Po redaktohet Scupi (paragraf)

==History==
[[File:Tombstone - Skupi.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Tombstone in Scupi.]]

Scupi became the capital of [[Dardanian Kingdom|Dardania]], which extended from [[Naissus]] to [[Bylazora]], in the second century BC.<ref>Macedonia yesterday and today Author Giorgio Nurigiani, Publisher Teleurope, 1967 p. 77.</ref> The Dardanians had remained independent after the Roman conquest of Macedonia, because they had supported the Romans, hoping to enlarge their territory in this way. It is not clear when the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] finally annexed Dardania and it seems most likely that the Dardani actually lost independence in 28 BC.<ref>[http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-7653/2006/0350-76530637007P.pdf Vladimir P. Petrović, Pre-Roman and Roman Dardania Historical and Geographical Considerations, Balcanica XXXVII, p 10.]</ref> Scupi grew up as a colony of legionnaires, mainly veterans of the Legio VII Claudia in the time of [[Domitian]] (AD 81–96), even though  several legions of [[Crassus]]' army of 29-28 BC, may already have been stationed there, before the official imperial command in this area was instituted.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=1OTgAAAAMAAJ&q=scupi+dardania&dq=scupi+dardania&hl=en&ei=xBRQTrqCL4Pm-gat5N2DBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAThG The Cambridge Ancient History, John Boardman, Volume 13 of The Cambridge Ancient History, Author Averil Cameron, Contributor R. C. Blockley, Publisher	Cambridge University Press, 1996, p. 570.]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=scupi+dardania+roman+illyria&hl=en&ei=AhJQTv3ENJGF-wbNnqTuBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=scupi&f=false The Illyrians, Author John Wilkes, Publisher Wiley-Blackwell, 1995], {{ISBN|0-631-19807-5}}, p. 213.</ref> Scupi was included in [[Moesia Superior]] after the province was formed in AD 6. From 272 AD, it was a colony inside the Roman province of [[Dardania (Roman province)|Dardania]] after Dardania was established. Scupi was ravaged several times by barbarians, in AD 269 by the Goths, in 5th century by the Huns and finally in the year 518 was completely destroyed by an earthquake. Life in Scupi stopped after the earthquake and it is assumed that the people from Scupi moved to live on Kale, a hill in the center of Skopje.<ref>{{Coord|42.0166|N|21.3920733|E}}.</ref>

The moving of the city is often connected with the founding of [[Justiniana Prima]]. Justiniana Prima was a legendary city founded by [[Justinian I]], who reigned over the Eastern Roman Empire in 527–565. The connection is based on the assumption that the village Taor which is located near Skopje is [[Tauresium]], Justinian I's birthplace, and by the description of Justininiana Prima by Procopius that suits Skopje's fortress (Kale), the [[Old Bazaar]] and the aqueduct which are still landmarks of Skopje.

{{Blockquote|He therefore built a wall of small compass about this place in the form of a square, placing a tower at each corner, and caused it to be called, as it actually is, Tetrapyrgia. And close by this place he built a very notable city which he named Justiniana Prima, thus paying a debt of gratitude to the home that fostered him. In that place also he constructed an aqueduct and so caused the city to be abundantly supplied with ever-running water. And many other enterprises were carried out by the founder of this city - works of great size and worthy of especial note. For to enumerate the churches is not easy, and it is impossible to tell in words of the lodgings for magistrates, the great stoas, the fine marketplaces, the fountains, the streets, the baths, the shops. In brief, the city is both great and populous and blessed in every way.|[[Procopius]]| description of Justiniana Prima in 'The Buildings'}}