Decebal violated the 102 AD treaty: he rearmed his troops, rebuilt the fortresses, and attacked Roman allied tribes. Trajan came with the largest Roman army of the era, determined to permanently annex Dacia.
Campaign: Second Dacian War (105–106 AD)
Forces Engaged
Blidaru Dacian fortress ruins — key fortification in the Orăștie Mountains defense system (c. 2013) — Strainu, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0 RO.
Victor
Roman Empire
Commander: Împăratul Traian
Strength:150,000
Defeated
Dacia
Commander: Regele Decebal
Strength:30,000
The Battle
Map of the Second Dacian War (105–106 AD) showing opening campaign and Tapae (c. 2008) — Barosaurus Lentu. Public domain.
Trajan returned with a far larger force (up to 14–16 legions) after Decebal violated the peace treaty. The Tapae pass was again contested, but Roman numerical superiority and engineering — including Apollodorus of Damascus's stone bridge at Drobeta — overwhelmed Dacian resistance. The Dacians retreated to their interior mountain fortresses.
The Second Battle of Tapae took place in 105 AD, marking the start of Trajan's final conquest of Dacia. Roman legions successfully breached the defensive pass once more, paving the way for the decisive siege of the Dacian capital, Sarmizegetusa Regia.
Casualties & Outcome
4,000
Roman Empire
casualties
7,000
Dacia
casualties
Unknown | Unknown |
Roman Empire achieved victory over Dacia.
Because the winter was near, Trajan decided to wait until spring to continue his offensive on Sarmizegetusa. Decebalus took advantage of the new situation, and in the winter of 101 to 102, he attacked the Roman province of Moesia, a major clash taking place at the Battle of Adamclisi.
Historical Record
Trajan's Column Scene CII — Trajan greeted by troops at the Second Dacian War opening (c. 113) — Conrad Cichorius (1896). Public domain.Location map of Europe, satellite image (c. 2010) — Europe_satellite_image_location_map.jpg: NordNordWest derivative work: Victuallers (talk). Public domain.Battle scene. The Dacians (on the left) are attacking Trajan's men. From en:Trajan's Column; this is from the plaster-cast reproduction at the Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest, Romania (c. 2006) — Joe Mabel. CC BY-SA 3.0.The first battle (scene XXIV) (c. 1896) — Attributed to Apollodorus of Damascus / Conrad Cichorius. Public domain.Relief map of Romania. (c. 2012) — Nzeemin. CC BY-SA 3.0.John Harris Valda - The kindness of Trajan after the third battle of Tapae (c. 1915) — John Harris Valda. Public domain.Location map of Europe, satellite image (c. 2010) — Europe_satellite_image_location_map.jpg: NordNordWest derivative work: Victuallers (talk). Public domain.Battle scene. The Dacians (on the left) are attacking Trajan's men. From en:Trajan's Column; this is from the plaster-cast reproduction at the Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest, Romania (c. 2006) — Joe Mabel. CC BY-SA 3.0.The first battle (scene XXIV) (c. 1896) — Attributed to Apollodorus of Damascus / Conrad Cichorius. Public domain.Relief map of Romania. (c. 2012) — Nzeemin. CC BY-SA 3.0.no original description (c. 2019) — en:User:Saranphat.cha. CC BY-SA 3.0.John Harris Valda - The kindness of Trajan after the third battle of Tapae (c. 1915) — John Harris Valda. Public domain.
Significance & Legacy
The opening engagement of the Second Dacian War, marking the beginning of Rome's final systematic campaign to annex Dacia. Unlike 101, Trajan would not stop until the fall of Sarmizegetusa.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Battle of Tapae (Second Dacian War)?
The Battle of Tapae (Second Dacian War) took place in 105. Spring–Summer 105 AD.
Who won the Battle of Tapae (Second Dacian War)?
The Roman Empire were victorious against the Dacia.
What was the significance of the Battle of Tapae (Second Dacian War)?
The opening engagement of the Second Dacian War, marking the beginning of Rome's final systematic campaign to annex Dacia. Unlike 101, Trajan would not stop until the fall of Sarmizegetusa.
