Pannonia

Pannonia was a province of the Roman Empire. It was located near the Danube River and covered parts of many modern countries. These countries include western Hungary, western Slovakia, eastern Austria, northern Croatia, north-western Serbia, northern Slovenia, and northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The land that was Pannonia had many important rivers, which helped people travel and trade. The Romans built towns and roads there, and many people lived in Pannonia during Roman times. Today, learning about Pannonia helps us understand history and how the Roman Empire influenced Europe.

Background

Map showing Burebista's dominance over Pannonia and Bohemia.

In ancient times, the land known as Pannonia was home to many different groups of people. First, tribes called the Pannonians lived there. Later, groups of people called the Celts moved into the area. They fought with the local tribes and set up many small villages. Some of these villages grew big and important, and the people there even made their own coins.

Over time, other groups like the Scordisci and the Dardani also moved into the region. They fought with each other and with other nearby lands. Eventually, the Romans began to take control of the area, starting with the town of Aquileia. This marked the beginning of Rome's influence in Pannonia.

Roman conquest

People of Transdanubia and its surroundings before the Roman conquest

Pannonia was a land that Rome wanted to control. The people there fought back, but Rome kept coming back. In 35 BC, a Roman leader named Octavian attacked and took over parts of Pannonia. Later, in 15 BC, another Roman leader named Tiberius made friends with some nearby groups after they attacked.

There were many fights over the years. In 10 BC, the people of Pannonia rose up again, but Tiberius put them down. Rome wanted to use the Danube River as a border to protect their new lands. By 9 AD, after many battles, Rome finally controlled most of Pannonia. One big uprising happened from 6 to 9 AD, led by leaders named Bato and Pinnes. They tried to attack Italy but failed. Rome used tough methods to end the fighting, and by 9 AD, the leaders gave up.

History

The divided Pannonia in the second century AD

Pannonia was part of the Roman Empire and was split into two regions, Dalmatia and Pannonia, around 8 or 9 AD. The Romans worked hard to bring peace and order to the area. They built roads, towns, and forts to protect the land.

Many leaders helped Pannonia grow. Emperor Tiberius started building towns and roads. Later, Emperor Claudius finished bringing Pannonia fully into the Roman Empire. During these times, Pannonia faced challenges from nearby tribes, but Roman leaders worked to keep peace and strengthen their control.

After Roman rule

After the Romans left, Pannonia saw many changes. In the 5th century, groups like the Huns took over some areas. Later, the Ostrogoths settled there. By the 6th century, the Eastern Roman Empire controlled a small part of the south.

Gerulata, a Roman military camp located near today's Rusovce, Slovakia.

In the following years, the Avars and Slavs also moved into the region. By the 790s, the Franks had entered and used the name "Pannonia" for a new area they controlled. The old Latin dialect from Roman times slowly disappeared around the 6th century.

Cities and auxiliary forts

Aerial photography: Gorsium - Tác - Hungary

Many places in Pannonia started as small villages. Over time, some of these grew into bigger towns, mostly influenced by the Romans. Here are some important cities and towns from Pannonia, now located in different countries:

Now in Austria:

Carnuntum (Petronell, Bad Deutsch-Altenburg)
Vindobona (Vienna)

Now in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Aquincum, Hungary

Saldae (Brčko)
Serbinum or Servitium (Gradiška)
Castrum and Canabea (Doboj)

Now in Croatia:

Now in Hungary:

Ruins of Imperial Palace in Sirmium

Ad Flexum (Mosonmagyaróvár)
Ad Mures (Ács)
Ad Statuas (Vaspuszta)
Ad Statuas (Várdomb)
Alisca (Szekszárd)
Alta Ripa (Tolna)
Aquincum (Óbuda, Budapest)
Arrabona (Győr)
Brigetio (Szőny)
Caesariana (Baláca)
Campona (Nagytétény)
Cirpi (Dunabogdány)
Contra-Aquincum (Budapest)
Contra Constantiam (Dunakeszi)
Gorsium-Herculia (Tác)
Intercisa (Dunaújváros)
Iovia (Szakcs)
Lugio (Dunaszekcső)
Lussonium (Dunakömlőd)
Matrica (Százhalombatta)
Morgentianae (Tüskevár (?))
Mursella (Mórichida)
Quadrata (Lébény)
Sala (Zalalövő)
Savaria (Szombathely)
Scarbantia (Sopron)
Solva (Esztergom)
Sopianae (Pécs)
Ulcisia Castra (Szentendre)
Valcum (Fenékpuszta)

Now in Serbia:

Now in Slovakia:

Gerulata (Rusovce)

Now in Slovenia:

Economy

Pannonia was a productive place, especially after its forests were cleared. Before that, timber was an important export. The main crops were oats and barley, which people used to make a type of beer called sabaea. Vines and olive trees were not commonly grown. Pannonia was also known for its hunting dogs. Though ancient writers didn’t mention minerals, the land likely had iron and silver mines.

Slavery

Slavery was less common in Pannonia than in older Roman areas. Wealthy people used slaves for housework, and soldiers who owned land used slaves on their farms. Slaves also worked in workshops in western cities for rich business owners. In Aquincum, slaves were freed after a short time.

Religion

Pannonia had places of worship for Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, who were important gods in the Roman Empire. People also honored older Celtic gods, and in Aquincum, there was a special place for a mother goddess. The worship of emperors was also common.

Christianity started to grow in Pannonia during the 2nd century and kept growing even when there were difficult times. In the 4th century, churches and small chapels were built. We know about a church dedicated to Saint Quirinus in Savaria and many early Christian memories from places like Aquincum and Sopianae.