Burebista

In the year 80 B.C. Burebista becomes king of the Dacians.His dream is to unite all Dacian and Getes tribes into a single kingdom.A short civil war assures Burebista's rise to power.His most trusted advisor is the high priest Deceneus who helps King Burebista to achieve complete control and obedience of his subjects.After Burebista consolidates his power he builds a new civil and religious capital at Sarmizegethusa.He also embarks on a series of expansionist wars against his neighbors.The first to fall are the neighboring Celtic tribes.They become Burebista's allies.Around the year 60 B.C. Burebista conquers the Celtic tribes of the Boii and the Taurisci in present-day Bohemia.Burebista also sets out to subjugate the Greek cities of the Black Sea coast.The Dacian king is careful to avoid open confrontation with the Romans.Despite this Julius Caesar views the Dacian kingdom as a threat to the Roman Empire's security.In 48 B.C. during the Roman Civil War Burebista sides with Pompey who promises him a lasting Roman peace and rich trade.But Caesar wins the Roman Civil War defeating Pompey.As Caesar is making plans to attack and conquer the kingdom of Dacia Burebista is praying for a miracle.His small kingdom is no match against the might of the Roman Empire.