Since school we know that the Northern Black Sea coast of Ukraine is literally «stuffed» with monuments of antiquity. Greek colonies — Khersonesos and Pantikapej, Tyre and Olbia have already become a parable in the language. But not much is known about the Romans, who were just as keenly interested in the fertile territories for development. One of those rare artifacts left by the subjects of the Roman Empire in the Crimea was the Fortress of Harax.
Fortification fortification from the heirs of Remus and Romulus is located on the territory of the current village Gaspra, which is part of the area of the so-called Big Yalta. Haraks fortress was built on Cape Ai-Todor, in one of the most strategically favorable places of the Crimean peninsula. It is believed that here was a Roman military camp, where legionaries were grouped and trained. From here they went on raids against the Taurians, Scythians and Hellenes, who were the first to grab a piece of the «Crimean pie».
The Roman fortification on Ai Tudor was created thanks to the initiative of Emperor Vespasian, who did not disdain any means to replenish the budget of the empire. He was the author of the tax on public toilets and the phrase that «money doesn’t smell»! The enterprising emperor sent a whole army to the Crimea under the command of the legate Plautius Silvanus. They were tasked with subduing the Tavro-Scythians, taking Chersonesos and fortifying themselves on the South Coast.
Concretely construction of fort Harax was engaged Claudius legion of the Mezian fleet. This is the I century AD. Their work was continued by soldiers of the Italic Legion in the II century. These data became known thanks to the stamps on the tiles recovered during excavations. In the 3rd century, the Romans left Harax. The warriors were sent to suppress the rebellious colony of Moesia, the territory of the modern Balkan Peninsula. Leaving, the Romans destroyed the viceroy’s palace and the water system. After them on the territory of the fortress Haraks for some time lived Goths, and at the end of the XIX century the ancient fort «occupied» by the Romanov family, buying land in Gaspra for a villa.
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By the way, thanks to the members of the imperial family — Prince Mikhail Nikolaevich and his son, the first archaeological research began in this place. The princes personally participated in the excavations and
created a museum. Mr. and then citizen Blavatsky, a key expert on ancient art in the USSR, is considered to be the second person in unlocking the secrets of the Haraks fortress.
So, Princes Romanovs and Vladimir Blavatsky extracted from the ground and presented to the world the following artifacts.
1. Two rows of walls. They protected the Roman garrison from the north. From the south the fort was protected by a steep cliff to the Black Sea.
2. The remains of a cyclopean structure — a wall with three gates. Some researchers attribute it to the Taureans.
3. Two barracks for 500 soldiers and several dwellings.
4. Columns — the remains of the palace of the viceroy.
5. A lighthouse, and below it the foundations of a praetorium with an altar of Jupiter.
6. Antique fitness center: palestra — gymnasium and thermae with two pools. The floor of the latter was lined with mosaics, on the walls — frescoes.
7. Public swimming pool with nymphaeum and water supply system.
This «Roman» attraction of Crimea occupies a territory of 4.5 hectares. Many of its objects are in a dilapidated state. Unfortunately, black archaeologists work more successfully than the state, so the main «harvest» of gems, coins, ceramics, fibulae, weapons and statues are extracted by them. Having come to holiday in Gaspra, you will be able to form your own opinion about this monument, as well as to feel the atmosphere of the former Roman military town.