European Kingdoms

Bastarnae / Peucini

Another Germanic tribe was that of the Bastarnae, who may have originated from the River Vistula region which now forms part of Poland. They were originally linked by scholars to the Pomeranian culture of Iron Age eastern Europe, but that theory has fallen out of favour more recently. Strabo identifies three sub-tribes which form the Bastarnae; the Atmoni, Peucini, and Sidoni. The Peucini name at least was probably not used until after the tribe had settled around the Danube delta by the end of the first century BC, as it was coined by writers following their colonisation of the Danubian island of Peuce.

By the third century BC they were far removed from this traditional Germanic territory. In fact, they may have had a mixed Celto-Germanic ancestry, possibly being Gaulish (Celtic) speakers in 179 BC, while in the first century AD they were definitely Germanic speakers. By the late first century BC they were to be found in the northern Balkans, in territory which later formed parts of Moldavia, a large part of Moldova, and areas of Transylvania and southern Ukraine. They must have occupied this area for some time prior to 29 BC as they showed some characteristics of Steppe-dwelling Iranians such as Scyths and Sarmatians.

Their earliest mentions in history places them in Macedonia and Pontus, but not as a tribe, merely as mercenaries fighting for Greek rulers. They remained in the Balkans, however, ending up on the northern side of the Danube delta, where they eventually vanished from the historical record.

(Additional information by Edward Dawson.)

179 BC

In writing about events at this time, the Roman historian Livy may suggest a Celtic origin for the Bastarnae. They apparently have similar language and customs to the Illyrian Scordisci tribe, whom Strabo (first century AD) describes as being Celtic. The assumption seems to be that these similarities are due to mingling between the tribes.

In this year Bastarnae warriors serve as mercenaries for Macedonia (their first mention in history). It seems the tribe must have migrated south-eastwards by this period, one of the first Germanic peoples to leave northern Europe at a time when their Teutonic cousins are mainly hugging the North Sea and Baltic Sea coastlines. They are now to be found to the north of the Danube.

If the Bastarnae were ever paid in coin for their efforts in Macedonia then they would have received coins like this, bearing the head of Philip V of Macedonia

Philip V of Macedonia invites in a massive contingent of warriors from the tribe of the Bastarnae. Apparently they are long-time allies of his and are needed to help him defeat the aggressive Dardanii, raiding Thraco-Illyrians who are located along his northern border and whom his diminished army is unable to defeat alone. However, the aged king dies before his allies can arrive. Now unsupported and without supplies, the Bastarnae pillage the land, although they are checked by Thracians who are on the defensive. About half their number return home while the rest press on for Macedonia where they are quartered by Perseus, who uses them in an attack on the Dardanii. The Bastarnae are ultimately defeated and return homewards. While crossing the frozen Danube on foot, the ice gives way and most of their number are drowned.

c.121 - 88 BC

Mithradates of Pontus proves to be a resourceful and powerful regional authority. Over the course of the first thirty years of his reign, he methodically captures and adds neighbouring kingdoms to his own realm, including Crimea, Paphlagonia, and Cappadocia, and makes Armenia an ally. He also employs Germanic mercenaries to ensure his victories which include warriors from the Bastarnae tribe. Unfortunately, their involvement leads Rome to begin campaigning along the western coast of the Black Sea over the course of the rest of the first century BC.

62 - 61 BC

In response to Rome's incursions into the Danube delta, which are seen as a major threat by all the peoples of the region, King Burebista of the Getae has united all of the Getae into a single kingdom. He has also established overlordship of the neighbouring Bastarnae and Sarmatians. Burebista's powerful forces raid regularly into Roman-held territory. In 62 BC the Greek cities rebel against Roman rule, and in the following year the Bastarnae managed to isolate the Roman infantry of the inept proconsul of Macedonia, Gaius Antonius (uncle to Mark Antony). The entire force is massacred. The Roman hold over the region collapses.

44 BC

Burebista is overthrown and the Getan empire fragments into several weaker divisions which are engaged in frequent internecine warfare. It also makes the Roman reconquest of the south bank of the Danube an easier process once Octavian assumes control of the republic.

30s BC

The Bastarnae seem already to have split into two main groups, the lesser of which is known by Greco-Roman writers as the Peucini thanks to their colonisation of the Danube delta and the Danubian island of Peuce. One of the groups (probably the Peucini) has recently subjugated the Triballi, who occupy territory to the south of the Danube between the rivers Ciabrus and Utus.

? - 29 BC

Deldo

King of the Peucini group of Bastarnae. Killed.

29 BC

The Bastarnae cross the Haemus and attack a Thracian tribe known as the Dentheletae who are allies of Rome. General Marcus Licinius Crassus goes to assist the Dentheletae and the Bastarnae withdraw. Crassus follows them and eventually engages them in battle. Caught unawares, the Bastarnae are routed and their king is killed in combat with Crassus. Thousands of Bastarnae perish in the ensuing slaughter and the Peucini, and Moesia itself, are fully subjugated. In general the tribe remains docile under imperial control, until the late third century AD.

c.25 BC

Livy describes the Bastarnae at this time, mentioning a king of theirs who has a name that appears to be Celtic in origin. He also theorises over the tribe's origin, relating to the events of 179 BC.

c.25 BC

Cotto

King of the Bastarnae named by Livy. The name may be Celtic.

AD 77

The Roman geographer Pliny the Elder briefly mentions the 'Bastarnae and other Germans'. They may be a sedentary tribe, but their increasingly close affiliation with the neighbouring Sarmatians implies an increasingly semi-nomadic way of life.

98

Writing at this time, Tacitus mentions a large number of tribes in Germania Magna which include the Peucini 'who are sometimes called Bastarnae'. He describes them as being iron ore miners who may be vassals of the powerful Quadi and that they are like Germans in their language, the way they live, and the dwellings they build, although he is not complimentary about their standard of living. It appears that mixed marriage between them and the Sarmatians is not uncommon, altering their appearance as a people to some extent.

Culturally the Germanic warrior tradition is so strong that submission as slaves or vassals mining iron is pretty much out of the question. That alone implies that culturally the Bastarnae are not Germans. The fact that they speak the German language merely shows they are subjugated and have submitted, which also means they are not German. Germans in the tribal era typically pretend to submit while they wait for the chance to fight, so labelling the Bastarnae as a Gaulish (Celtic) tribe who are dominated by Germans is probably the most accurate description of them.

101 - 106

Emperor Trajan fights two Dacian Wars (the area of the Balkans up to Transylvania) in 101-102 and 105-106 as the Dacians are proving to be an obstacle to Roman expansion in that area. It is possible that some neighbouring tribes, such as the Bastarnae, are also involved, despite having been at peace with Rome for some time.

125

Around this period, the Bastarnae can be found living in two main groups located close to the mouth of the Danube, on the western shore of the Black Sea. The main group occupies territory between the River Hypanis and the upper River Porata immediately north of Dacia and the Danube, while the lesser group, the Peucini, occupies the coastal strip between the Danube and the lower River Tyras. They are perhaps divided by the tribe of the Carpi.

180

The Peucini are part of an invasion of Roman territory along with Dacians and Sarmatians, principally under the leadership of the Marcomanni. Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies while conducting what would have been a final campaign against the alliance. As it is, he dies before the problem can be fully resolved, and Rome's attention turns elsewhere.

c.229

The Greek historian Cassius Dio claims the Bastarnae are Scythians, perhaps misunderstanding their mixed Germanic-Sarmatian heritage of at least a century and-a-half. By this time the Goths have migrated into Moldavia and western Ukraine and form a loose hegemony over the tribes of the region, almost certainly including the Bastarnae.

The Danube delta homeland of the Peucini Bastarnae was just north of the former Greek port of Histria, which may have been conquered when the tribe temporarily held power to the south of the delta region

251

Roman Emperor Gaius Messius Quintus Decius fights the Goths and Sarmatians at the Battle of Abrittus (otherwise known as the Battle of Forum Terebronii). Both he and his son are killed, making him the first emperor to suffer this fate in a battle against non-Roman enemies. Given the Goths' relationship with the tribes of Dacia and Moesia, it seems likely that the Bastarnae are involved, although few specific tribes are named in written records.

267/268 - 269

The Peucini Bastarnae are specifically mentioned in the invasion across the Roman frontier. Part of the barbarian coalition which includes Goths and Heruli, they use their knowledge of boat building from several centuries of living on the Black Sea coast and in the Danube estuary to help build a fleet in the estuary of the River Tyras (now the Dnieper). The force of which they are part sails along the coast to Tomis in Moesia Inferior. They attack the town but are unable to take it. Sailing on, they are frustrated twice more, at Marcianopolis (Devnya in modern Bulgaria) and Thessalonica in Macedonia. Finally, they move into Thrace where they are crushed by Emperor Claudius II at Naissus in 269.

270 - 274

Beginning with Emperor Aurelian, a series of remarkable soldier emperors commences the process of reunifying and restoring the Roman empire. Aurelian defeats the Germanic barbarians who had crossed the Danube, including Goths, Sarmatians and probably Bastarnae, and kills the leader of the Goths. This act begins a shift of power amongst the barbarian tribes.

276 - 282

The Bastarnae are defeated by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus between these dates (in events related by the sixth century historian Zosimus, who also calls them Scythians. However, he tends to lump all the tribes in the region under that term). They are subsequently resettled as laeti on the south bank of the Danube, in Moesia, where they are granted land in the plague-ravaged territory in return for extended military service.

299 - 300

Despite remaining loyal to their oath of allegiance during a subsequent revolt by the other settled tribes in Moesia, the Peucini Bastarnae unite with the Carpi in 299. They lose a battle with Roman emperors Diocletian and Galerius and are forcibly transferred, perhaps in numbers which amount to the entire tribe. This is the last mention of the Peucini in history. They are probably absorbed by the Ostrogoths.

451

The final mention of the Bastarnae is of uncertain reliability. They are included by Gallic nobleman Sidonius Apollinaris in a list of peoples who are following the Huns across Europe. Taking part in the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, they no doubt fall back with Attila's Huns and remain allied until 453, when he dies. Thereafter, the Hunnic empire swiftly breaks up and the Bastarnae disappear into history, possibly resettling to the north of the Danube estuary.

If this mention is correct, it would involve the northern Bastarnae, those to the north of the Danube in what is now Ukraine. They may earlier have been partially absorbed by the Ostrogoths or the neighbouring Sarmatians and then subjugated by the Huns. Any remnant is probably later subsumed within the seventh century kingdom of Bulgaria.