Scupi

Scupi is an ancient Roman city located near present-day Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. It sits on a plateau above the Vardar river and is identified with archaeological remains beneath the modern urban area. In antiquity, Scupi developed from earlier settlements into a substantial urban center in the province of Moesia Superior. It served as a local administrative and economic hub, hosting typical Roman features such as public buildings, baths, a forum or basilica, and a civilian population that included settlers and veterans. In late antiquity the city declined and was eventually abandoned, with later settlement activity shifting to other parts of the region.

Archaeology at Scupi has a long scholarly history. Systematic excavation began in the 19th century and resumed in the 20th and 21st centuries, yielding well-preserved public buildings, late antique inscriptions in Latin and Greek, mosaics, and remnants of fortifications. Finds illuminate urban planning, architecture, religion, and daily life in the Balkan provinces of the Roman Empire. The site is partly integrated into the modern city of Skopje, with some structures exposed for study and conservation while others remain buried beneath urban development.

Modern significance and research continue to make Scupi a key reference for understanding Roman urbanism in the Balkans. It provides important evidence about provincial administration, trade networks, and cultural interactions in Moesia Superior. Ongoing archaeology and conservation work aim to clarify the city’s layout and its relationship to nearby sites, contributing to the broader history of ancient Macedonia and the Roman world.