CALLATIS

The Greek merchants and navigators, attracted by the favorable position and by the advantages of the trade with the native Getae, have founded at the Black Sea shore, about 25 centuries ago, some settlements which became, in time, prosperous cities. One of them is Callatis situated on the place of today's Mangalia (in Greek Callatis means the (most) beautiful). Parallel with the florishing economical life, in Callatis was also a sustained artistic activity. This thing is proved by the descovered objects. So, in the remains of some workshops have been found fine glass objects, burned clay statues covered with gold (tanagrets), marble statues and monuments.

After tthe Greek period, follows the second development period, during Romans (beginning of the 1st century A.C.). Like the metropolis (Rome) and the other great cities of the Roman Empire, Callatis had artistical institutions, learned people and famous artists. From this period dates the "tomb with papirus".

As in the case of other Greek-roman settlements from the Black Sea shore, the migratory people waves have stopped the development of Callatis. Only in the 12 century, on the place of the ancient florishing fortress, was mentioned a small villages with a port. The name of Mangalia appears only in documents from the 14th century.

Last update: 1999, August 20
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