Classis Flavia Moesica


The Classis Flavia Moesica was the Roman Empire's fleet on the lower Danube river, near the Black Sea.

History

The Classis Moesica was established sometime between 20 BC and 10 AD. It was based in Noviodunum and controlled the Lower Danube from the Iron Gates to the northwestern Black Sea as far as the Crimea. The honorific Flavia, awarded to it and to the Classis Pannonica, may indicate its reorganization by Vespasian around 75 AD. After Domitian it was headquartered in Sexaginta Prista. After Trajan's conquest of Dacia, during which the Classis Moesica provided logistical support, its base was moved to Noviodunum. The fleet also included several secondary ports, like Novae, Oescus and Tomis. From 41 AD detachments were stationed in Crimea and Tyras.
The Classis Moesica lasted until the beginning of the fifth century, being later assimilated within the Byzantine navy.

Ships and troops

The attested ships used by the Moesian fleet were mainly the ubiquitus liburnae used by most Roman provincial fleets, of which two names survive: "Armata" & "Sagita".
In Scythia Minor, during late Antiquity there were marines of legio II Herculia at "Inplateypegiis" and sailors at Flaviana.