The Dacians inhabited the region to the north of the lower Danube, from the Carpathian mountains to the Black Sea, and were related to the ancient Thracians. A Dacian kingdom existed as early as the second century B.C. Throughout the first century of the common era, the Dacians periodically raided and harassed the Roman Empire, and at times were even able to extract tribute in return for peace. Finally, from 101 to 107 A.D., the Emperor Trajan conquered the kingdom and annexed it as a Roman province. The Romans lost control of major portions of Dacia when the Goths drove them out in 256 A.D. By 275 A.D., the Emperor Aurelian was forced to abandon the province completely, and reconstitute the Roman defenses in Moesia, to the south.