Roman Fort in Iža - Kelemantia

 
 

The main role of the Roman army, consisting of 25 000 men placed along the North- Pannonian Limes in the 2nd century AD in noumerous fortifications, was to guard and protect this part of Empire against the possible attacks of Germanic tribes. Their aim was not to create an unpenetrateable border, but in contrary, apart of defensive role, they guarded the Danubian fords, supervised the trade and protected the province against the robberies with violence.

The Roman army had also other important roles. Besides the building of the military sites, they also built roads, bridges, water conduits, canals and ships. The ships were supposed to be used mainly for military uses, but also helped with the foundation of the quick economic development of the province. Soldiers with regular income, were the main source of the economic power.

Mainly the supplying of the army with large quantities of food and goods of everyday needs, but also a great interest in various craftsmen products, services and also luxuries, caused the foundation and rising of bigger civil settlements (canabae) in the vicinity of large legionary fortresses, or smaler (vicus) in the surrounding of smaller army forts all along the Empire borders. These settlements were founded by merchants, craftsmen, the soldiers´ relatives, innkeepers but also the brothel keepers. Often, the veterans (veteranus) after retiring from their service settled down here. This way the Roman army in Pannonia contributed to the romanisation and urbanisation of the newly founded province.

The building of the North-Pannonian border

The Roman Army

The armament and equipment of the Roman Soldiers

Marcomannic wars on the Danube

The period of prosperity and decline

The last attempts and the decline of the Roman authority

 

                                                                                                          

    © ElenaBlazova