Duras

Who is Duras?

Duras was king of the Dacians between the years AD 85 and 87, during the time that Domitian ruled the Roman Empire. He was one of a series of rulers following the Great King Burebista. Duras' immediate successor was the famous Dacian ruler, Decebalus.

In the winter of 85, Diurpaneus ravaged the southern banks of the Danube, which the Romans defended for many years. Oppius Sabinus, who succeeded Agrippa as commander in that province, raised an army and went to war with the Getae. Diurpaneus and his people defeated and decapitated Oppius Sabinus. When news of the defeat reached Rome, the citizens became fearful that the conquering enemy would invade and spread destruction further into the Empire. Because of this fear, Domitian was obliged to move with his entire army into Illyria and Moesia, the latter of which was now split into Upper and Lower regions. He ordered his commander Cornelius Fuscus to cross the Danube.

The Getae did not delay in gathering arms and seized an important victory in their very first clash with the Romans, conquering their camp in an ambush. Given the conditions, Duras ceded power to Diurpaneus. Duras' concession of leadership was made peacefully and without resentment He continued to live in one of the palaces in Sarmizegetusa while serving as an advisor for Decebalus.