the low brick supports for?

  1. Seats beside the street.
  2. A floor with warm air passing underneath.
  3. Writing imperial orders on.
Why is that?

The supports held the floor above a space for warm air. This is a hypocaust.

Correct · A floor with warm air passing underneath.

  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. English Heritage Baths and Bathing in Roman Britain
  3. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons

Listen to scene · 4

Synthetic voice · 0:02
Sources · 3
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. English Heritage Baths and Bathing in Roman Britain
  3. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons
Galerius’s profile according to the photographer’s description; a coin from Cyzicus, not the edict or an established Sofia find.
Coin reverse with a standing figure. The same coin type as the Galerius portrait photograph; not a document of the edict.

Part 5 · Antiquity

Galerius allows Christian assemblies

In AD 311 Emperor Galerius allowed Christians to practise their religion again. He also allowed them to assemble. The order is called an edict. They had to keep order and pray for the ruler and the state.

The document is also known as the “Edict of Serdica”. However, the surviving account names another place: Nicomedia. The order was announced publicly there on 30 April 311. Where it was drawn up remains uncertain.

Listen to scene · 5

Synthetic voice · 0:27
Sources · 3
  1. Lactantius; Latin text and English translation hosted by Université de Fribourg De mortibus persecutorum / Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, chapters 34–35 Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Université de Fribourg
  2. Dimitar Dimitrov The ‘Edicts of Tolerance’ in the Early 4th Century: Debates and Possible Solutions PDF Studia Academica Šumenensia · 2017 · 4 · 23–39
  3. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons
Bronze head presented as Constantine, MC1072, Capitoline Museums, Rome. It is not known as a find from Serdica. The neck is a later addition.

Part 6 · Antiquity

Constantine and his “Rome”

Constantine also stayed in Serdica. The words “Serdica is my Rome” are attributed to him.

The saying survives in a later account, rather than a record of the conversation itself. We therefore present it as a tradition. These are words passed down about the past, whose accuracy we cannot confirm.

Listen to scene · 6

Synthetic voice · 0:18
Sources · 3
  1. Eric C. De Sena Constantine in the Imperial Palace at Serdica PDF Constantine, Sirmium and Early Christianity (Proceedings), ed. Nenad Lemajić · 2014 · 7–24
  2. Musei Capitolini / Roma Capitale Statua colossale bronzea di Costantino: testa Musei Capitolini (collection catalogue)
  3. Musei Capitolini / Roma Capitale Testa colossale di Costantino (Scu 1072) Musei Capitolini (detailed collection catalogue)

Part 7 · Antiquity

Activity: put the evidence in order

Put the events in order, starting with the earliest.

  1. The Roman town develops
  2. Galerius issues his edict
  3. Excavations for the metro
Why is that?

The Roman town developed in the first century AD. The edict of AD 311 came next, followed by the excavations of 2010–2012.

Correct order

  1. The Roman town develops
  2. Galerius issues his edict
  3. Excavations for the metro
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Античност /1 хилядолетие пр.Хр. – 7 век/ Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. Lactantius; Latin text and English translation hosted by Université de Fribourg De mortibus persecutorum / Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, chapters 34–35 Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Université de Fribourg
  3. Регионален исторически музей – София Античен културно-комуникационен комплекс Сердика Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)

Listen to scene · 7

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 3
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Античност /1 хилядолетие пр.Хр. – 7 век/ Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. Lactantius; Latin text and English translation hosted by Université de Fribourg De mortibus persecutorum / Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, chapters 34–35 Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Université de Fribourg
  3. Регионален исторически музей – София Античен културно-комуникационен комплекс Сердика Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
Round brick church among later buildings and archaeological remains; present-day view.
Detail of the rotunda’s present brick wall. The photograph cannot date every repair.
Brick arch and stone elements displayed in an underpass. Not all visible elements are untouched ancient masonry.
Modern glass cover and floor of the Largo with displayed masonry; not a photograph of an ancient road surface.

Part 8 · Antiquity

The round building remains

St George stands in the Presidency courtyard. The municipality dates the round building to the early fourth century. It may have served as a baptistry in early Christian times. This means a place for Christian baptism.

According to one interpretation, the rotunda itself was originally a hot room in a Roman bath. Its original purpose remains uncertain.

Look at the round brick wall and the ruins before it. Today's roof and the large surrounding buildings belong to later history.

1 · Round wall
The circular shape explains the word rotunda. This is the building as it looks today.
2 · Bricks
Rows of red bricks are visible. The photograph cannot prove every row is fourth-century.
3 · Remains before the church
The rotunda belongs to a larger archaeological complex. We do not call every wall a palace.

Listen to scene · 8

Synthetic voice · 0:28
Sources · 5
  1. Sofia Municipality Rotunda of St George the Victorious · 2018
  2. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  3. English Heritage Baths and Bathing in Roman Britain
  4. Eric C. De Sena Constantine in the Imperial Palace at Serdica PDF Constantine, Sirmium and Early Christianity (Proceedings), ed. Nenad Lemajić · 2014 · 7–24
  5. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons

Part 9 · Antiquity

Activity: what each word means

Match each word or saying to its meaning in the story.

  1. Hypocaust · Heating beneath the floor
  2. Edict · An imperial order
  3. “Serdica is my Rome” · Words preserved as a later tradition
  4. Rotunda · A round building
Why is that?

The brick supports belong to heating. An edict is an order. The saying is attributed to Constantine in a late text. Rotunda names a building's shape.

  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. Lactantius; Latin text and English translation hosted by Université de Fribourg De mortibus persecutorum / Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, chapters 34–35 Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Université de Fribourg
  3. Eric C. De Sena Constantine in the Imperial Palace at Serdica PDF Constantine, Sirmium and Early Christianity (Proceedings), ed. Nenad Lemajić · 2014 · 7–24
  4. Sofia Municipality Rotunda of St George the Victorious · 2018

Listen to scene · 9

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 4
  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. Lactantius; Latin text and English translation hosted by Université de Fribourg De mortibus persecutorum / Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, chapters 34–35 Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Université de Fribourg
  3. Eric C. De Sena Constantine in the Imperial Palace at Serdica PDF Constantine, Sirmium and Early Christianity (Proceedings), ed. Nenad Lemajić · 2014 · 7–24
  4. Sofia Municipality Rotunda of St George the Victorious · 2018

A new find for your collection

A stone road, an old text and a later tradition are different kinds of evidence. Each tells us something, but none tells us everything.

Krum and the battle of 811 · PliskaKrum, Nikephoros and a cupCenturies later, Krum captures Serdica.Kazanlak Tomb · KazanlakHands beneath the domePanagyurishte Treasure · PanagyurishteGold from the clay pit

People in this story

GaleriusConstantineSaint George

Sources

  1. Регионален исторически музей – София Античност /1 хилядолетие пр.Хр. – 7 век/ Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  2. Musei Capitolini / Roma Capitale Statua colossale bronzea di Costantino: testa Musei Capitolini (collection catalogue)
  3. Musei Capitolini / Roma Capitale Testa colossale di Costantino (Scu 1072) Musei Capitolini (detailed collection catalogue)
  4. Photographers credited with each image Serdica photographs Wikimedia Commons
  5. Регионален исторически музей – София Античен културно-комуникационен комплекс Сердика Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  6. Visit Sofia / Sofia Tourism Administration Античен културно-комуникационен комплекс Сердика Visit Sofia (municipal tourism website)
  7. Visit Sofia / Sofia Tourism Administration Ротондата „Св. Георги Победоносец” Visit Sofia (municipal tourism website)
  8. Eric C. De Sena Constantine in the Imperial Palace at Serdica PDF Constantine, Sirmium and Early Christianity (Proceedings), ed. Nenad Lemajić · 2014 · 7–24
  9. Dimitar Dimitrov The ‘Edicts of Tolerance’ in the Early 4th Century: Debates and Possible Solutions PDF Studia Academica Šumenensia · 2017 · 4 · 23–39
  10. English Heritage Baths and Bathing in Roman Britain
  11. Lactantius; Latin text and English translation hosted by Université de Fribourg De mortibus persecutorum / Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, chapters 34–35 Bibliothek der Kirchenväter, Université de Fribourg
  12. Regional History Museum – Sofia Subway Station 8 - II (2009 - 2012)
  13. Sofia Municipality Rotunda of St George the Victorious · 2018
  14. Регионален исторически музей – София 5 МИНУТИ СОФИЯ: ИМЕТО НА ГРАДА Regional History Museum – Sofia (website) · 2020
  15. Регионален исторически музей – София Археологически останки в околното пространство на ротондата Свети Георги Regional History Museum – Sofia (website)
  16. National Archaeological Institute with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Exhibition of stone artifacts from the depot of the NAIM – BAS in the Serdica II new subway station NAIM–BAS (website) · 2012

Images

Jastrow · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Jastrow (2006). Ancient sculptor Unknown. Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Bronze head presented as Constantine, MC1072, Capitoline Museums, Rome. It is not known as a find from Serdica. The neck is a later addition. Cut-out detail; background removed.

Ann Wuyts · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Ann Wuyts. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. Archaeological remains presented in the modern underpass at Serdika station; modern interventions are also visible. Processed image.

Sofia Historiy Museum 1928 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Sofia Historiy Museum 1928. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Archaeological site today. The broad lower floor is modern; old masonry is displayed at the back. Processed image.

Bjoertvedt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Brick supports beside the rotunda, interpreted as underfloor heating. The upper floor is missing.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Bjoertvedt · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0. Processed image.

MumblerJamie · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: MumblerJamie. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. Galerius’s profile according to the photographer’s description; a coin from Cyzicus, not the edict or an established Sofia find. Processed image.

MumblerJamie · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: MumblerJamie. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. Coin reverse with a standing figure. The same coin type as the Galerius portrait photograph; not a document of the edict. Processed image.

Jastrow · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Jastrow (2006). Ancient sculptor Unknown. Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Bronze head presented as Constantine, MC1072, Capitoline Museums, Rome. It is not known as a find from Serdica. The neck is a later addition. Processed image.

Ann Wuyts · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Ann Wuyts. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. Round brick church among later buildings and archaeological remains; present-day view. Processed image.

Gitanes232 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Gitanes232. Wikimedia Commons. CC0. Detail of the rotunda’s present brick wall. The photograph cannot date every repair. Processed image.

Elena Chochkova · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Elena Chochkova. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Brick arch and stone elements displayed in an underpass. Not all visible elements are untouched ancient masonry. Processed image.

Laurens R. Krol · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Laurens R. Krol. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 4.0. Modern glass cover and floor of the Largo with displayed masonry; not a photograph of an ancient road surface. Processed image.

Geographic context, without historical borders

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth

Open source

Full attribution

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso