Antique period of settlement of the territory of the eastern Crimea. Ancient peoples of Crimea

VI-V centuries BC. e. - the time when Scythian tribes dominated the expanses of the Crimean steppes, and newcomers from Hellas mastered the coast. Natives of Miletus founded Theodosia and Panticapaeum, on the site of which Kerch is now located. Chersonese, whose remains are located on the territory of modern Sevastopol, was built on the site of the Taurus settlement by the Greeks who came from Heraclea. The Greeks turned the ancient settlement of the Sinds into the once flourishing Gorgippia, which was part of the Bosporan kingdom. The remains of the streets of Gorgippia can still be seen in Anapa today.

Chersonese Tauride and the Kingdom of Bosporus

By the middle of the 5th century BC. e. On the coast of the Black Sea, two Greek states were formed - the slave-owning republic of Tauric Chersonesos and the autocratic Bosporan kingdom. Under the rule of Chersonese, the western territories united - now the cities of Evpatoria (other Kerkinitida), Chernomorskoe, Kalos-Limeni are located there. The city was surrounded by powerful stone fortifications.

The capital of the Bosporus kingdom was located in Panticapaeum. The city's Acropolis towered on Mount Mithridates. Archaeologists discovered not far from the ancient Acropolis the Tsarsky and Melek-Chesmensky barrows, several stone crypts and other most valuable monuments of architecture and material culture of the Bosporus kingdom.

Crimea in ancient sources

Together with the Greek colonists who founded hundreds of settlements (polises), the art of building ships, growing olive trees and vines, creating majestic temples, stadiums and theaters came to the coast of Cimmeria-Tavria. In the monuments of ancient literature, many lines are devoted to the Crimea. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, Cimmeria is mentioned, completely unreasonably called a sad country in which clouds and damp fog reign. The Crimean material served Euripides as the basis for creating the drama Iphigenia in Tauris. The father of history Herodotus wrote about the Taurians and Scythians in the 5th century BC. e.

Neapolis Scythian

By the end of the III century BC. e. Scythian territories began to shrink under the onslaught of the Sarmatian tribes. The capital of the Scythian state was Neapolis - Scythian Naples, which arose on the Salgir River near modern Simferopol.

A year ago, the Crimean peninsula was an integral part of the state of Ukraine. But after March 16, 2014, he changed his "place of registration" and became part of the Russian Federation. Therefore, we can explain the increased interest in how the Crimea developed. The history of the peninsula is very turbulent and eventful.

The first inhabitants of the ancient land

The history of the peoples of Crimea has several millennia. On the territory of the peninsula, researchers discovered the remains of ancient people who lived in the Paleolithic era. Near the sites of Kiik-Koba and Staroselye, archaeologists found the bones of people who inhabited this area at that time.

In the first millennium BC, Cimmerians, Taurians and Scythians lived here. By the name of one nationality, this territory, or rather its mountainous and coastal parts, is still called Taurica, Tavria or Tauris. Ancient people were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding on this not very fertile land, as well as hunting and fishing. The world was new, fresh and cloudless.

Greeks, Romans and Goths

But for some ancient states, the sunny Crimea turned out to be very attractive in terms of location. The history of the peninsula also has Greek echoes. Around the 6th-5th centuries, the Greeks began to actively populate this territory. They founded entire colonies here, after which the first states appeared. The Greeks brought with them the benefits of civilization: they actively built temples and theaters, stadiums and baths. At this time, shipbuilding began to develop here. It is with the Greeks that historians associate the development of viticulture. The Greeks also planted olive trees here and collected oil. We can safely say that with the arrival of the Greeks, the history of the development of Crimea received a new impetus.

But a few centuries later, powerful Rome laid eyes on this territory and captured part of the coast. This takeover lasted until the 6th century AD. But the greatest damage to the development of the peninsula was caused by the tribes of the Goths, who invaded in the 3rd-4th centuries and thanks to which the Greek states collapsed. And although the Goths were soon forced out by other nationalities, the development of the Crimea slowed down very much at that time.

Khazaria and Tmutarakan

Crimea is also called ancient Khazaria, and in some Russian chronicles this territory is called Tmutarakan. And these are not at all figurative names of the area on which Crimea was located. The history of the peninsula has left in speech those toponymic names that at one time or another were called this piece of land. Starting from the 5th century, the entire Crimea falls under the harsh Byzantine influence. But already in the 7th century, the entire territory of the peninsula (except for Chersonese) was in a powerful and strong state. That is why in Western Europe the name "Khazaria" is found in many manuscripts. But Russia and Khazaria compete all the time, and in the year 960 the Russian history of Crimea begins. The Khaganate was defeated, and all the Khazar possessions were subordinated to the Old Russian state. Now this territory is called Darkness.

By the way, it was here that Prince Vladimir of Kyiv, who occupied Kherson (Korsun), was officially baptized in 988.

Tatar-Mongolian trace

Since the 13th century, the history of the annexation of Crimea has again developed according to a military scenario: the Mongol-Tatars invade the peninsula.

Here the Crimean ulus is formed - one of the divisions of the Golden Horde. After the Golden Horde disintegrates, in 1443 it appears on the territory of the peninsula. In 1475, it completely falls under the influence of Turkey. It is from here that numerous raids are made on Polish, Russian and Ukrainian lands. Moreover, already at the end of the 15th century, these invasions become massive and threaten the integrity of both the Muscovite state and Poland. Basically, the Turks hunted for cheap labor: they captured people and sold them into slavery in the slave markets of Turkey. One of the reasons for the creation of the Zaporizhzhya Sich in 1554 was to resist these seizures.

Russian history

The history of the transfer of Crimea to Russia continues in 1774, when the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace treaty was concluded. After the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774, almost 300 years of Ottoman rule came to an end. The Turks abandoned the Crimea. It was at this time that the largest cities of Sevastopol and Simferopol appeared on the peninsula. Crimea is developing rapidly, money is being invested here, the rapid flourishing of industry and trade begins.

But Turkey did not leave plans to regain this attractive territory and prepared for a new war. We must pay tribute to the Russian army, which did not allow this to be done. After another war in 1791, the Iasi peace treaty was signed.

Volitional decision of Catherine II

So, in fact, the peninsula has now become part of a powerful empire, whose name is Russia. Crimea, whose history included many transitions from hand to hand, needed powerful protection. The acquired southern lands needed to be protected, ensuring the security of the borders. Empress Catherine II instructed Prince Potemkin to study all the advantages and disadvantages of annexing the Crimea. In 1782, Potemkin wrote a letter to the Empress, in which he insisted on making an important decision. Catherine agrees with his arguments. She understands how important Crimea is both for solving internal state problems and from a foreign policy perspective.

On April 8, 1783, Catherine II issues a manifesto on the annexation of Crimea. It was a fateful document. It was from this moment, from this date that Russia, Crimea, the history of the empire and the peninsula were closely intertwined for many centuries. According to the Manifesto, all Crimean residents were promised the protection of this territory from enemies, the preservation of property and faith.

True, the Turks recognized the fact of the annexation of Crimea to Russia only eight months later. All this time the situation around the peninsula was extremely tense. When the Manifesto was promulgated, then at first the clergy swore allegiance to the Russian Empire, and only then - the entire population. On the peninsula, solemn celebrations, feasts were held, games and races were held, volleys of cannon salute were fired into the air. As contemporaries noted, the entire Crimea with joy and jubilation passed into the Russian Empire.

Since then, Crimea, the history of the peninsula and the way of life of its population have been inextricably linked with all the events that took place in the Russian Empire.

A powerful impetus for development

A brief history of Crimea after joining the Russian Empire can be described in one word - "flourishing". Industry and agriculture, winemaking, viticulture begin to develop rapidly here. Fish and salt industries appear in the cities, the people are actively developing trade relations.

Since the Crimea is located in a very warm and favorable climate, many rich people wanted to get land here. Nobles, members of the royal family, industrialists considered it an honor to establish a family estate on the territory of the peninsula. In the 19th - early 20th century, the rapid flowering of architecture begins here. Industrial magnates, royalty, the elite of Russia are building entire palaces here, laying out beautiful parks that have been preserved on the territory of Crimea to this day. And after the nobility, people of art, actors, singers, artists, theatergoers reached out to the peninsula. Crimea becomes the cultural Mecca of the Russian Empire.

Do not forget about the healing climate of the peninsula. Since the doctors proved that the air of the Crimea is extremely favorable for the treatment of tuberculosis, a mass pilgrimage began here for those wishing to be cured of this deadly disease. Crimea is becoming attractive not only for bohemian holidays, but also for health tourism.

Together with the whole country

At the beginning of the 20th century, the peninsula developed along with the whole country. The October Revolution did not pass him, and the civil war that followed. It was from the Crimea (Yalta, Sevastopol, Feodosia) that the last ships and ships left Russia, on which the Russian intelligentsia left Russia. It was in this place that a mass exodus of the White Guards was observed. The country was creating a new system, and Crimea did not lag behind.

It was in the 20s of the last century that the transformation of the Crimea into an all-Union health resort took place. In 1919, the Bolsheviks adopted the "Decree of the Council of People's Commissars on medical areas of national importance." Crimea is inscribed in it with a red line. A year later, another important document was signed - the decree "On the use of Crimea for the treatment of workers."

Until the war, the territory of the peninsula was used as a resort for tuberculosis patients. In Yalta, in 1922, a specialized Institute of Tuberculosis was even opened. Funding was at the proper level, and soon this research institute becomes the country's main center for pulmonary surgery.

Landmark Crimean Conference

During the Great Patriotic War, the peninsula became the scene of massive military operations. Here they fought on land and at sea, in the air and in the mountains. Two cities - Kerch and Sevastopol - received the title of Hero Cities for their significant contribution to the victory over fascism.

True, not all the peoples inhabiting the multinational Crimea fought on the side of the Soviet Army. Some representatives openly supported the invaders. That is why in 1944 Stalin issued a decree on the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people from the Crimea. Hundreds of trains transported an entire nation to Central Asia in one day.

Crimea went down in world history due to the fact that in February 1945 the Yalta Conference was held in the Livadia Palace. The leaders of the three superpowers - Stalin (USSR), Roosevelt (USA) and Churchill (Great Britain) - signed in Crimea important international documents that determined the world order for long post-war decades.

Crimea - Ukrainian

In 1954, a new milestone begins. The Soviet leadership decides to transfer Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR. The history of the peninsula begins to develop according to a new scenario. The initiative came personally from the then head of the CPSU, Nikita Khrushchev.

This was done for a round date: that year the country celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Pereyaslav Rada. To commemorate this historical date and demonstrate that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are united, Crimea was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR. And now it began to be considered as a whole and a part of the whole couple "Ukraine - Crimea". The history of the peninsula begins to be described in modern chronicles from scratch.

Whether this decision was economically justified, whether it was worth taking such a step then - at that time such questions did not even arise. Since the Soviet Union was united, no one attached particular importance to whether Crimea would be part of the RSFSR or the Ukrainian SSR.

Autonomy within Ukraine

When an independent Ukrainian state was formed, Crimea received the status of autonomy. In September 1991, the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Republic was adopted. And on December 1, 1991, a referendum was held, in which 54% of the inhabitants of Crimea supported the independence of Ukraine. In May of the following year, the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea was adopted, and in February 1994, the Crimeans elected the first President of the Republic of Crimea. They became Yuri Meshkov.

It was during the years of perestroika that disputes began to arise more and more often that Khrushchev illegally gave Crimea to Ukraine. Pro-Russian sentiments on the peninsula were very strong. Therefore, as soon as the opportunity arose, Crimea returned to Russia again.

Fateful March 2014

While a large-scale state crisis began to grow in Ukraine in late 2013 - early 2014, voices in Crimea were heard more and more strongly that the peninsula should be returned to Russia. On the night of February 26-27, unknown people raised the Russian flag over the building of the Supreme Council of Crimea.

The Supreme Council of Crimea and the Sevastopol City Council adopt a declaration on the independence of Crimea. At the same time, the idea to hold an all-Crimean referendum was voiced. It was originally scheduled for March 31, but then moved two weeks earlier - to March 16. The results of the Crimean referendum were impressive: 96.6% of voters voted in favor. The overall level of support for this decision of the peninsula was 81.3%.

The modern history of Crimea continues to take shape before our eyes. Not all countries have yet recognized the status of Crimea. But Crimeans live with faith in a brighter future.

Crimea is a striking peninsula, a place where the history of past centuries and the present are harmoniously intertwined. Here, right in the center of modern cities, you can see the monuments of past centuries.

"Fragments" of the past in the Crimean cities

The ruins of large settlements, the remains of fortresses, burial mounds, places of worship are found in almost every city or its environs. Most of the ancient buildings today are considered monuments of history and archeology. Many have been given the status of reserves, research work is being carried out on their territory and museums are operating.

How developed the peninsula was already in ancient times, allows you to understand the familiarity even with a short list of ancient settlements. The most famous today are the following objects:

Panticapaeum is the oldest of the Greek cities in the Crimea. Founded at the end of the 7th century BC, it is located in the center of modern Kerch. To see his remains, you need to climb a high staircase of 500 steps leading to Mount Mithridates.

And 11 kilometers from Panticapaeum, the ruins of the ancient Bosporan settlement of Tiritaka were found.

Chersonese Tauride - the ruins of another Greek settlement, one of the sights of Sevastopol. The foundation of this colony dates back to the fifth century BC. Chersonese was a large, well-fortified city.

Until now, the remains of an ancient temple, the ruins of a theater where, according to legend, gladiator fights, a mint, and a defensive tower have been preserved here. In the church of Chersonese, Prince Vladimir, the Baptist of All Russia, was baptized.

Scythian Naples is an ancient settlement on the outskirts of Simferopol. Created in the III century BC. e., the city served as the capital of the Scythian state. Today, on the territory of the ancient tract, a defensive tower and the mausoleum of King Skilur have been preserved.

Ruskophil-Kale - a castle in the Great Yalta region, built in the XIII-XIV centuries - a fortification with an area of ​​​​about 450 sq.m.

Kerkinitida is a Greek city built at the beginning of the 5th century BC. e. and lasted until the end of the II century BC. e. Its ruins are located in the center of Evpatoria, on the Quarantine Cape. Although most of the settlement has been covered up, two of its sections are well-groomed and museumified.

Kalos-Limen - the ruins of an ancient Greek settlement founded in the 4th century. BC e. in the village of Chernomorskoye.

Kimmerik - a Cimmerian tract of the 6th - 5th centuries BC. e., located between Lake Elken and Mount Opuk.

The Scythian Ust-Alma settlement is one of the largest Scythian settlements of the 2nd century BC. e., located on Cape Kremenchik.

Cave and underwater cities of Crimea

Ancient cave cities belong to a separate category. Mangup-Kale - a Byzantine defensive fort of the sixth century BC, Chufut-Kale near Bakhchisaray, Kacha-Kalyon, Kyz-Kermen, others - these villages were created in the rocks. Houses, utility rooms, temples, defensive walls were cut directly into the rock.

Crimea even has its own Atlantis - the underwater city of Acre. A small ancient Greek village, which served, among other things, as a port, existed near Cape Takil in the 6th century BC. e. ‒ 4th century AD e. Later, the sinking of the coast led to the flooding of most of the city.

Travelers with diving skills can see the ruins of Acre. Diving is possible as part of specialized excursions in the summer.

Note to tourists

A visit to the excavations of ancient cities can be easily combined with other types of recreation:

excursion activities;

visiting unique natural monuments;

beach recreation.

On the territory of the peninsula there are many ancient defensive towers, forts, and other fortifications that have been preserved in excellent condition. On the territory of many of them bright events are held. In particular, thematic festivals are held annually in the Genoese fortress, and reconstructions of medieval battles are staged.

Throughout the peninsula there are numerous hotels, hotels, boarding houses. Room reservations are available online. Pricing policy depends on the region, level of service and visiting season.

Which is mentioned in written sources. Tauri lived in the mountains, in the foothills, on the southern and southeastern coasts. Steppes of the peninsula from the 7th-6th centuries. BC e. occupied by the Scythian tribes. A significant part of them initially led a nomadic lifestyle. Characteristic monuments of the Taurians are burial stone cists, shelters and fortified settlements (on the mountains of Uch-Bash, Tash-Dzhargan, Koshka, etc.). The Scythians left numerous burial mounds, some of them with rich burials of the nobility.

The most ancient state of the Scythians in the Northern Black Sea region was the kingdom of Athea with its center on the Dnieper, which developed in the 4th century. BC e. Then a late Scythian state was formed with a center in Naples (on the southeastern outskirts of the present). The excavations of Scythian Naples gave a lot of interesting information about the life and way of life of the late Scythians.
In the VI-V centuries. BC e. Greek colonies appear in the Crimea: Panticapaeum, Kerkinitida, Nymphaeum, Tiritaka and others.

Chersonese - a slave-owning democratic republic - was a major economic and cultural center of Taurica. Crafts and art reached a high level of development in it.
The Bosporan kingdom grew as a result of the forcible unification of the city-states around Panticapaeum (about 480 BC). This economically developed state conducted extensive trade with Asia Minor and the countries of the Mediterranean. The art of the Bosporus revealed samples that are world famous (the Royal Mound, the crypt of Demeter and other monuments).

Having strengthened, the Scythian state led a persistent struggle against the Greek colonies, trying to subjugate them. The struggle reached its peak at the end of the 2nd century. BC e., when the troops of the Pontic (Asia Minor) king arrived in the Crimea at the request of the Chersonesos. At the same time, a major uprising broke out in the Bosporus, led by the Scythian Savmak. The rebels were victorious and proclaimed Savmak king. He was overthrown only with the help of the Pontic troops, after which the Bosporus and Chersonese fell under the rule of Mithridates.

After the defeat of Mithridates in the long-term wars with Rome in the Crimea in the 1st century. BC e. the Romans appear. The dominion of Rome on and in Chersonese lasted from the 1st to the 3rd centuries. n. e.
In the Bosporus kingdom, which retained relative independence, and in the late Scythian state in the 1st-2nd centuries. there is a new upsurge of the economy and culture. But in the III-IV centuries. n. e. in the conditions of the decline of the ancient world, caused by the crisis of the slave-owning system, the barbarian tribes - Goths, Huns and others - began to attack the slave-owning states. Under their blows, the Bosporus kingdom and the state of the late Scythians fell. Many cities and villages were destroyed by Chersonesus, however, it survived and existed for about a thousand years.

Ancient cities of Crimea

In ancient times, sea routes connected the Black Sea coast with the Mediterranean, where at the end of the 2nd - beginning of the 1st millennium BC. the great civilization of Greece arose. From the coast of Hellas, brave sailors set off in search of new lands.

Where now there are large seaports, industrial and resort centers of Crimea - Evpatoria, Sevastopol, Feodosia and Kerch, in the VI-V centuries. BC. the ancient Greeks founded, respectively, the cities of Kerkinitida, Chersonesus, Theodosia, Panticapaeum, and near them - Mirmekiy, Tiritaka, Nymphaeum, Kimmerik and others. Each of them was the center of an agricultural region where wheat was grown, grapes were cultivated, and cattle were bred. The cities housed temples, public and administrative buildings, markets, craftsmen's workshops.

The convenient geographical location contributed to the development of trade. Merchants exported to the Mediterranean slaves and agricultural products purchased from local tribes - Scythians, Meots, Sinds. In exchange, olive oil, wine, art and crafts were brought from the cities of the Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor.

Chersonese was founded in 421 BC. on the shore of the bay, which is now called Karantinnaya. Later, the city significantly expanded its holdings. During its heyday, Kerkinitida, the Beautiful Harbor (on the site of the modern Chernomorsky settlement) and other settlements of the northwestern Crimea were subordinate to him.

The Chersonese state was a slave-owning democratic republic. The supreme body of power was the people's assembly and council, which decided all issues of foreign and domestic policy. The leading role in the management belonged to the largest slave owners, whose names were conveyed by Chersonesos inscriptions and coins.

Archaeological excavations, begun in 1827, showed that the city was well fortified. The remains of defensive structures - massive towers, fortresses, parts of stone walls - have also been preserved throughout the state. This speaks of the constant military danger to which the inhabitants were exposed. The famous Chersonese oath tells about their patriotism. The people of Chersonesus swore that they would not betray either the city or its possessions to the enemies, that they would protect the democratic system and would not divulge state secrets.

As confirmed by archaeological research, the city had a correct layout. Residential buildings were combined into quarters, the streets intersected at right angles. They were paved with small stones. Stone gutters ran along the streets. Temples were erected in the squares. Public buildings and houses of wealthy citizens were decorated with colonnades and mosaic floors.

Only the foundations of the walls and basements have survived from ancient buildings to the present day. Particularly interesting are the mint, baths, the ruins of a theater that existed from the 3rd century BC. BC. according to the IV century. AD Only stairways and stone benches for spectators have been partially preserved from it. Judging by their size, the theater could seat up to 3,000 spectators.

Near the city walls was the artisans' district. There, archaeologists discovered the remains of ceramic production: kilns for firing pottery, stamps for ornaments, molds for making terracotta reliefs. Other crafts also flourished in Chersonese - metalworking, jewelry, weaving.

The largest ancient state of the Black Sea region was the Bosporan kingdom. It was formed as a result of the unification of originally independent Greek cities, such as Panticapaeum, Mirmekiy, Tiritaka, Phanagoria and others, located along the banks of the Cimmerian Bosporus - the modern Kerch Strait. Panticapaeum became the capital of the state. From 438 BC for more than three hundred years it was ruled by the Spartokid dynasty.

At the end of the 5th - beginning of the 4th centuries. BC. Nymphaeum and Theodosia, as well as lands inhabited by other tribes, were annexed to the possessions of the Bosporus. In the 1st century BC. The Bosporus captured most of the territory of the Crimea, subjugated Chersonese.

Excavations on Mount Mithridates, carried out in Kerch since the end of the 19th century, made it possible to restore the size and plan of Panticapaeum. At the top was the acropolis - the central fortification of the city with powerful defensive walls and towers. Inside it housed the most important temples and public buildings. Quarters of one- or two-story stone buildings descended in terraces down the slopes. The whole city and its environs were surrounded by numerous lines of fortifications. A deep and comfortable harbor reliably sheltered merchant and military ships.

Found fragments of marble statues, pieces of painted plaster and architectural details allow us to talk about the rich decoration of the squares and buildings of the city, about the skill of ancient architects and builders.

On the site of Myrmekia and Tiritaki, not far from Kerch, in addition to the city walls, residential buildings and sanctuaries, archaeologists discovered several wineries and baths for salting fish. In Nymphea, near the modern village of Geroevka, there are temples of Demeter, Aphrodite and Kabir; in Ilurat, near the modern village of Ivanovka, - a Bosporan military settlement of the first centuries AD, guarding the approaches to the capital.

Next to each ancient city was its necropolis - the city of the dead. Usually they were buried in simple earthen graves, sometimes lined with tiles or stone slabs. The rich and noble were placed in wooden or stone sarcophagi. For their burial, crypts were built, made of stones or carved into the rocks. The walls of crypts and sarcophagi were decorated with paintings, reliefs, and inlays. Ornaments were applied to them, mythological plots, scenes of real life were depicted. Together with the deceased, they put things that belonged to him: jewelry, dishes, weapons, vessels with incense, terracotta figurines and other items. In one of the Panticapaeum burials of the 3rd c. AD, possibly the Bosporan king Riskuporides, a unique golden mask was found that reproduced the facial features of the deceased.

Researchers have long been interested in large burial mounds located in the vicinity of Kerch. They found burials of Bosporan kings and nobility with outstanding works of Greek art: gold and silver jewelry, bronze and glass items, painted and figured vases.

Golden temporal pendants of the 4th century BC are rightfully considered a masterpiece of world art. BC. from the Kul-Oba kurgan. They are made in the form of disks, to which are attached numerous woven crossed chains connected by plates and rosettes. On a disk 7 cm in diameter there is a relief of the head of Athena in a helmet with clearly distinguishable figures of griffins, an owl and a snake. The thinnest filigree plates, rosettes, as well as the circumference of the disk are covered with granulation and blue enamel.

The most valuable finds from the excavations of the ancient cities of Crimea are presented in the collections of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the State Historical Museum and the State Museum of Fine Arts. A.S. Pushkin in Moscow, as well as others.

Now on the territory of Chersonese in Sevastopol and on Mount Mithridates in Kerch, reserves are organized. Every year, thousands of people come there to walk through the streets and squares of ancient cities, to get acquainted with the greatest cultural monuments.

When the Romans established themselves on the southern coast, they created fortified points on the coast to protect Chersonese. Of the Roman fortifications, the largest was Charax on Cape Ai-Todor (now there is a lighthouse next to the Swallow's Nest). The fortification of Charax (in Greek “pillar”, “stake”, that is, “enclosed place”) was founded in the 70s. 1st century under the Roman emperor Vespasian. At the end of the century there was a garrison here, in the II century. soldiers of the 1st Italian Legion were stationed. The last Roman garrison of the fort consisted of the soldiers of the XI Claudian legion (late II - first half of the III century). Marks on bricks and tiles testify to these three periods of the history of Charax.

N.I. Sheiko

Photos of beautiful places in Crimea