Ulpia Escus Antique Settlement – village of Gigen

The majestic ruins of the Roman and Byzantine settlement Ulpia Eskus are located in the northwestern part of the village of Gigen, Pleven region, about 5 km south of the place, where the Iskar river flows into the Danube. It was established as an individual settlement in the beginning of I century, in direct proximity to a Thracian settlement from the late-bronze and early iron age. Eskus reached its economic and cultural zenith in II and the beginning of III century. In the times of Antonines and Severs, this zenith was interrupted by numerous invasions by tribes from the north through the Danube, including the Goths. The settlement experienced a new upsurge during the ruling of Constantine the Great. In the first half, and especially about the middle of V century, Escus became victim of the Hun invasions. During the ruling of Ustinian the Great, the fortified walls were restored, after which its name was no longer mentioned in any written sources. Escus was destroyed by the Avars in the last quarter of VI century. In X century, another settlement was built on the ruins. This village existed until XIV century.  The Italian military engineer count Luiggi Marsili was the first to connect the ruins in Gigen with the antique settlement Escus. This happened in the end of XVII century.