What countries does the region of Thrace cover today?
Thrace today spans three countries: southeastern Bulgaria (Northern Thrace), northeastern Greece (Western Thrace), and the European part of Turkey (East Thrace). Its largest city is Istanbul.
Questions about Thrace
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who were the ancient Thracians and what language did they speak?
The ancient Thracians were an indigenous people of Southeast Europe divided into numerous tribes, including the Edones, Bisaltae, Cicones, and Bistones. They recorded no collective name for themselves; the label was assigned by the Greeks. Greek inscriptions south of the Haemus Mountains show the region became fully Greek-speaking by the end of Roman antiquity.
When did Thrace become a Roman province?
Thrace became a Roman province in 46 AD. Before that, Augustus had placed the kingdom under indirect Sapaean rule centered on Bizye after the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, following the removal of the Odrysian-Astaean royal family.
Was Spartacus really from Thrace?
Yes. Spartacus was a Thracian who led a major slave uprising in what is now Italy from 73 to 71 BC. His army of escaped gladiators and slaves defeated several Roman legions in the conflict known as the Third Servile War.
What famous philosophers came from Thrace?
Protagoras (c. 490-420 BC) and Democritus (c. 460-370 BC) both came from Abdera in Thrace. Protagoras is known for arguing that man is the measure of all things and is considered the first sophist. Democritus proposed the atomic theory, holding that all matter consists of indivisible particles he called atoms.
What happened to Jews in Thrace in 1934?
In the summer of 1934, up to ten thousand Jews in Thrace were maltreated, deprived of their property, and forced to leave the region in what are known as the 1934 Thrace pogroms.