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2026 - Volume 9 - Number 2

From Kingdom to Province: Thrace Under Roman Control

Asen Bondzhev
New Bulgarian University, Department of History, Sofia, BULGARIA

Open Journal for Studies in History, 2026, 9(2), 55-68 * https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojsh.0902.02055b
Received: 28 February 2026 ▪ Revised: 12 June 2026 ▪ Accepted: 10 July 2026

LICENCE: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

ARTICLE (Full Text - PDF)

ABSTRACT:
This study examines the gradual integration of Thrace into the Roman sphere from the Hellenistic conflicts of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC to the eventual formation of the province of Thracia in AD 46. Thrace’s strategic location made it crucial for Rome, functioning both as a buffer zone and a key land route to the eastern provinces. The Thracian kings played a significant role as Rome’s allies and later as client rulers before the region was fully absorbed into the empire. Despite Romanization efforts, the province retained strong elements of Hellenic culture, with Greek remaining the dominant language. The Roman administrative system facilitated infrastructure development, urbanization and economic expansion. This research highlights the dynamic interplay between conquest and assimilation, demonstrating how Thrace transitioned from a tumultuous frontier region into an integral part of the Roman world.

KEY WORDS: Thrace, Rome, Romanization, provincia Thracia, Hellenization, Roman Empire, Balkan history.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Asen Bondzhev, New Bulgarian University, Department of History, Sofia, BULGARIA.

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