Originally Rize was Illyrian site. Roman town of Risinium was a fortified settlement (oppidum) with Roman citizens -: oppidum civium Romanoru. The most prosperous period for the Roman Resinium came between the 1st century and the 2nd century. The population was about 10 000 inhabitants. The first written mention of Rize is made by Arrian in his Periplus (Ship's Voyage) ca. 131 AD [The Rhizius lies also in the neighbourhood of the Psychrus, and is distant from the Calus an hundred and twenty stadia. From the Rhizius to the Ascurus the distance is thirty stadia.].
See:
- ARRIAN, PERIPLUS OF THE EUXINE SEA-ToposText