Dyrrachium In The Early Christian And Byzantine Period

he modern city of Durrës, Albania's second largest city, is built on the remains of the ancient one, known as Epidamnos or Dyrrachion, transformed into Dyrrachium in Roman period, dates from the seventh century B.C. It was the most strategic city on the Adriatic Sea and a major port of Illyria for Italy, whence a branch of the Via Egnatia runs past (technically bypasses) Salonica to Constantinople subsequently to link New with Old Rome.
Dyrrachium was the most strategic city in Adriatic coast, a seafaring city-state and thrived on commerce, one of two principles gates of Christian diffusion in Balkans (the other was Salona). As part of East Illyricum and Macedonian Diocese, Dyrrachium was the capital of the Province of Epirus Nova, part of the Eastern Empire, when Theodosius divided Roman Empire in two parts.
Archaeological material, such as Villa with Orpheus mosaic, the Early Christian and Medieval Chapels at the amphitheater, St. Michael Basilica in Arapaj, the Byzantine Round Forum, the Byzantine walls, the sewerage system, is a good base for reconstructing the image of the city during in Early Christian and Byzantine period. Interesting mosaics, marble architectural fragments, mostly Proconnesian imports, and engraved inscriptions bear witnes of the artistic, economic and architectural development of the city during this period.