occupied by a fort, one of the largest in the region. From discovered inscriptions, the cohort II Lucensium, from Abritus and consisting of nominally 480 foot soldiers and 120 cavalry, was stationed in the fort from 136 (under Hadrian) to 192 AD and built the associated thermae in 166 to 169. After their move to Germania (Sapareva Banya) they were replaced by the cohort I Atoitorum from 192 AD. The city was badly damaged by in the Gothic Wars in 267-9. Nevertheless the city and the fort were soon rebuilt, as many towns in the region were under Diocletian, and in 293 it became a city again. A castellum of 5 hectares replaced the earlier military camp, a new fort wall was built with square towers, and the city wall and the large 3rd c. thermae of the fort were restored. The large and elaborate tribunorum for about 12 officers and dating from the early 270s was excavated in 2017 and a recently translated inscription shows another larger cohort (milliaria) with about 800 foot soldiers was present. New large public buildings were built and Kabyle became one of the most important cities of Thracia following the reforms of Emperor Diocletian. Christianity became widespread in the area as early as the 4th century AD, and Kabyle became a bishopric with a large basilica. In 378 Kabyle was seized by the Goths under Fritigernus. In the 5th century repeated barbarian raids forced the inhabitants to retreat inside the fort. The fort wall was doubled in the most vulnerable places and the thermae were used as residences and many other houses were built. The town was finally destroyed in about 587 by the Avars and only partially settled afterwards. In the 9th century the surrounding region was fully integrated into the Bulgarian Empire and a small Bulgarian settlement was established over the ancient ruins. The Site The ancient city has been partially excavated and work is continuing. Recently the principia of the Roman fort have been discovered. The Hellenistic city had defensive walls from the last quarter of the 4th c. BC, an agora and temples to Jupiter Dolichenus, the Thracian Horseman, Asclepius and Hygia. It has an acropolis with a sanctuary and relief of Cybele, its namesake and patron deity, carved into the rock. The military fort occupied part of the city from Roman times, including the later barracks (one for cavalry)