The city of Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nicopolis, meaning in Greek: city of victory. Istros was the ancient name for the southern Danube. Translation: ""the City of Victory near the Danube"") was founded by the emperor Trajan ca. 110 AD after his victories over the Dacians in 101 and 106.
It was built over an area of 30 hectares and is surrounded by fortress walls. The town reached its apogee during the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, the Antonines and the Severan dynasty.
In 2nd-4th century Nikopolis ad Istrum was the most important center of the Roman provinces of Moesia.
The town was badly damaged by the gothic invasions of the 5th- 6th centuries AD and reconstructed during the Byzantine period (an episcopal centre). Nicopolis was again destroyed by the Avar invasions at the end of the 6th century. A Bulgarian medieval settlement arose upon its ruins in the 10-14th century.
Now the ruins of Nicopolis are located near the village of Nikyup, district of Veliko Turnovo, 20 km from the town of Veliko Turnovo in northern Bulgaria. The archaeological researches in the ancient town were started at the begining of the 20th century.
Nicopolis minted about 900 different emissions during one century.