The indigenous population of Scythia Minor was Dacian and their material culture is apparent archaeologically into the sixth century. Roman villas have also been found. The cities were either ancient Greek foundations on the coast (like Tomis) or more recent Roman foundations on the Danube.[1] Roman fortifications mostly date to the Tetrarchy or the Constantinian dynasty. Substantial repairs were made under Emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I, who granted the province fiscal immunity. By the fifth century, most of the troops stationed in Scythia were foederatiofGermanic, Turkic, Hunnic or (perhaps) Slavic origin. They were a constant source of tension in the province.[2]
Christianity flourished in Scythia in the fifth and sixth centuries. Numerous Christian inscriptions have been found.[1] Already in the fourth century, there is evidence of martyr cults there. Churches typically had relic crypts.[2] Several prominent theologians hailed from Scythia, including John Cassian, Dionysius Exiguus and the Scythian monks.[1]
Zahariade, Mihail (2006). Scythia Minor: A History of a Later Roman Province (284–681). Hakkert.
Zahariade, Mihail (2017). "The Scythian Section of Notitia Dignitatum: A Structural and Chronological Analysis". In Nick Hodgson; Paul Bidwell; Judith Schachtmann (eds.). Roman Frontier Studies 2009: Proceedings of the XXI International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (Limes Congress) held at Newcastle upon Tyne in August 2009. Archaeopress. pp. 509–518.
As found in the Notitia Dignitatum. Provincial administration reformed and dioceses established by Diocletian, c. 293. Permanent praetorian prefectures established after the death of Constantine I. Empire permanently partitioned after 395. Exarchates of Ravenna and Africa established after 584. After massive territorial losses in the 7th century, the remaining provinces were superseded by the theme system in c. 640–660, although in Asia Minor and parts of Greece they survived under the themes until the early 9th century.
