Ivo Topalilov
Biographic Data
| ID | 3095153 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ivo Topalilov |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ivo |
| FAMILY NAME | Topalilov |
| SIGNATURE | TOPALILOV I |
| AFFILIATIONS | Bulgarian Academy of Sciences |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0565-2054 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
An Issue with the Pseudo-tribe and the Cult of the Emperor
The Cult of the Ruler in Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Abdera in Thrace
The present text examines one of the best-documented foundation myths in the written sources of Thrace: that of the eponymous and mythical founder of Aegean Abdera, Abderos. The preserved texts not only allow us to outline the main characteristics of the myth and the qualities of the eponymous hero but also provide an opportunity to trace the development of the myth over the centuries and its transformation in accordance with the demands and need…
Mosaic Pavements in Thrace in the 6th century
This article analyses the roles and significance of floor mosaics decorating public and private buildings in 6th century Thrace. The former includes religious buildings such as Christian basilicas, catholicons in monasteries, baptisteries, and martyria and the reception halls of the domus, and the Episcopeion, which, given its function, ranks between the two groups. This study not only reveals the importance of mosaic flooring in the decoration o…
War and Peace
The present study discusses the issue of tribal affiliation in the names of veterans who settled in the Lower Danube colonies col(onia) Ulp(ia) Tra(iana) Rat(iariensium) in Moesia Superior and col(onia) Ulp(ia) Oescensium in Moesia Inferior after their honorific discharge. The study is challenging not only due to the scarcity of epigraphic evidence but also because most of the inscriptions date from a period when tribal affiliation was being aban…
The Tribe Affiliation of the Romans in the Lower Danube
The article deals with the perception of the tribe Papiria in the nomenclature of the Roman civics in two Trajanic colonies in Moesia Superior and Moesia Inferior—col(onia) Ulp(ia) Tra(iana) Rat(iariensium) and col(onia) Ulp(ia) Oescensium respectively. Although located close geographically and with a few common traits of their historical development, some discrepancies appeared in the topic which are discussed. The inscriptions provide, although…
On the name of Messambria Pontica
The present text deals with the etymology of the name of one of the Western Pontic colonies, Messambria Pontica. Although it has been a topic of discussion since antiquity, the problem is still not considered resolved, with debates continuing among modern scholars. Many questions remain unanswered, such as whether the name is a single word or a compound, whether it is of Greek or Thracian origin, or whether it is composed of a combination of two …
The Founder’s Cult in Messambria Pontica
The article deals with the early history of the politeia Messambria Pontica through the prysm of the foundation myth and cult. The almost simultaneous establishment of the cult and myth to the historical founder and mythical eponumous hero-founder attested on the silver coinage of Messambria may refer to a certain need of a group of Messambrian society to present itself in a certain way at-home and abroad. The author elieves that this should be c…
The Marine Mosaics in Late Antique Thrace
It is assumed that marine mosaics were among the most popular mosaic pavements across the Roman Empire, particularly in thermal baths and triclinia. It has therefore been thought unsurprising that marine mosaics widely appear in Early Christian art. Late antique Thrace does not appear to be an exception to this trend, although few examples of such mosaics have been discovered so far. This article addresses all three examples from a villa suburban…
Some remarks on the second mosaic pavement of the Metropolitan basilica in Philippopolis, Thrace
The present paper deals with the origin of the mosaic ateliers that were involved in the construction of the second mosaic pavement of the Metropolitan Basilica of Philippopolis, Thrace, dated in the 450s-460s. The analysis of the iconographic programme and of the style allows the identification of four mosaic ateliers: one, probably, metropolitan atelier, two provincial ones, that were strongly, influenced by Constantinopolitan artistic circles,…
Ulpia Topeiros. The Imperial Nomen Gentilicum in a city-title roman Thrace
This paper explores the reasons why ἡ Τοπειριτῶν πόλις obtained the Trajanic nomen gentilicium Οὐλπία in its title. The question arises since it appears on the municipal coin series minted for Topeiros at a particular moment in time, specifically in 212 AD. This coincides with an imperial visit which Caracalla and his mother Julia Domna paid in the city. The author argues that by using such propaganda gimmick, the local authority sought to attrac…
The Late 4th - Early 5th c. Mosaic Pavements in Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana in Thrace
The present paper deals with the mosaic pavements that embellished the public buildings, semi-public and private houses between the 80s of 4th c. and the first two decades of 5th c. in the two most important cities in late antique province of Thrace - Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana that are unearthed so far. This was a period of great significance for the mosaic development in both cities which though developed in different way until that time…
The mosaic pavements in Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana from Constantine I till Theodosius I. A short review
The present article focuses on the development of the mosaic art between the time of Constantine I and Theodosius I in Thrace based on the examples provided by the two urban centres in the province: the provincial capital Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana. The mosaic pavements were used to embellish private as well as public buildings, secular as well as religious in the term of the Christian basilicas – either built ex novo or incorporated into …
Inscriptions de Ratiaria (Mésie Supérieure, Bulgarie)
Bru Hadrien. III- Inscriptions de Ratiaria (Mésie Supérieure, Bulgarie). In: Dialogues d'histoire ancienne, vol. 48, n°2, 2022. pp. 440-446
Traian and the Danubian Provinces. The political, economic and religious life in the Danubian Provinces
The “Department of Archaeology“ of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb gladly hosted the 4th International Conference on the Roman Danubian Provinces in 2017. The Conference was organized with the support of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb, the Croatian Archaeological Society, and the Croatian Science Foundation through the project 6505 Between the Danube and the Medi…
The Impact of Constantinopolitan Liturgy on the Mosaic Pavements in The Christian Basilicas in Thrace During the Second Half of 5th C
The present article deals with changes that occurred in the arrangement of the mosaic floor decorations of two important basilicas located in the capitals of two provinces in Thrace – the Episcopal basilica at Philippopolis and the basilica at Herakleia, which are both dated to the second half of the 5th c. The study reveals that in these cases the changes were not a purely decorative issue with the introduction of a new trend in mosaic decoratio…
The Μελσα Coins in Thrace
The present article deals with the short-term coinage with ΜΕΛΣΑ on its reverse that seems to have been issued in the fourth – beginning of third century BC. The author accepts that it is about an individual name and links it with the deeds of an unknown yet Thracian dynast in whose territory the Messambrian polichnion Bizone was established. At this very time a specific Messambrian coinage appeared revealing the creation of a new cult to the oik…
The Mosaic Pavements in Philippopolis, Thrace, in 6th c. CE. Some Considerations
The present paper deals with the mosaic pavements from Philippopolis which are known so far and that might be attributed to 6th c. CE. The topic is of interest because there is almost no information in the literature about the urban development of the metropolis, although it seems that the city gained huge prosperity especially from the first half to the middle of that century. As part of this prosperity, one should also regard the mosaic pavemen…
On the Eirene Mosaic from Philippopolis, Thrace
The present article deals with the mosaic pavements of one of most significant residential complexes in Late Antique Philippopolis – the Domus Eirene. The name of the complex refers to the personification that is the main element in the decoration not only of the reception hall, but the entire building. An analysis of two main aspects is made: one concerning the transformation of the image of the personification into a Christian saint, and anothe…
A Note on the Name of Nicopolis ad Istrum
This paper deals with the hypothesis of why Nicopolis ad Haemum, a town established to glorify the victory of Trajan over the Dacians and their Sarmatian allies south of the Danube, was renamed at the beginning of Hadrian’s rule as Nicopolis ad Istrum. The author believes the change happened in 118/119 AD after a victory of the emperor near the Danube over either Roxolani or Iazyges, with a preference for the latter. This, along with the unfortun…
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On the Eirene Mosaic from Philippopolis, Thrace
The present article deals with the mosaic pavements of one of most significant residential complexes in Late Antique Philippopolis – the Domus Eirene. The name of the complex refers to the personification that is the main element in the decoration not only of the reception hall, but the entire building. An analysis of two main aspects is made: one concerning the transformation of the image of the personification into a Christian saint, and anothe…
A Note on the Name of Nicopolis ad Istrum
This paper deals with the hypothesis of why Nicopolis ad Haemum, a town established to glorify the victory of Trajan over the Dacians and their Sarmatian allies south of the Danube, was renamed at the beginning of Hadrian’s rule as Nicopolis ad Istrum. The author believes the change happened in 118/119 AD after a victory of the emperor near the Danube over either Roxolani or Iazyges, with a preference for the latter. This, along with the unfortun…
The Mosaic Pavements in Philippopolis, Thrace, in 6th c. CE. Some Considerations
The present paper deals with the mosaic pavements from Philippopolis which are known so far and that might be attributed to 6th c. CE. The topic is of interest because there is almost no information in the literature about the urban development of the metropolis, although it seems that the city gained huge prosperity especially from the first half to the middle of that century. As part of this prosperity, one should also regard the mosaic pavemen…
Traian and the Danubian Provinces. The political, economic and religious life in the Danubian Provinces
The “Department of Archaeology“ of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb gladly hosted the 4th International Conference on the Roman Danubian Provinces in 2017. The Conference was organized with the support of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb, the Croatian Archaeological Society, and the Croatian Science Foundation through the project 6505 Between the Danube and the Medi…
The Impact of Constantinopolitan Liturgy on the Mosaic Pavements in The Christian Basilicas in Thrace During the Second Half of 5th C
The present article deals with changes that occurred in the arrangement of the mosaic floor decorations of two important basilicas located in the capitals of two provinces in Thrace – the Episcopal basilica at Philippopolis and the basilica at Herakleia, which are both dated to the second half of the 5th c. The study reveals that in these cases the changes were not a purely decorative issue with the introduction of a new trend in mosaic decoratio…
The Μελσα Coins in Thrace
The present article deals with the short-term coinage with ΜΕΛΣΑ on its reverse that seems to have been issued in the fourth – beginning of third century BC. The author accepts that it is about an individual name and links it with the deeds of an unknown yet Thracian dynast in whose territory the Messambrian polichnion Bizone was established. At this very time a specific Messambrian coinage appeared revealing the creation of a new cult to the oik…
Ulpia Topeiros. The Imperial Nomen Gentilicum in a city-title roman Thrace
This paper explores the reasons why ἡ Τοπειριτῶν πόλις obtained the Trajanic nomen gentilicium Οὐλπία in its title. The question arises since it appears on the municipal coin series minted for Topeiros at a particular moment in time, specifically in 212 AD. This coincides with an imperial visit which Caracalla and his mother Julia Domna paid in the city. The author argues that by using such propaganda gimmick, the local authority sought to attrac…
The Late 4th - Early 5th c. Mosaic Pavements in Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana in Thrace
The present paper deals with the mosaic pavements that embellished the public buildings, semi-public and private houses between the 80s of 4th c. and the first two decades of 5th c. in the two most important cities in late antique province of Thrace - Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana that are unearthed so far. This was a period of great significance for the mosaic development in both cities which though developed in different way until that time…
The mosaic pavements in Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana from Constantine I till Theodosius I. A short review
The present article focuses on the development of the mosaic art between the time of Constantine I and Theodosius I in Thrace based on the examples provided by the two urban centres in the province: the provincial capital Philippopolis and Augusta Traiana. The mosaic pavements were used to embellish private as well as public buildings, secular as well as religious in the term of the Christian basilicas – either built ex novo or incorporated into …
Inscriptions de Ratiaria (Mésie Supérieure, Bulgarie)
Bru Hadrien. III- Inscriptions de Ratiaria (Mésie Supérieure, Bulgarie). In: Dialogues d'histoire ancienne, vol. 48, n°2, 2022. pp. 440-446
The Founder’s Cult in Messambria Pontica
The article deals with the early history of the politeia Messambria Pontica through the prysm of the foundation myth and cult. The almost simultaneous establishment of the cult and myth to the historical founder and mythical eponumous hero-founder attested on the silver coinage of Messambria may refer to a certain need of a group of Messambrian society to present itself in a certain way at-home and abroad. The author elieves that this should be c…
The Marine Mosaics in Late Antique Thrace
It is assumed that marine mosaics were among the most popular mosaic pavements across the Roman Empire, particularly in thermal baths and triclinia. It has therefore been thought unsurprising that marine mosaics widely appear in Early Christian art. Late antique Thrace does not appear to be an exception to this trend, although few examples of such mosaics have been discovered so far. This article addresses all three examples from a villa suburban…
Some remarks on the second mosaic pavement of the Metropolitan basilica in Philippopolis, Thrace
The present paper deals with the origin of the mosaic ateliers that were involved in the construction of the second mosaic pavement of the Metropolitan Basilica of Philippopolis, Thrace, dated in the 450s-460s. The analysis of the iconographic programme and of the style allows the identification of four mosaic ateliers: one, probably, metropolitan atelier, two provincial ones, that were strongly, influenced by Constantinopolitan artistic circles,…
The Tribe Affiliation of the Romans in the Lower Danube
The article deals with the perception of the tribe Papiria in the nomenclature of the Roman civics in two Trajanic colonies in Moesia Superior and Moesia Inferior—col(onia) Ulp(ia) Tra(iana) Rat(iariensium) and col(onia) Ulp(ia) Oescensium respectively. Although located close geographically and with a few common traits of their historical development, some discrepancies appeared in the topic which are discussed. The inscriptions provide, although…
On the name of Messambria Pontica
The present text deals with the etymology of the name of one of the Western Pontic colonies, Messambria Pontica. Although it has been a topic of discussion since antiquity, the problem is still not considered resolved, with debates continuing among modern scholars. Many questions remain unanswered, such as whether the name is a single word or a compound, whether it is of Greek or Thracian origin, or whether it is composed of a combination of two …
An Issue with the Pseudo-tribe and the Cult of the Emperor
The Cult of the Ruler in Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Abdera in Thrace
The present text examines one of the best-documented foundation myths in the written sources of Thrace: that of the eponymous and mythical founder of Aegean Abdera, Abderos. The preserved texts not only allow us to outline the main characteristics of the myth and the qualities of the eponymous hero but also provide an opportunity to trace the development of the myth over the centuries and its transformation in accordance with the demands and need…
Mosaic Pavements in Thrace in the 6th century
This article analyses the roles and significance of floor mosaics decorating public and private buildings in 6th century Thrace. The former includes religious buildings such as Christian basilicas, catholicons in monasteries, baptisteries, and martyria and the reception halls of the domus, and the Episcopeion, which, given its function, ranks between the two groups. This study not only reveals the importance of mosaic flooring in the decoration o…
War and Peace
The present study discusses the issue of tribal affiliation in the names of veterans who settled in the Lower Danube colonies col(onia) Ulp(ia) Tra(iana) Rat(iariensium) in Moesia Superior and col(onia) Ulp(ia) Oescensium in Moesia Inferior after their honorific discharge. The study is challenging not only due to the scarcity of epigraphic evidence but also because most of the inscriptions date from a period when tribal affiliation was being aban…
History (15 works) · Ancient history (13 works) · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History (13 works) · Archaeology and Historical Studies (9 works) · Art (9 works) · Archaeology (8 works) · Byzantine Studies and History (8 works) · Historical and Religious Studies of Rome (8 works) · Law (8 works) · Mosaic (8 works)