Viminacium

NATIONAL MUSEUM POZAREVAC
Dragana Spasi} - \uri}
VIMINACIUM
the capital of the Roman
province of
Upper Moesia
Pozarevac 2002.

NARODNI MUZEJ PO@AREVAC
Dragana Spasi} - \uri}
VIMINACIJUM
glavni grad rimske
provincije
Gorwe Mezije
Po`arevac 2002.

Izdava~
NARODNI MUZEJ PO@AREVAC
Po`arevac, Voje Duli}a 10
e-mail: muzejpo@ptt.yu
www.museum-po.org.yu
Publisher:
NATIONAL MUSEUM POZAREVAC
Po`arevac, Voje Duli}a 10
e-mail: muzejpo@ptt.yu
www.museum-po.org.yu
Glavni i odgovorni urednik
Violeta Tomi}
Editor in Chief
Violeta Tomi}
Recenzent
Aleksandar Jovanovi}
Reviewed by
Aleksandar Jovanovi}
Prevod
Vedran Drowi}
Translation
Vedran Dronji}
Fotografije
Stanko Kosti}
Mario Lisovski
Foto-dokumentacija Muzeja
Photographs
Stanko Kosti}
Mario Lisovski
Foto-documentation of Museum
Lektura
Milena Milo{evi}
Proof reading
Milena Milo{evi}
Grafi~ki dizajn
Dragana Spasi} - \uri}
Graphic design
Dragana Spasi} - \uri}
Tehni~ki urednik
Danijel Lisovski
Publishing editor
Danijel Lisovski
[tampa
„ Kompromis - dizajn“
Po`arevac, ]ebina 28
Print
“Kompromis - dizajn“
Po`arevac, ]ebina 28
Tira`
1000 primeraka
Printed in
1000 copies
ISBN 86-84147-00-6
Na koricama:
- novac Viminacijuma, godina I
- razglednica Kostolca sa po~etka XX veka
Front page:
- Viminacium mint, year I
- Kostolac, postcard from the begining 20 th century

PREDGOVOR
FOREWORD
Zna~ajna i poduhvatna
kwiga o izuzetnom povodu.
Namirilo se oko 120 leta od kada
su, Mihajlo Valtrovi}, a potom i
Miloje Vasi} sa vinkelmanskom
radoznalo{}u i erudicijom,
zapo~eli istra`ivawe i odtajnivawe
Viminacijuma. Odazvali su se
pozivu vekova, za{li u tamno i
duboko jezgro arheolo{ke zbiqe,
ostaviv{i generacijama da se
lagano pribli`avaju otisku grada,
krune mezijskih prostranstava.
Obuhva}en je milenijum: od ra|awa
kobne keltske delfijske po`ude
po~etkom III veka p.n.e., do
brani~evskog novog osvita
po~etkom VII veka n.e.
Darovao je Viminacijum
mnogo sun~anog i mese~evog sjaja,
ali je i tajna rasla do zvezda i
vilinskih pri~a. Dragana Spasi} -
\uri} je u ovoj bremenitoj i
beri}etnoj kwizi dosegla granice
do kojih se na ovom stepenu
istra`enosti mo`e do}i; i vi{e
od toga: nagovestila je sjaj
zatomqenih horizonata i onih
otvorenih za prepoznate naslute
It is important and enterprising
book about an extraordinary
motive. 120 years hve passed since
Mihajlo Valtrovit} and then Miloje
Vasi} started researching and solving
the secret with Winkelman’s curiosity
and erudition. They responded to an
appeal from centuries, went into a
dark and dept core of archeological
reality, having left to generations to
approach slowly to the mark of the
town, to the crown of Moesia’s extent.
A millennium was included: since the
birth of evil Celtic lust from the
beginning of the 7 th century A.D.
Viminacium gave much
splendour of the sun and the moon
but the secret kept growing up to the
border to which it may be reached at
this level of research and much more
than this: she indicated the splendour
of darkened horizons as well as those
opened ones for recognized anticipations
of future research works. Each
chapter is a powerful irrefutable sudy
of various segments of Viminacium’s
story. The book is intended and wel-
5

udu}ih izu~avawa. Svako poglavqe
je stamena, neporeciva studija
razli~itih segmenata viminacijumske
pri~e. Kwiga je namewena, i
dobrodo{la, svima: od zavi~ajnog
znati`eqnika do kutaka akademskih
biblioteka, najve}ih
steci{ta humanisti~kih znawa.
Dragana Spasi} - \uri} je
Viminacijum, koji ima u srcu,
ponudila svakom viminacijskom
namerniku i pohodniku. Kwigu
„ VIMINACIJUM - GLAVNI
GRAD RIMSKE PROVINCIJE
GORWE MEZIJE“, pravi beleg,
preporu~ujem svim sakupqa~ima
delova davnog sveta i onima
zahva}enim titrajem arheolo{kog
odgonetawa.
Kotor 21. VI 2002.
Prof. dr Aleksandar
Jovanovi}
come to everybody: from the curious
homeland people to the corners of
academic libraries, the greatest meeting
places of humanistic knowledge.
Dragana Spasi} - Djuri} has offered
Viminacium, which she has in her
heart, to every unexpected guest of
Viminacium and visitor too. I recommend
the book „Viminacium - the
Capital of Roman Province Upper
Moesia“, a real mark, to all collectors
of the parts of the ancient world as
well as to all those taken by the flicker
of archeological solving.
Kotor, June 21st, 2002
Prof. dr Aleksandar
Jovanovi}
6

Uvod
Introduction

Sme{ten na U{}u, raspet u prostoru
izme|u Istoka i Zapada, Severa i
Juga, Viminacijum be{e izazov za Nebo i
Bogove, osvaja~e i dobronamerne putnike,
misionare i trgovce. Bez obzira na
razloge i motive, svi oni su , u ovom tlu,
na ovim obalama, prepoznavali uslove svog
opstanka i trajawa. Viminacijum je bio i
ostao veliki arheolo{ki izazov i
zagonetka, kako za prve istori~are i
putopisce XIX, tako i za nas, arheologe
XXI veka. Kopaju}i i tragaju}i po debelim
slojevima zemqe, mo`da nismo na{li
mnoge odgovore ali smo naslutili
granice.
Sve to vreme, Viminacijum postojano
traje u prostoru i vremenu, odolevaju}i
ru{ewima i pqa~kawima, dokazuju}i
da ne postoji ni{ta {to mo`e biti
poru{eno. Hrpe opeka, bezbroj kerami~kih
fragmenata i delovi mermernih stubova,
~ekaju na novo gra|ewe i tanano
i{~itavawe viminacijumskog rukopisa. U
blizini Kostolca, u nepreglednim
sti{kim poqima, skrivene su tajne nekada{we
stvarnosti, zna~ajne za re{ewe
kqu~nih pitawa iz anti~ke politi~ke,
ekonomske i kulturne istorije Srbije i
Balkana.
Svesni smo ~iwenice da istra-
`ivawe nije ni na ~ijoj strani, ve} je
poput mosta gde se sre}u dva sveta udaqena
ponorom vremena, a sve radi stvarawa
istine o svetu i ~oveku. Pred nama je
Located at a confluence, stranded
in the space between East and West, North
and South, Viminacium was a challenge to
Heaven and Gods, to conquerors and
well-meaning travellers, to missionaries
and merchants. Regardless of their reasons
and motives, all of them recognised
the conditions of their survival and
endurance in this ground, in these banks.
Viminacium has been and is a great
archaeological challenge and puzzle, as
much to the first historians and travel
writers of the 19 th century as to us, 21 st
century archaeologists. Whilst many an
answer may have eluded us as we dug and
searched through thick layers of earth, we
have come to feel where the boundaries
lie.
All this while Viminacium has lasted
unwaveringly in space and time, resisting
devastation and looting, proving that there is
nothing which can be destroyed. Heaps of
bricks, numberless ceramic fragments and
parts of marble columns await a new building
and delicate reading of the Viminacium
manuscript. In the vicinity of Kostolac, under
the vast fields of Stig, hidden lie the secrets
of a former reality, crucial for solving some
key issues of the political, economic and cultural
history of classical Serbia and the
Balkans.
We are aware of the fact that research
takes no sides. It, nonetheless, resembles a
bridge where two worlds separated by the
9

slo`en, ali beskrajno lep zadatak:
pro~i{}ewe, poja{wewe tog vremena i
otkri}e ogromnog qudskog prisustva na
ovim prostorima. Spoznati obim tog
vremena, zna~i izbrisati pojmove OVDE i
SADA, TADA i TAMO, probiti naslage
zemqe i tame, o`iveti davnog, viminacijumskog
~oveka, obezdu{enog tela,
prigu{enih re~i ...! Prekriti papir
re~ima koje su davno izgovorene, spoznati
re~i @IVOTA i ono {to kazuje viminacijumska
pro{lost, u tvrdim glinenim,
kamenim ili metalnim re~enicama.
Naslutiti daleka se}awa, arhitekturu
unutarweg sveta! Otkriti zidove,
krovove, ulice... obnoviti spoqa, obnoviti
iznutra sve ono {to kazuju hiqade
predmeta iznedrenih iz wiva. Iz wih
izrawa ~ovek - stvaralac i energija
neprekidnog trajawa; zvuk zlatarskog
~eki}a pri kovawu, de~iji smeh u igri,
drhtaj hirur{ke ruke, uzdah umornog
vojnika, mete` u pristani{tu pri istovaru
amfora, odraz u ogledalu pomodne
Rimqanke... qudske sudbine slu~ajno ili
namerno otisnute u istoriji i prolaznosti,
zabele`ene u glini, na vinskom
peharu, sve`em malteru, ili samo kao
otisak stopala i beleg hri{}anina na
sve`oj opeci. Svejedno.
Vajana u glini, livena u metalu,
rezana u slonova~i, klesana u mermeru,
pred nama je jo{ jedna pri~a koja li~i na
razvijawe pergamentskog svitka, kao deo
na{eg dugog arheolo{kog razgovora sa
ovim tajnovitim anti~kim gradom.
chasm of time meet in order to create the
truth about the world and man. We face a
complex but endlessly enjoyable task: purifying
and clarifying a time and revealing the
enormity of human presence in this territory.
To comprehend that time means to shed the
notions of HERE and NOW, THEN and
THERE, to penetrate layer after layer of
earth and darkness, to revive ancient
Viminacium man, with his body now deprived
of a soul, with his muffled words...! To cover
paper with words spoken long ago, to grasp
the words of LIFE and what Viminacium’s
past recounts in solid clay, stone or metal
sentences. To feel distant memories, the
architecture of the inner world! To uncover
walls, roofs, streets... to restore on the outside,
to restore on the inside all which is told
by thousands of objects that have emerged
from these fields. From these objects appears
man - the creator and the energy of endless
durability; the sound of a goldsmith’s hammer
while forging, the laughter of a child at
play, the quiver of a surgeon’s hand, the sigh
of a weary soldier, the bustle in the port as
amphorae are being unloaded, the mirror
reflection of a trendy Roman woman... human
destinies imprinted in history and transience,
by chance or on purpose, captured in clay,
on a wine beaker, in wet mortar or merely
as a footprint or a mark a Christian left on
a wet brick. It is all the same.
Sculpted in clay, cast in metal, cut in
ivory, carved in marble, we face yet another
story, which resembles unfolding a scroll of
parchment, as part of our long archaeological
discourse with this mysterious classical
city.
10

Viminacijum - glavni grad rimske
provincije Gorwe Mezije
Viminacium - the capital of the Roman
province of Upper Moesia

Najve}e gradsko naseqe u Gorwoj
Meziji, Viminacijum, nastaje na desnoj
obali Mlave, u blizini wenog u{}a u
Dunav, kod dana{weg Kostolca. To je
oblast plodne sti{ke ravnice sa jasno
ome|enim prirodnim granicama: Dunavom
na severu, rekom Mlavom i Sopotskom gredom
na zapadu i ograncima Homoqskih
planina na istoku i jugoistoku (sl. 1).
Topografsko-geografske i strate-
{ke pogodnosti, plodna re~na zale|a i
blizina rudnih zona, uslovili su kontinuitet
naseqavawa od starijeg neolita do
savremenog doba. Privredni, kulturni i
duhovni preduslovi, stvarani tokom 6
milenijuma, predstavqa}e osnovu razvoja u
istorijskom periodu, kada ova oblast biva
ukqu~ena u tokove anti~ke civilizacije,
{to }e biti od dalekose`nog zna~aja za
wen daqi razvoj.
Podru~je Viminacijuma je ~inilo
jednu dobro povezanu celinu iz koje su se
ra~vali putevi ka zapadnim, isto~nim i
ju`nim oblastima Carstva. Na u{}u Mlave
u Dunav ukr{tale su se tri va`ne komunikacije.
Glavni put je dolazio sa zapada,
od Akvileje, preko Sirmijuma, Singidunuma,
Marguma do Viminacijuma, odakle se
odvajao put ka jugu, do Naisa. Od Naisa se
granao prema Trakiji i izlazio na Bosfor,
a ju`ni je preko Makedonije vodio ka
Gr~koj. Druga va`na komunikacija je, du`
Dunava, povezivala provinciju Panoniju sa
Crnim morem. Tre}i put je preko Lederate
(Rama), povezivao Viminacijum sa Dakijom
i transilvanskim rudnicima.
Zahvaquju}i izvanrednim komunikacijama,
pre svega Dunavu i wemu
The largest city of Upper Moesia,
Viminacium, was formed on the right bank of
the river Mlava, close to its confluence with the
Danube, near the present-day town of Kostolac.
It is the area of the fertile plains of Stig, with
clearly-cut natural boundaries: the Danube to the
north, the river Mlava and the long and narrow
Sopot hill to the west, and a branch of the
Homolje mountains to the east and south-east
(figure 1).
Favourable topographic and strategic conditions,
fertile river valleys and the proximity of
ore-rich areas, all contributed to the fact that the
region has been continuously inhabited since the
Late Neolithic period until the present day. The
economic, cultural and spiritual assets created
during the 6 th millennium BC acted as a basis
for development in the historical period, when
this region was part of the Classical civilization,
which was of far-reaching significance for its
subsequent development.
The area of Viminacium comprised a
well-integrated whole from where roads spread
in all directions, toward the western, eastern and
southern parts of the Empire. Three important
communications intersected at the confluence of
the Mlava and the Danube. The main road led
from the west, from Aquileia, through Sirmium,
Singidunum, Margum, till Viminacium, where a
road leading south, to Naissus, started. It split in
two branches after Naissus, one branch leading
to Thrace and ending on the shore of the
Bosphorus, while the southern branch led to
Greece through Macedonia. The second significant
communication connected the province of
Pannonia with the Black Sea along the Danube.
The third road connected Viminacium with Dacia
and the mines of Transylvania, passing through
13

1. Polo`aj Viminacijuma, izvod iz sekcije Po`arevac 4, razmera 1:50,000
Viminacium location - from topography chart Po`arevac 4, proportion 1:50,000
usmerenim tokovima Morave, Mlave i
Peka, Viminacijum je imao prvostepenu
strate{ku va`nost za rimsku Imperiju,
kao vezni oslonac za naseqa i utvr|ewa
uzvodno i nizvodno, ali i za metalogenetsko
homoqsko-zvi{ko zale|e, primarni
strate{ko-ekonomski interes Carstva.
Stoga je gradwa puteva dobrog kvaliteta i
smi{qeno trasiranih, sa miqokazima i
putnim stanicama (mansio, mutatio, statio,
Lederata (Ram);
Owing to excellent communications,
especially the Danube, as well as its tributaries,
the Morava, the Mlava and the Pek, Viminacium
was of primary strategic importance for the
Roman Empire, offering important support to settlements
and fortifications up and down the
Danube, but also for the ore-rich regions of
Homolje and Zvizd, which were of primary
strategic concern to the Empire. This is why the
14

2. Polo`aj Viminacijuma u Carstvu, National Geographic Society, Washington 1997.
Viminacium location in the Roman empire, National Geographic Society, Washington 1997.
civitas, vicus) za odmor i promenu zaprege,
zapo~ela relativno rano, po~etkom I v. O
wima, osim pisanih i slikanih itinerara
(itineraria adnotata i itineraria picta), govore i
arheolo{ki ostaci na terenu, odnosno
vidqivi deo trase puta Viminacium-Lederata
i Viminacium-Iovis Pagus (V. Laole).
Izuzetno povoqan polo`aj Viminacijuma
na severnom Balkanu, doprineo
je wegovom naglom privrednom i kulturnom
usponu, koji }e obele`iti kosmopolitski
elementi u svim sferama
`ivota. 1
Predrimski period i etni~ki sastav
starosedelaca na teritoriji Viminacijuma
1 Detaqno o istoriji Viminacijuma vid. u: M. Mirkovi},
Rimski gradovi na Dunavu u Gornjoj Meziji, Beograd 1968, 56-
73; M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions De la Mésie Supérieure, Vol. II,
Viminacium et Margum, Beograd 1986, 21-59.
construction of well-routed good quality roads,
with road signs and roadside stations (mansio,
mutatio, statio, civitas, vicus), which served for
rest and changing of horses started relatively
early on, around the beginning of the 1 st century.
Apart from written and painted itineraries
(itineraria adnotata and itineraria picta), archaeological
finds in the field confirm their existence:
the visible sections of the roads Viminacium-
Lederata and Viminacium-Iovis Pagus (V.
Laole).
The exceptionally favourable location of
Viminacium within the northern Balkans brought
about its sudden economic and cultural growth,
1 A detailed account of the history of Viminacium can be found in:
M. Mirkovic, Rimski gradovi na Dunavu u Gornjoj Meziji, Beograd
1968, 56-73; M. Mirkovic, Inscriptions De la Mésie Supérieure, Vol.
II, Viminacium Et Margum, Beograd 1986, 21-59.
15

3. Kasnolatenski arheolo{ki nalazi, I vek p. n. ere - I vek nove ere
Late La Tène archaeological finds, 1 st century B. C. - 1 st century A. D.
jo{ uvek je nedovoqno istorijski i arheolo{ki
osvetqen. Podaci anti~kih pisaca
o plemenima na sredwem Dunavu, nedovoqni
su za re{avawe slo`enog problema
etni~kih me{awa i utvr|ivawe prave
prirode politi~kih, ekonomskih i kulturnih
prilika, koje su prethodile
kona~noj vojno-politi~koj stabilizaciji
Rimqana. Vesti anti~kih pisaca, Justina,
Ateneja i Strabona o osnivawu plemenske
zajednice Skordiska, daju osnovne
geografske repere uz nagove{taje o
etni~koj {arolikosti te zajednice, koju
osim Kelta, ~ine tra~ka i ilirska plemena.
Prema Strabonovom izve{taju,
Viminacijum se nalazio u oblasti Malih
Skordiska koji `ive izme{ani sa
Tra~anima. Ptolemej navodi da se Viminacijum
nalazi izme|u plemena Trikowana
koji predstavqaju deo Skordiska i
Pikenza koji `ive na dana{wem Peku.
Ne{to vi{e podataka u tom smislu
pru`ila su za{titna arheolo{ka
which was to be marked by a presence of cosmopolitan
elements in all segments of life. 1
Insufficient light has been cast on the
pre-Roman period and ethnic composition of the
indigenous population in the territory of
Viminacium both from historical and archaeological
aspects. The data classical authors supply
about the tribes in the middle part of the flow of
the Danube is insufficient for solving the intricate
problem of ethnic mixing and for establishing
what the true nature of political, economic
and cultural circumstances prior to definitive military
and political stabilization of the Romans
was. The news that classical authors Justinian,
Athenaeus and Strabo supply about the establishing
of a tribal community of the Scordiscs
offer some basic geographical milestones along
with hints about ethnic diversity in the community,
which apart from Celts, was comprised of
Thracian and Illyric tribes. According to Strabo’s
account, Viminacium was situated in the territory
of the Little Scordiscs, who lived mixed with
Thracians. Ptolemaeus states that Viminacium is
16

4. Tabula Peutingeriana, IV vek n. e., Monumenta cartographica, Jugoslaviae I, Beograd 1974.
Tabula Peutingeriana, IV th century A. D., Monumenta cartographica, Jugoslaviae I, Beograd 1974.
istra`ivawa, tokom kojih je otkrivena
starokeltska nekropola „ Pe}ine“, kao i
pojedina~na otkri}a iz latenskog i poznolatenskog
perioda. Starokeltska nekropola,
nastala u vreme prvog prodora
Isto~nih Kelta na Balkan, ukazuje da se u
Viminacijumu nalazio sabirni logor keltskih
~eta, odakle je izvr{en pohod na
Gr~ku i Delfe, 279. g. p. n. e. 2 Brojni latensituated
between the territory of the tribe of
Tricornians, who belong to the Scordiscs and
Picensi, who lived along what is today known as
the river Pek. More information in this respect
was obtained during the protective archaeological
works during which an ancient Celtic necropolis
called “Pecine“ was discovered, as well as certain
finds dating from the La Téne and Late La
Téne periods. The ancient Celtic necropolis, built
during the first penetration of the Eastern Celts
into the Balkans, suggests that Viminacium was
the location of an assembly camp of the Celtic
2 B, Jovanovi}, Les sépulteres de la nécropole céltique de Pe}ine
pres de Kostolac, Etudes Celtiques XXI, Paris 1984, 64-93; B.
Jovanovi}, Nekropola na Pe}inama i starije gvozdeno
doba Podunavqa, Starinar XXXVI, Beograd 1985, 13-17.
2 B, Jovanovi}, Les sépulteres de la nécropole céltique de Pe}ine
pres de Kostolac, Etudes Celtiques XXI, Paris 1984, 64-93; B.
Jovanovi}, Nekropola na Pe}inama i starije gvozdeno
doba Podunavqa, Starinar XXXVI, Beograd 1985, 13-17.
17

5. Opeke legije VII Claudia
Legio VII Claudia stamped bricks
ski lokaliteti iz perioda posle 279. g. p. n.
e. sa elementima hal{tatske i dako-getske
kulture, dokazuju sna`nu koncentraciju
Skordiska, plemenske zajednice koja je
etni~ki heterogena. 3
Viminacijum se nalazi u svim rimskim
kartama, tzv. itinerarima. U Tabuli
Peutingeriana (nastaloj oko 340. g., na
osnovu starijih itinerara iz III veka),
(slika 4) navodi se kao Viminatio, u
Itinerarium Antonini kao Viminacio i
Euminacio, a u Itinerarium Burdigalense kao
civitas Viminacio. Vizantijski pisci ga
pomiwu kao biminakion.
troops from where the military campaign against
Greece and Delphi in the year 279 BC was
launched. 2 The numerous La Téne sites from the
period after 279 BC, displaying elements of the
Hallstatt and Daco-Getian cultures, are proof of
a strong concentration of the Scordiscs, an ethnically
heterogeneous tribe. 3
Viminacium can be found on all Roman
maps, the socalled itineraries. On Tabula Peutigeriana
(dating around the year 340, based on
older itineraries from the 3 rd century), (figure 4)
it appears under the name of Viminatio, in
Itinera-rium Antonini it appears as Viminacio and
Eumi-nacio and in Itinerarium Burdigalense as
3 D. Jacanovi}, Keltski grob iz Kostolca, VIMINACIVM
2, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1988, 7-14; D. Jacanovi},
Kasnolatenski lokalitet „ Dunavac“ u Kostolcu,
Glasnik SAD 13, Beograd 1997, 127-131; D. Spasi},
Slu~ajni nalazi keltskog porekla sa lokaliteta
„ ^air“ u Starom Kostolcu, VIMINACIVM 7, ZRNM,
Po`arevac 1992, 5-20; D. Spasi}, Prilog prou~avawu
tradicije Skordiska u Viminacijumu, Glasnik SAD 13,
Beograd 1997, 33-45; P. Popovi}, Ostava iz Kostolca i
osvrt na jedan predlog hronologije drahmi Apolonije i
Dirahija, Numizmati~ar 13, Beograd 1990, 5-16, TAB.
I, II.
3 D. Jacanovi}, Keltski grob iz Kostolca, VIMINACIVM
2, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1988, 7-14; D. Jacanovi},
Kasnolatenski lokalitet „ Dunavac“ u Kostolcu,
Glasnik SAD 13, Beograd 1997, 127-131; D. Spasi},
Slu~ajni nalazi keltskog porekla sa lokaliteta
„ ^air“ u Starom Kostolcu, VIMINACIVM 7, ZRNM,
Po`arevac 1992, 5-20; D. Spasi}, Prilog prou~avawu
tradicije Skordiska u Viminacijumu, Glasnik SAD 13,
Beograd 1997, 33-45; P. Popovi}, Ostava iz Kostolca i
osvrt na jedan predlog hronologije drahmi Apolonije i
Dirahija, Numizmati~ar 13, Beograd 1990, 5-16, TAB.
I, II.
18

6. Oprema rimskog vojnika,
Narodni muzej Po`arevac
Equipment of a Roman solder,
Natinal Museum Pozarevac
19

Civitas Viminacio. Byzantine authors mention it
as biminakion.
There are numerous interpretations of the
origin of the city’s name. Although none of these
can be properly verified, they clearly reflect the
complex ethnic situation during the proto-historic
existence of this community. One of the interpretations
is that the name is Celtic in origin, due
to the typical suffix - acium, while the root of
O poreklu imena grada postoje
razli~ite interpretacije, koje jo{ uvek
nisu pouzdano dokumentovane, ali jasno
odra`avaju slo`enu etni~ku situaciju u
protoistorijskom periodu ove teritorije.
Prva tuma~ewa smatraju da je ime keltskog
porekla, zbog karakteristi~nog nastavka -
acium, dok se osnova imena nalazi u toponomastici
onih teritorija koje su bile naseqene
Keltima. Drugo mi{qewe smatra da
je re~ latinska, a u vezi sa vimen-vrba koja
je upotrebqavana u ranoj arhitekturi kao
pleter. Potvr|eno sna`no prisustvo keltskog
elementa i kontinuitet latenske kulture
od IV v. p. n. e. - I v. n. e. ~ine verovatnijom
mogu}nost postojawa keltskog
utvr|ewa - oppidum-a, ~ije je ime kasnije
prilago|eno latinskom nazivu.
Nastanak Viminacijuma usledio je
nakon dugih ratova, koji su tokom I v. p.n.e.
vo|eni sa zate~enim domorodnim stanovni{tvom,
uz uporno nastojawe Rimqana
da se u~vrste u ovom, strate{ki va`nom
the name is found in the inventory of place
names in territories inhabited by Celts. Another
interpretation implies a Latin origin of the word,
connected to vimen (a willow), as willow was
used for thatching in early architecture. The confirmed
substantial presence of the Celtic element
and a continuity of Roman culture from 4 th century
BC to 1 st century AD should seem to suggest
the existence of an original Celtic fortress -
an oppidum, the name of which was later modified
into a Latin form.
20

delu Podunavqa. Jo{ za vreme Avgusta
bila je uspostavqena vojna kontrola
granice na Dunavu, izgradwom mawih fortifikacija
ili postavqawem praesidia,
koja su imala zadatak da kontroli{u
pokrete Da~ana na levoj obali. Kona~no
osvajawe Mezije zavr{eno je nakon Tiberijevih
panonskih ratova (oko 15. g. p. n. e.),
kada je osvojena i zemqa Skordiska. Pretvarawe
Mezije u provinciju obi~no se
datuje u 15. g. n. e. Od tada, istorija Viminacijuma
u neposredenoj je vezi sa vojno-politi~kim
doga|ajima u novostvorenoj provinciji.
Naglo sna`ewe plemena sa leve obale
Dunava, tokom I v.n.e., dovodi do ja~awa
odbrambenog sistema podizawem logora,
najpre zemqanih, a zatim kamenih.
Dolaskom legije VII Claudia iz Dalmacije,
60-tih ili 70-tih godina, zapo~iwe
izgradwa zidanog logora u Viminacijumu.
Da li je stalnom logoru sa arhitekturom od
kamena prethodilo privremeno utvr|ewe
sa zemqanim nasipima, palisadama i drvenim
gra|evinama, pokaza}e budu}a iskopavawa?
Mi{qewa pojedinih autora da se
stalni logor legije IV Scythica, nakon wenog
dolaska u Meziju oko 15. g. n. e., nalazio u
Viminacijumu, za sada jo{ uvek nije arheolo{ki
potvr|eno.
U gra|evinskim radovima na izgradwi
logora, osim pripadnika legije VII
Claudia, u~estvovala je i legija IV Flavia ili
samo neka wena odeqewa. Nalazi olovnih
cevi sa `igovima LEG IIII F F i / LE / G VII C,
poslu`ili su kao osnova za tvr|ewe da su
se obe legije, u periodu od 70-90. odnosno,
izme|u 86 i 89., g. nalazile u Viminacijumu.
Zao{travawe vojne situacije na
Dunavu u drugoj polovini I v. i potreba za
ve}om efikasno{}u u za{titi dunavske
granice, dovodi za vreme Domicijana, 86. g.,
do podele Mezije na Gorwu (Superior) i
Dowu (Inferior). Glavni grad Gorwe Mezije
postaje Viminacijum sa stalnom posadom
legije VII Claudia sve do kraja antike. Nagli
Viminacium was founded following long
wars against the indigenous population which the
Romans waged during the 1 st century BC, while
persistently attempting to gain a stronghold in
this strategically important part of the flow of the
Danube. Military control of the border was established
as early as the reign of Augustus, by
means of building small fortifications or by setting
up praesidiae, which had the task of controlling
the movements of the Dacians on the left
bank. The conquest of Moesia was completed
after Tiberius’ Pannonian wars (around 15 BC),
when the land of the Scordiscs was subjugated.
The promotion of Moesia into a province is usually
believed to have taken place in 15 AD.
Since then, the history of Viminacium was in
immediate connection with military and political
events in the newly-created province. An abrupt
strengthening of the tribes on the left bank of the
Danube during the 1 st century AD caused a
strengthening of the defence system by building
camps, with earth buildings at first, later to be
replaced by stone ones.
With the arrival of legion VII Claudia
from Dalmatia during the 60’s and the 70’s, the
construction of a stone camp in Viminacium
commenced. Whether or not this permanent
camp with stone architecture was preceded by a
temporary fortification with earth ramparts, palisades
and wooden buildings is yet to be shown
by future excavations. The opinions of certain
authors that Viminacium was home to the permanent
camp of legion IV Scythica upon its
arrival in Moesia around 15 BC have not as yet
been archaeologically confirmed.
Apart from soldiers of legion VII
Claudia, legion IV Flavia, or some of its divisions,
also took part in the construction works
during building the camp. The finds of lead pipes
bearing the inscriptions „LEG III F F“ and
„/LE/G VII C“ have served as a basis for claims
that both these legions were in Viminacium in
the period between the years 70 and 90, and
between 86 and 89 respectively.
The aggravation of the military circum-
21

7. M. Aurelije (161. - 180. g.)
M. Aurelius (A.D. 161-180)
zamah u gra|evinskim radovima, podizawe
puteva i kastela na strategijskim ~vorovima,
kao i pove}awe mezijskih legija na
~etiri (VII Claudia, V Alauda, VIII Avgusta i V
Macedonica), deo je priprema za rat sa
Da~anima. U po~etku Trajanove vlade (98-
117.g.), gra|en je put od Viminacijuma
prema Lederati (Ramu), kod koje je izvr{eno
prebacivawe trupa u Dakiju. U vreme
Trajanovih da~kih ratova (101-106. g.),
Viminacijum je glavna baza za koncentraciju
rimskih vojnih snaga. Prema nekim
autorima, Viminacijum se nalazi predstavqen
i na ~uvenom Trajanovom stubu
koji ilustruje doga|aje iz Da~kih ratova.
Nakon pobedonosnih ratova, i formirawem
provincije Dakije, granica je za
du`e vreme pomerena sa desne obale Dunava
duboko na sever. Nastaje jedan sasvim
miran period, koga }e obele`iti proces
urbanizacije i romanizacije.
Stalno prisustvo vojnika VII Claudia
i odeqewa drugih legija, dovelo je do naseqavawa
civila iz svih delova Carstva,
stances along the Danube during the second half
of the 1 st century and the want of greater efficiency
in protecting the Danube border led to the
division of Moesia into Upper Moesia (M.
Superior) and Lower Moesia (M. Inferior), in 86
during the reign of Domitian. Viminacium
became the capital of Upper Moesia, with a permanent
garrison comprised of members of legion
VII Claudia remaining there until the end of the
Classical period. The sudden increase in the
scope of construction works at building roads
and castles at strategic junctions, as well as the
raising of the number of Moesian legions to four
(VII Claudia, V Alauda, VIII Augusta and V
Macedonica) were part of the preparations for a
war with the Dacians. The road from
Viminacium to Lederata (Ram) was built during
the initial years of the reign of Trajan (years 98-
117) and Lederata was the place where Roman
troops were ferried over into Dacia. Viminacium
was the centre of concentration of Roman troops
during Trajan’s Dacian wars (years 101-106).
According to some authors, Viminacium is
depicted on the famous Trajan’s Column, which
22

naro~ito, zanatlija i trgovaca. Viminacijum
brzo izrasta u grad {to je i ozvani~eno
progla{ewem municipijuma, pod Hadrijanom
117. g. Na natpisima se pomiwe kao
MVNICIPIVM AELIVM VIMINACIVM.
Viminacijum postaje sudski i administrativno
autonoman, a deo wegovih peregrinih
stanovnika je primio rimsko gra|ansko
pravo. Gradu je dodeqena {ira municipalna
teritorija koja se na zapadu prostirala
do Marguma, na istoku do Pinkuma, dok je
wegovu ju`nu stranu te`e odrediti.
Ekonomski razvoj dobija novi zamah
obele`en intenzivirawem produkcije ve}
postoje}ih i osnivawem novih radioni~kih
centara.
Za vreme Marka Aurelija (161-
180.g.), dunavska granica je ugro`ena nadirawem
plemena sa Istoka, Sarmata, Jaziga
i Roksolana. Tokom carevih ratova na
Dunavu, Viminacijum je ponovo postao
zna~ajna strate{ka baza. U Viminacijumu
tada hara kuga koju je vojska donela sa
Istoka, {to je potvr|eno tokom arheolo{kih
istra`ivawa ju`nih nekropola.
Ratovi na Istoku i Zapadu krajem II i u III
veku nisu direktno uticali na istoriju
Viminacijuma, ali su se posredno odrazili
na wegov razvoj i ekonomski prosperitet.
Izuzetan polo`aj na raskr{}u Carstva
zadr`a}e u Viminacijumu mnoge careve
zajedno sa vojskom koja ih je pratila. Tako
je pri odlasku u Rim, 196. g., Septimije
Sever posetio Viminacijum i tu proglasio
za cezara svog starijeg sina Basijana,
zvanog Karakala. Pri povratku sa Istoka,
202. g., zabele`ena je druga careva poseta,
kada su verovatno obnovqene kanabe legije
VII Claudia. Na svojim proputovawima u
Viminacijumu su se, kra}e ili du`e,
zadr`ali i Karakala, Aleksandar Sever,
Gordijan III i dr.
Promena u pravnom statusu Viminacijuma
nastaje pod Gordijanom III, kada
dobija najve}u privilegiju i stepen koji je
illustrates the events from the Dacian wars. After
a victory in these wars and upon the formation
of the province of Dacia, the border was moved
for a longer period, to the right bank of the
Danube and far to the north. This was to bring
about an utterly peaceful period which was to
be marked by a process of urbanization and
Romanization.
A constant presence of the soldiers of VII
Claudia and of divisions of other legions caused
an influx of civilians from all parts of the
empire, especially of craftsmen and merchants.
Viminacium quickly grew into a city, which was
made official by declaring it a municipium during
the reign of Hadrian, in the year 117. It is
mentioned in various inscriptions as MVNICIP-
IVM AELIVM VIMINACIVM. Viminacium became
judicially and administratively autonomous, and a
part of its colonist population was admitted into
Roman citizenship. The city was allocated a
wider municipal territory, stretching to Margum
in the west and Pincum in the east, while its
southern boundary is more difficult to determine.
The economic development entered a new period
of upsurge, marked by intensified production
in the existing and the founding of new crafts
centres.
During the reign of Marcus Aurelius (years
161-180), the Danube border was threatened by
a penetration of tribes from the east, the
Sarmatians, the Iazigs and the Roxolans. During
the emperor’s wars on the Danube Viminacium
had once again become a key strategic base.
This was a period of plague in Viminacium,
which had been brought by the troops from the
east, which was confirmed during the archaeological
excavations of the southern necropolises.
Wars in the east and in the west around the end
of the 2 nd and in the 3 rd century did not directly
affect the history of Viminacium, but their
effects indirectly reflected on its development
and economic prosperity. Its exceptional location
at an important junction within the Empire
earned Viminacium the extended visits of many
an emperor along with their accompanying
23

8. Kar (282.-283. g.)
Carus (A. D. 282-283)
mogao dosti}i jedan provincijski grad.
Postao je kolonija, a wegovi stanovnici su
postali punopravni rimski gra|ani.
Posledice ovog doga|aja su vi{estruke,
kako u politi~kom i ekonomskom, tako i u
urbanisti~kom smislu. Po dobijawu statusa
kolonije, zemqi{ni posedi Viminacijuma
(ager, territorium), verovatno su se
pro{irili na ceo Stig i Pinkum sa rudnikom
. Najve}a privilegija kolonije bilo
je pravo kovawa svog novca.
U III veku, kada u celom Carstvu kulminira
velika kriza, Viminacijum
do`ivqava svoj najve}i politi~ki i
ekonomski uspon. O~igledno da su okolnosti
izazvane istorijskim doga|ajima, (ratni
sukobi u ovim oblastima, izuzetna va`nost
troops. For example, Septimius Severus visited
Viminacium on his way to Rome and this is
where he declared his elder son Bassian (known
by the nickname of Caracalla) emperor. In 202,
on his way from the east, the second visit by the
emperor was recorded, which is probably when
the barracks (canabae) of legion VII Claudia
were renewed. On their travels, the following
people paid shorter or longer visits to
Viminacium: Caracalla, Alexander Severus,
Gordian III etc.
A change of the legal status of
Viminacium took place during the reign of
Gordian III, when it was awarded the greatest
privilege and the highest rank a provincial city
could have been awarded: it became a colony
and its inhabitants became full Roman citizens.
24

9. Opeka sa Hristovim monogramom, IV vek
Brick with a Christogram 4 th century
dunavske granice i pomerawe te`i{ta
vlasti u ilirske provincije, anga`ovawe
mezijskih legija u ratovima na Istoku,
prisustvo dowomezijskih legija u
Viminacijumu), u~inile da Viminacijum
ponovo postane centar vojno-politi~kih
zbivawa Carstva. Tome su, svakako,
doprinele i pretendentske borbe za
presto, uz podr{ku legije VII Claudia, za
vreme Filipa I, Pakacijana, Trajana
Decija, Trebonijana Gala, Valerijana i
Galijena, koje su ~esto poprimale dramati~an
tok. Iako je rimska istoriografija
za ovaj period vrlo oskudna,
doga|aji sredinom i u drugoj polovini III
The consequences of this event are numerous
and were equally to be felt at the level of politics
and economics and of city planning. After
becoming a colony, the land holdings of
Viminacium probably expanded to include the
whole of Stig and Pincum with the mine. The
most significant privilege of a colony was to
mint its own coins.
Viminacium saw the period of its largest
political and economic crise in the 3 rd century,
when the great crisis was culminating throughout
the Empire. It is apparent that Viminacium was
reinstated as the centre of military and political
happenings in the Empire due to circumstances
brought about by historic events; (wars in these
25

veka pokazuju da je upravo Viminacijum,
kao sna`an i stabilan centar na dunavskom
limesu, bitno uticao na nastupaju}i period
balkanskih careva koji }e reformisati
politi~ki i duhovno oslabqeno Carstvo.
Jedna od posledwih bitaka iz perioda vojne
anarhije, dogodila se kod Viminacijuma
(civitas Viminacio, ubi Diocletianus occidit
Carinum), mada pojedini izvori kao mesto
sukoba navode Margum. Tu se 284. g.
Dioklecijan sukobio sa Karinom i nakon
pobede obezbedio sebi presto. Zna~ajan
arheolo{ki dokaz iz tog perioda predstavqa
monumentalna mermerna glava
na|ena u Dubravici koja, sude}i po predstavama
na novcu, predstavqa Karinovog
oca,(slika 8) Marka Aurelija Kara (282-
283. g.). 4 Osim arheolo{kih nalaza, zna~aj
Viminacijuma krajem III i u IV veku
potvr|uju ~este carske posete: 293 i 294. g.
u wemu je boravio Dioklecijan, Konstantin
Veliki 334. g., wegov naslednik
Konstancije 338 i 358. g., Julijan 359.g., a
Gracijan 382. g.
Nakon reorganizacije Carstva krajem
III i po~etkom IV, veka Viminacijum
postaje glavni grad provincije Moesiae
Primae. U wemu se nalazi jedno od episkopskih
sedi{ta. Najstariji podaci o
hri{}anstvu zabele`eni kod Hijeroklesa
pomiwu da je episkop iz mezijskog glavnog
grada Viminacijuma, Amantinus, u~estvovao
na saboru u Serdici 343. g. Drugi episkop
koji se pomiwe 356. g. je Cyriacus .
Neposredne dokaze o zna~aju koji
Viminacijum ima u IV veku pru`a Notitia
Dignitatum koja reprodukuje vojno stawe na
dunavskoj granici pre 376 g. Od ukupnih
gorwomezijskih snaga, skoro tre}ina se
nalazila u Viminacijumu. Iako su u tom
periodu, legije sa oko 1000 vojnika, samo
daleka reminiscencija nekada{wih koje su
parts, the extraordinary significance of the
Danube border and the shift of the centre of government
to the Illyric provinces, the engagement
of the Moesian legions in the wars in the East,
the presence of Lower Moesian legions in
Viminacium). A further contribution in this
direction was made by the struggle for the
throne, in which legion VII Claudia took part,
during the reigns of Philip I, Pacatian, Trajan
Decius, Trebonian Gallus, Valerian and
Gallienus, which often took a dramatic course.
Although Roman historiography for this period is
rather scarce, the events in the middle and late
3 rd century show that it was Viminacium, as a
strong and stable centre on the Danube limes that
had a crucial influence on the onset of the period
of Balkan emperors, who were to reform a
politically and spiritually weakened Empire. One
of the last battles in the period of military anarchy
took place near Viminacium (civitas
Viminacio, ubi Diocletianus occidit Carinum),
although certain sources mention Margum as the
place of the conflict. This is where Diocletian
clashed with Carinus and, following a victory,
secured himself a throne. An important archaeological
proof from that period is the monumental
marble head found in Dubravica, which, judging
by depictions on coins, represents Carinus’
father (figure 8), Marcus Aurelius Carus (year
282-283) 4 . Apart from archaeological finds, the
importance of Viminacium around the end of the
3 rd and in the 4 th century is confirmed by frequent
imperial visits: Diocletian stayed in it in
293 and 294, Constantine the Great in 334,
Constantius, his heir, in 338 and 358, Julian in
359 and Gratian in 382.
After the reorganization of the Empire
around the end of the 3 rd and the beginning of
the 4 century, Viminacium became the capital
city of the province of Moesiae Primae. It was
also the centre of a diocese. The earliest records
of Christianity in Hierocles state that Amantinus,
4 D. Srejovi}, A.Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, Rimska skulptura
u Srbiji, Beograd 1987, 40,41, br.12.
4 D. Srejovi}, A.Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, Rimska skulptura
u Srbiji, Beograd 1987, 40,41, br.12.
26

10. Bronzana aplikacija, IV vek
Brass ornament, 4 th century A.D.
brojale 5000-6000 qudi, ~iwenica je da je
Viminacijum u IV veku imao jak garnizon i
predstavqao va`no upori{te na dunavskoj
granici. Prema podacima koje donosi
Prisk, Viminacijum je, neposredno pre
hunske najezde, bio va`an trgova~ki centar.
O prosperitetu grada i bogatoj produkciji
wegovih radionica u tom periodu,
svedo~e i bogate kolekcije srebrnog
posu|a, nala`ene na teritoriji grada pod
razli~itim okolnostima. 5
Veliki upadi Gota i drugih varvarskih
plemena sa severoistoka u IV veku,
doprinose op{toj nesigurnosti u ovom
delu Podunavqa. Me|utim, tek }e hunski
naleti 441. g. ostaviti za sobom pusto{.
bishop of the Moesian capital of Viminacium,
took part in the Council of Cerdica in 343.
Another bishop. mentioned in the year of 356 is
Cyriacus .
Notitia Dignitatum, a document accounting
the military circumstances along the Danube border
before the year of 376, offers direct evidence
of the importance of Viminacium in the 4 th century.
Almost a third of total Upper Moesian
forces were stationed in Viminacium. Although
the legions of the period, numbering around 1000
people, were only a faint reminiscence of what
Roman legions had used to be (5000-6000 people),
it still remains a fact that Viminacium possessed
a strong garrison in the 4 th century and
was an important stronghold on the Danube bor-
5 I. Popovi}, Produkcija srebra u periodu ranog
Carstva: lokalni proizvodi i import, Anti~ko srebro
u Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi}, Beograd 1994, 51
(kat.287-281); J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko srebro, u:
Anti~ko srebro u Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi},
Beograd 1994, 63 (kat. 276, 338, 277-281).
5 I. Popovi}, Produkcija srebra u periodu ranog
Carstva: lokalni proizvodi i import, Anti~ko srebro
u Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi}, Beograd 1994, 51
(kat.287-281); J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko srebro, u:
Anti~ko srebro u Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi},
Beograd 1994, 63 (kat. 276, 338, 277-281).
27

11. Kerami~ki pehar, VI vek
Ceramic bowl, 6 th century A.D.
Kao i svi drugi gradovi i pograni~na
utvr|ewa u Srbiji, Viminacijum je
razoren, a stanovni{tvo delom porobqeno,
a delom raseqeno.
Nakon sloma hunske dr`ave,
Viminacijum je u{ao u oblast koju su
dr`ali Gepidi. Period druge polovine V
veka je period obnavqawa grada i `ivota u
wemu. Naseqavawe germanskih plemena
(Ostrogota i Gepida), krajem V i po~etkom
VI veka zna~ilo je ponovno aktivirawe
viminacijumskih radionica, koje svoju produkciju
prilago|avaju novonastalim
ekonomskim okolnostima, ukusu i potrebama
doseqenog stanovni{tva. 6
6 Lj. Zotovi}, Die Gepidische Nekropole bei Viminacium,
Starinar XLIII-XLIV, 1992/1993, Beograd 1994, 183-190.
der. According to data offered by Priscus,
Viminacium was a significant trading centre
immediately before the Hun invasion. Among
other things, the rich collections of silverware
found on the territory of the city under various
circumstances 5 witness to the city’s prosperity
and to the substantial production of its crafts
shops in the period.
The massive invasions of the Goths and
other barbaric tribes from the north-east during
the 4 th century contributed to general insecurity
along this part of the Danube. Still, it was only
after the attacks of the Huns that these parts
would be left ravaged. Like all other cities and
border fortifications in what is now Serbia,
Viminacium was destroyed and its population
was partly enslaved and partly displaced.
After the breakdown of the Hun state,
Viminacium became part of the territory controlled
by the Gepids. The second half of the 5 th
28

Do obnove utvr|ewa dolazi u vreme
Justinijana (527-565. g.), koji je ponovo
uspostavio provincijske granice. Pojedini
arheolo{ki nalazi naro~ito srebrno
posu|e sa izrazitim hri{}anskim obele`jima,
ukazuju na zna~aj Viminacijuma i u VI
veku, kada je on ponovo episkopija. 7
Sredinom VI veka granica Carstva je
ponovo uzdrmana upadima Slovena i
Kutrigura. Pohodima Avara na Panonsku
niziju zapo~iwe nova osvaja~ka etapa na
Balkanskom poluostrvu. Woj ne}e odoleti
ni Viminacijum 584. g., ali se Avari ne}e
du`e zadr`ati u wemu, jer se ve} 600. g.
pomiwe kao vizantijska vojna baza u ratu
protiv Avara. Avarska razarawa podunavskog
limesa krajem VI veka, otvori}e
put slovenskoj infiltraciji na severnom
Balkanu.
Viminacijum, vekovno upori{te na
granici Carstva, prestaje da postoji tokom
VII veka pod udarima Slovena. Wihovo
naseqavawe ozna~ava novu kulturnoistorijsku
fazu u razvoju ove oblasti.
Slovensko naseqe Kostolac dobilo
je naziv po rimskom castrum-u, castellum-u
(utvr|ewe) .
century was a period of reconstruction of the city
and life in it. The arrival of Germanic tribes
(Ostrogoths and Gepids) around the end of the
5 th and the beginning of the 6 th century meant
reactivation of Viminacium crafts shops, which
adjusted their production to the new economic
circumstances and to the tastes and
needs of the newly settled population. 6
The fortress was reconstructed during
Justinian’s reign (526-565) and the province was
reinstated in its former borders. Some archaeological
finds, particularly silverware with
markedly Christian traits, point to the importance
of Viminacium in the 6 th century, when it had
once again become the centre of a diocese. 7
Around the middle of the 6 th century the
borders of the empire were yet again disturbed
by the invasions of the Slavs and Kutrigurs. The
incursions of the Avars into the Pannonian plain
marked a new period of invasions in the Balkan
peninsula. Viminacium would not be able to
resist it in 584, but, on the other hand, the Avars
would not stay there for long, as it is mentioned
as a Byzantine military base in the war against
the Avars as soon as 600. The Avar devastation
of the Danube limes around the end of the 6 th
century was to pave the way for Slavic infiltration
in northern Balkans.
Viminacium, the centuries-old stronghold
on the border of the Empire, ceased to exist during
the 7 th century, under the attacks of the
Slavs. Their settlement marked a new cultural
and historical phase in the development of this
territory.
The Slavic settlement of Kostolac got its
name from the Latin words castrum or castellum,
a fortification.
7 J. Kondi}, Ranovizantijsko srebro, u : Anti~ko srebro
u Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi}, Beograd 1994. 66, kat.
(319-324).
6 Lj. Zotovi}, Die Gepidische Nekropole bei Viminacium,
Starinar XLIII-XLIV, 1992/1993, Beograd 1994, 183-190
7 J. Kondi}, Ranovizantijsko srebro, u : Anti~ko srebro
u Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi}, Beograd 1994. 66, kat.
(319-324).
29

12. Plan Viminacijuma, Marsigli, Danubius II, tab. 5 fig. XIII
Viminacium map, Marsigli, Danubius II, tab. 5 fig. XIII
Rezimiraju}i podatke koje nam
donose putopisci i drugi qubiteqi starina,
oboga}ene rezultatima arheolo{kih
iskopavawa izvr{enih od strane M.
Valtrovi}a 1882. g., 8 M. Vasi}a 1902-1903.
g. 9 i Q. Zotovi} i V. Kondi}a 1972-1975.
g., 10 dobijamo ne{to jasniju sliku kulturnog
razvitka u`e viminacijumske teritorije
(slika 12, 13 i 14).
Rani legijski logor, kastrum, podignut
je na desnoj obali Mlave, na
By summing up data found in works
of travel writers and other admirers of antiquity,
enriched with the results of archaeological excavations
conducted by M. Valtrovi} in 1882, 8 M.
Vasi} in 1902-1903, 9 and Lj. Zotovi} and V.
Kondi} from 1972 to 1975, 10 we can see a somewhat
clearer picture of the cultural development
of the immediate environs of Viminacium (figures
12, 13 and 14).
The early military camp, the castrum, was
built on the right bank of the Mlava, on the site
8 M. Valtrovi}, Iskopavawa u Kostolcu, Starinar I,
1884, 11, 14, 96.
9 M. Vasi}, Arch. Anzeiger der Arch. Jahrb. XX, 1905, 102.
10 Lj. Zotovi}, Viminacium, AP 15, Beograd 1973, 47-50, T. XXV,
1,2; T. XXVI, 1,2; V.Kondi}, Lj. Zotovi}, Viminacium-rezultati
arheolo{kih istra`ivanja u 1974. godini, AP 16, Beograd 1974,
94-97.
8 M. Valtrovi}, Iskopavawa u Kostolcu, Starinar I,
1884, 11, 14, 96.
9 M. Vasi}, Arch. Anzeiger der Arch. Jahrb. XX, 1905, 102.
10 Lj. Zotovi}, Viminacium, AP 15, Beograd 1973, 47-50, T. XXV,
1,2; T. XXVI, 1,2; V.Kondi}, Lj. Zotovi}, Viminacium-rezultati
arheolo{kih istra`ivanja u 1974. godini, AP 16, Beograd 1974,
94-97.
30

13. Plan iskopavawa u Viminacijumu,
Valtrovi}, Starinar I, 1884.
Viminacium excavation plan, Valtrovi}, Starinar I, 1884.
lokalitetu „ ^air“. Na osnovu konfiguracije
terena jasno se razaznaju vojni~ki
logor i naseqe sa wegove zapadne strane,
opasani odbrambenim bedemima i rovovima.
Autori daju razli~ite dimenzije kastruma
i naseqa, no ~ini nam se, da su mere
prof. Vasi}a najta~nije. Odre|ene prema
kardu i dekumanu iznose 442,70 h 385,60 m,
dok bi pribli`ne dimenzije logorskog
naseqa iznosile 850 h 600 m.
Logor je podignut po uobi~ajenom
sistemu gradwe velikih legijskih logora.
Na uglovima su kule, a unutra{wost je ispresecana
komunikacijama koje se seku pod
pravim uglom. Dve glavne ulice, via praetoria
koja se pru`ala u pravcu S-J, i via principalis
koja se pru`ala u pravcu I-Z, spajale
su ~etiri kapije.
Glavne kapije su ulazna, porta praetoria,
i izlazna, porta decumana, dok su se ostale
dve nalazile levo, porta pricipalis sinistra i
desno, porta principalis dextra. U sredi{tu
logora se nalazio komandni {tab (praetorium),
dok je zadwi deo, kod izlazne kapije,
slu`io za sme{taj pomo}nih jedinica i
zarobqenika. U centru logora se nalazilo
i svetili{te, (sacellum). Logori su imali i
bolnicu (valetudinarium), radionice (fabricae),
`itnicu (horrea), kao i {tale za
sme{taj kowa. Topografska istra`ivawa
of „Cair“. Judging by the configuration of the
ground, a military camp and a settlement on its
western side are clearly discernible. These are
surrounded by ramparts and ditches. Authors
offer varying dimensions of the castrum and the
settlement, but it appears that the measures supplied
by Professor Vasic are the most accurate.
Based on the measures of the cardo and the
decumanus, they would have been 442.70 m X
385.60 m, while the territory of the camp settlement
would have been approximately 850m X
600m.
The camp was constructed in accordance
with the usual system of building large legion
camps. Towers were situated at the corners and
the interior was crisscrossed by communications
intersecting at right angles. The two main streets,
Via Praetoria, laid in the direction N-S, and Via
Principalis, laid in the direction E-W, linked the
four gates.
The main gates were the entrance, Porta
Praetoria, and the exit, Porta Decumana, while
the remaining two gates were situated to the left
- Porta Principalis Sinistra - and to the right -
Porta Principalis Dextra. In the middle of the
camp lay the command headquarters (praetorium),
while the back part, near the exit gate,
served for accommodating auxiliary troops and
prisoners. The shrine (sacellum) was situated in
the centre of the camp. Apart from these, camps
31

14. Plan Viminacijuma, M. M. Vasi},
Archäologische Funde im Jahre 1904, Fig. 1
Viminacium map, M. M. Vasi}, Archäologische
Funde im Jahre 1904, Fig. 1
na sredini severnog bedema 1980. g. otkrila
su ostatke ulazne kapije (porta praetoria),
deo ulice (via praetoria) i vodovodnog
kanala, ispod 11 . Na osnovu raspolo`ivih
podataka utvr|eno je da logor ne pripada
jednoj epohi, ve} je vremenom do`ivqavao
prepravke i mewao svoj izgled.
Teritoriji logora pripadalo je i
vojni~ko naseqe (canabae legionis) koje se
nalazilo sa zapadne strane. Formirano je
od vojni~kih porodica, zanatlija, trgovaca,
a inspirisano je vojnom gradwom i na~inom
`ivota koji je podre|en vojnim interesima.
Izgled naseqa mo`emo delimi~no
rekonstruisati na osnovu urbanisti~kih
elemenata zajedni~kih za sve rimske
gradove i dosada{wih parcijalnih istra-
`ivawa. Dve glavne ulice su se sekle pod
had a hospital (valetudinarium), workshops (fabricae),
a granary (horrea), as well as stables for
horses. Topographic research near the middle of
the northern rampart in 1980 uncovered remnants
of the entrance gate (Porta Praetoria), a part of
the street (Via Praetoria) and a part of the aqueduct
beneath it. 11 Based on disposable data it was
ascertained that the camp did not belong to a single
epoch, but that it underwent modifications
over time and that it changed in appearance.
The military settlement (canabae legionis),
situated to the west, also belonged to the territory
of the camp. It was inhabited by soldiers’
families, craftsmen, merchants and was inspired
by military construction and by a way of life
which was in accordance with military interests.
The appearance of the settlement can partially be
reconstructed based on urbanistic elements com-
11 Topografska istra`ivawa izvr{io je M. Pindi}.
Rezultati nisu publikovani.
11 The topographic survey was conducted by M. Pindic. The results
were not published.
32

15.
15, 15a. Ostaci bedema vojnog logora i naseqa
Ruined walls of military camp and civilian settlement
15 a.
33

pravim uglom, a u centru
se nalazio pravougaoni
trg sa hramom po-sve-
}enim carskom kultu i
dr`avnom Panteonu, javne
gra|evine za obavqawe
upravnih, zakonodavno-sudskih
i trgova~kih
poslova. Prof. Vasi}
je otkrio jedan deo
ulice {iroke 5 m sa kolonadom
ili portikom. 12
Arheolo{kim istra`ivawima
1973. g. registrovan
je bedem civilnog
naseqa koje je tako|e
bilo utvr|eno. Deo otkrivenog
severnog bedema
ra|enog od pritesanog
kamewa vezanog malterom,
debqine 2,00 m,
mo`e se opredeliti u I
vek. Ovo naseqe je uni{-
teno u po`aru, a nakon
nivelacije terena u II
veku, do{lo je do podizawa
novog naseqa (mo`da
u doba Severa), u kome se
`ivot bez prekida odvijao i u vreme
Paleovizantije. 13 Naseqe je imalo svoju
kanalizacionu i vodovodnu mre`u, tako da
je stanovni{tvo imalo dobre higijenske
uslove. U prilog tome ide i otkri}e javnih
termi koje su bile luksuzno opremqene, sa
oslikanim zidovima i mermernom oplatom
bazena. 14 Rano izgra|eni vodovodni sistem
dovodio je vodu sa kapta`a koje su se
nalazile isto~no i jugoisto~no od Viminacijuma,
u selima Kurja~e, Majilovac i
Sirakovo. 15 Poqoprivredna imawa (villa
mon to all Roman towns
and on partial research conducted
until the present day.
The two main streets intersected
at a right angle and
in the centre there stood a
square with a temple consecrated
to the imperial cult
and to the state Pantheon
and public buildings for
conducting government, legislative
/ judicial and trade
activities. Professor Vasi}
discovered a part of a street,
5 metres wide, with a
colonnade or a portico. 12
The rampart of the civilian
settlement, which was also
fortified, was discovered in
the archaeological excavations
in 1973. A part of the
discovered northern rampart,
made of cut stone, fixed
with mortar, 2.00 m thick,
can be dated to the 1 st century.
This settlement was
16. Mermerni stub
Marble column
destroyed in a fire, and,
after a levelling of the terrain
in the 2 nd century, a new settlement was
erected (possibly during Severus’ reign), in
which life continued uninterruptedly even in the
times of older Byzantium. 13 The settlement had
its own sewerage and water supply systems, so
that the hygienic conditions amidst which the
population of Viminacium lived were satisfactory.
The discovery of a luxurious public bath,
with painted walls and a marble-coated swimming
pool, should also seem to speak in favour
of such a conclusion. 14 The early built water supply
system brought water into the city from the
collection tanks located to the east and south-east
12 M. Vasi}, op. cit., 102.
13 Lj. Zotovi}, Viminacium, AP 15, 47-50.
14 Ibid, 49, T. XXVI, 12.
15 D. Spasi}, D. Jacanovi}, Rimski vodovod na „ Tulbi“ u
Po`arevcu, Glasnik SAD 13, Beograd 1997, 162, karta 1.
12 M. Vasi}, op. cit., 102.
13 Lj. Zotovi}, Viminacium, AP 15, 47-50.
14 Ibid, 49, T. XXVI, 12.
34

17. Rimski nadgrobni spomenik uzidan
u manastir Nimnik (Kurja~e)
Roman headstone build in monastery Nimnik wall (Kurjace)
rustica), su se nalazila van gradskog jezgra, i
s obzirom na velike potencijale u obradivim
povr{inama, svakako su predstavqala
glavno proizvodno podru~je i izvor hrane.
Brojni arheolo{ki nalazi razli~itog
karaktera (ostaci arhitekture, epigrafski
spomenici, toponomasti~ka gra|a,
grobovi), ukazuju, da je {ira teritorija
Viminacijuma bila gusto naseqena i da se
izvan gradske teritorije, mora ra~unati sa
ve}im brojem ruralnih naseqa, ali i luksuznijih
rezidencija. Naseqe je, prema
prof. Vasi}u, zahvatalo oko 72 hektara i
spadalo je u najve}a naseqa na dowem
Dunavu. Zbog lak{e distribucije robe,
izvan grada (extra muros), a pored glavnih
saobra}ajnica, bili su locirani veliki
radioni~ki kompleksi.
U logorskom nasequ su `ivele
vojni~ke porodice, veterani, zanatlije i
trgova~ki sloj ~ija je primarna delatnost
bila snabdevawe vojske u logoru.
of Viminacium, in the present day villages of
Kurjace, Majilovac and Sirakovo. 15 Agricultural
properties, (villa rustica) were located outside the
city core and, bearing in mind the large surfaces
of arable land, certainly constituted a pivotal area
of production and a source of food. Numerous
archaeological finds, varying in character, (architectural
remnants, epigraphic monuments,
toponomastic features, graves) suggest that the
wider territory of Viminacium was densely populated
and that the existence of a number of rural
settlements as well as luxury dwellings is to be
reckoned with. According to Prof. Vasi}, the settlement
stretched across 72 hectares and was one
of the largest settlements on the lower Danube.
To ensure easier shipment of goods, large workshop
compounds were situated outside the city
walls (extra muros), and close to the main com-
15 D. Spasi}, D. Jacanovi}, Rimski vodovod na „ Tulbi“ u
Po`arevcu, Glasnik SAD 13, Beograd 1997, 162, karta 1.
35

18. Lokalitet „ Todi}a Crkva“, razglednica sa po~etka XX veka
„Todica crkva“ site, poastcard from the begining of a 20 th century
Osim vojni~kog naseqa, koje je kasnije
preraslo u gradsko, postojalo je i
civilno naseqe kome je 117. g. dodeqen status
municipijuma. Po~etkom III veka
vojni~ko naseqe sa vojnom upravom i
municipijum sa gradskim ure|ewem, paralelno
postoje. Za sada je jo{ uvek nere{en
problem gde se nalazilo civilno naseqe,
odnosno municipium Aelium iz II veka?
Odgovor na to pitawe mo`da le`i na levoj
obali Mlave, na dominantnom platou, na
samom izdanku Sopotske grede, sa u`im
toponimom „ Mali i Veliki Grad“ (lokalitet
„ Todi}a Crkva“). Na wemu se i danas
nalaze ostaci kru`ne kule od kamena i
deo zasvedenog hodnika od opeka i kamena
koji se sa platoa spu{ta u pravcu Dunava.
Kulturna evolucija na ovom lokalitetu je
imala ne{to druga~iji tok nego na desnoj
munications.
Soldiers’ families, veterans, craftsmen
and merchants, whose primary activity was catering
to the needs of the troops all lived in the
camp settlement.
Apart from the military settlement, which
later grew into a city, there was also a civilian
one, which was awarded the status of a municipality
in the year 117. At the beginning of the
3 rd century, the military settlement with a military
administration and the municipium, with
town organization existed alongside each other.
The problem of the location of the civilian settlement,
i.e. the municipality of Aelium from the
2 nd century still remains unsolved. The solution
to the problem may lie on the left bank of the
Mlava, on the dominant plateau at the very end
of the long narrow hill of Sopot, with the
toponym of “Mali Grad“ and “Veliki Grad“ (the
36

19. Bronzana lampa (?),
I-II vek
Bronze lamp (?),
1 st -2 nd century
obali Mlave. Iznad autohtonog naseqa iz
praistorijskog (eneolitskog, vatinskog,
latenskog) doba, nalaze se ostaci rimske
arhitekture, iznad koje je podignuto utvr|ewe
iz Justinijanovog vremena. Najmla|i
sloj je sredwovekovni. Dimenzije
utvr|ewa sa ugaonim kulama iznose 270 h
216 m, a ju`no se nalazi naseqe nepravilne
osnove. O~igledno su naseqe i utvr|ewe na
levoj i desnoj obali Mlave, jedno izvesno
vreme paralelno postojali, s tim {to se
`ivot na levoj obali nastavio i onda kada
je grad na ^airu bio napu{ten. 16 Jo{ uvek
nedovoqno istra`eni rimski arheolo{ki
ostaci ukazuju samo na jednu od mogu}ih
lokacija municipalnog naseqa.
Viminacijum je imao svoju flotu i
pristani{te (portus), koje je imalo zna~ajnu
site of “Todica Crkva“). This is where even
today the remnants of a circular stone tower and
a part of a covered walkway in brick and stone,
descending from the plateau down to the Danube
can still be found. The cultural evolution on this
site took a somewhat different course than on the
right bank of the Mlava. Above the autochthonous
settlement from the pre-historic
(Aeneolithic, Vatin, La Téne) period, are found
the remnants of Roman architecture, atop which
a fortification from Justini-an“s period was erected.
The most recent layer is Mediaeval. The fortification,
including the corner towers, occupies
an area of 270 m X 216 m, and to the south of
it lies a settlement with an irregular base. It is
obvious that the settlement and fortification on
the left and right bank of the Mlava existed
alongside each other for a period, but that life
16 V. Popovi}, Uvod u topografiju Viminacijuma,
Starinar XVIII, 1976, Beograd 1968, 30-49.
16 V. Popovi}, Uvod u topografiju Viminacijuma,
Starinar XVIII, 1976, Beograd 1968, 30-49.
37

20. Nadgrobni spomenik Kornelija Rufa, II-III vek
Headstone of Cornelius Rufus, 2 nd -3 rd century
21. Nadgrobni spomenik Kornelija Zosima, II vek
Headstone of Cornelius Zosimus, 2 nd century
38

ulogu u obezbe|ivawu granice, transportu
i snabdevawu vojske i stanovni{tva. S
obzirom na strate{ku i distribucionu
ulogu Viminacijuma jo{ od Trajanovih
da~kih ratova, ono se mo`e pretpostaviti
krajem I veka, ako ne i ranije. Izvorni
podaci koji se odnose na plovidbu i pristani{te
su oskudni. Natpis iz II veka na
`rtveniku posve}enom Mitri podigao je
nauclerus, tj. navicularius, lice koje se bavi
pomorskom trgovinom. Drugi natpis koji je
postavio S. Valerius Vibianus, qvinqvinal
Collegium nautarum, svedo~i o obnovi
Neptunovog hrama i postavqawu statue
Majke bogova, kao i postojawu udru`ewa
pomoraca (collegium nautarum). 17 Na prisustvo
lica iz pomorske slu`be, bilo civilne
ili vojne, posredno ukazuju i pojedini arheolo{ki
predmeti, kao {to je i bronzana
lampa (lucerna) u obliku broda (slika 19). 18
Dosada{wim arheolo{kim istra`ivawima
pristani{te nije registrovano,
ali odre|ene topografsko-arheolo{ke
indicije ukazuju na lokalitete „ Svetiwu“
i „ Galije“. Opeke s pe~atom RIPA VIM (inacensis)
potvr|uju da je neka od brojnih viminacijumskih
ciglarskih radionica specijalno
izra|ivala opeke za potrebe viminacijumske
obale. 19
Kao glavni grad provincije,
Viminacijum je bio sedi{te carskog namesnika,
tj. upravnika provincije koji je imao
vrhovnu vojnu i civilnu vlast, a na raspolagawu
mu je stajao dosta razgranat administrativni
aparat. O finansijskim
poslovima brigu je vodio upravnik (procurator).
U Viminacijumu se nalazio i legat
continued on the left bank even when the city on
“Cair“ had been abandoned. 16 The still not properly
examined Roman archaeological remnants
point to but one of the possible locations of the
municipal settlement.
Viminacium had its own fleet and port
(portus), which played a significant part in protecting
the border, transportation and supplying
the army and the local population. Considering
the strategic and distributive function Viminacium
had had ever since Trajan“s Dacian wars,
a port can be expected to have existed here
around the end of the 1 st century, if not earlier.
Original data regarding sailing and the port is
scarce. An inscription from the 2 nd century on a
sacrificial altar dedicated to Mithras was commissioned
by a nauclerus, i.e. navicularius - a
naval trader. A second inscription, placed by C.
Valerius Vibi-anus, qvinqvinal Collegium nautarum,
witnesses a reconstruction of the Temple
of Neptune and the laying of a statue of the
Mother of Gods, as well as the existence of a
naval association (collegium nautarum). 17 Certain
archaeological artefacts, such as a boat-shaped
bronze lamp (lucerna), (figure 19) 18 , indirectly
point to a presence of naval personnel, either
civilian or military.
So far, archaeological research has not
identified a port, but certain topographic and
archaeological indications point toward the sites
of “Svetinja“ and “Galije“. The finds of bricks
bearing the sign RIPA VIM (inacensis) suggest
that one of the numerous Viminacium brickmaking
workshops specialized in producing bricks
for the needs of the Viminacium riverbank. 19
As a provincial capital, Viminacium was
the seat of the imperial deputy, i.e. the governor
17 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 35, 60, 123., P. Petrovi},
Classis Flavia Moesica na Dunavu u Gorwoj Meziji,
Starinar XL-XLI, 1989/1990, Beograd 1991, 208., A.
Jovanovi}, Neptunov oltar iz Viminacijuma, VIMI-
NACIVM 12, ZRNM, Po`arevac 2001, 203-207, sl. 1,2.
18 D. Spasi}-\uri}, Zna~aj i uloga Dunava u snabdevawu
Viminacijuma, Mitolo{ki zbornik 5, Ra~a 2002. g., u
{tampi.
19 Ibid,
17 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 35, 60, 123., P. Petrovi},
Classis Flavia Moesica na Dunavu u Gorwoj Meziji,
Starinar XL-XLI, 1989/1990, Beograd 1991, 208., A.
Jovanovi}, Neptunov oltar iz Viminacijuma, VIMI-
NACIVM 12, ZRNM, Po`arevac 2001, 203-207, sl. 1,2.
18 D. Spasi}-\uri}, Zna~aj i uloga Dunava u snabdevawu
Viminacijuma, Mitolo{ki zbornik 5, Ra~a 2002. g.,
currently being published.
19 Ibid,
39

legije VII Claudia. Sa natpisa na mermernoj
bazi koja sadr`i spisak vojnika regrutovanih
169. a otpu{tenih 195. g., poznat nam
je legijski komandant, L. Laelius Maximus, a
epigrafski spomenici potvr|uju i lica
ni`eg vojnog ranga (oficire, zastavnike,
vojne tribune, komornike i dr.), kao i veliki
broj obi~nih vojnika i veterana. 20
Funkcioneri dr`avne i gradske uprave,
koji su tako|e potvr|eni na natpisima,
~inili su sloj gradske aristokratije. Iz
Italije i drugih oblasti su se naseqavali
islu`eni veterani koji su ubrzali proces
romanizacije. Proces romanizacije je
zapo~eo davawem gra|anskih prava, u
po~etku, samo malobrojnom sloju lokalne
aristokratije, sve do 212. g. kada je
Karakalinim ediktom, rimsko gra|ansko
pravo pro{ireno na sve slobodne
stanovnike provincija. Paralelno sa procesom
romanizacije tekao je proces urbanizacije
{to je pogodovalo br`em prihvatawu
svih tekovina anti~ke civilizacije,
kako materijalnih tako i duhovnih.
Velike dru{tveno-ekonomske, kulturne i
socijalne promene uslovi}e dinami~an
razvoj Viminacijuma, koji postaje najve}i i
najrazvijeniji grad u Gorwoj Meziji.
of the province, who held supreme military and
civilian authority, having a rather elaborate
administrative apparatus at his disposal. A financial
governor (procurator) was in charge of
financial affairs. The commander (legatus) of
legion VII Claudia was also stationed in
Viminacium. From an inscription on the marble
base, containing the list of soldiers recruited in
169 and discharged in 195, we learn of a legion
commander, L. Laelius Maximus, and epigraphic
monuments record the names of lower-ranked
members of military personnel (officers, ensigns,
military tribunes, warehouse clerks etc.), as well
as of a large number of regular soldiers and veterans.
20 Officials belonging to state and city
administrations, whose names were also recorded
in inscriptions, comprised the city“s aristocracy.
War veterans from Italy and other provinces settled
here, which speeded up the process of
Romanization. This process began by initially
restricting the right of citizenship to the local
aristocracy, small in numbers, until the year of
212 when Roman Civil Law started being
applied to all free inhabitants of the provinces,
through an edict by Caracalla. Parallel to the
process of Romanization went on the process of
urbanization, which ran in favour of a more rapid
acceptance of all standards of the Classical civilization,
both in material and spiritual domains.
socioeconomic and cultural changes of a wide
scope enabled
Viminacium to
dynamically
grow into the
largest and
most developed
town of
Upper Moesia.
20 M. Mirkovic, Rimski gradovi, 60, 117-126.
20 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 60, 117-126.
40

Privredni i ekonomski uslovi
Economic conditions

Nagli ekonomski uspon Viminacijuma
po~etkom II veka, predstavqa
rezultantu vi{e prirodnih i dru{tvenih
faktora. Od presudnog zna~aja je bio wegov
geostrate{ki polo`aj i geomorfolo{ka
situacija {ire okoline. Dru{tveni faktori,
kao {to su razvoj u prethodnom,
naro~ito latenskom, periodu, vitalnost
autohtonih populacija i intenzitet romanizacije,
tako|e su
nezaobilazni preduslovi
sveukupnog
razvoja. Pozitivan
zbir ovih
elemenata doprineo
je da Viminacijum
postane
centar ekonomskih
zbivawa tokom
nekoliko vekova
Carstva, kao
posrednik izme|u
razvijenih zemaqa
Juga i rano romanizovanih
provincija
Zapada. Veoma
dinami~na ekonomska komunikacija, uz
maksimalnu eksploataciju prirodnih
bogatstava, stvorila je uslove za aktivno
ukqu~ivawe ove oblasti u sve tokove
anti~ke civilizacije i povoqno uticala
na kulturni i duhovni `ivot viminacijumskog
stanovni{tva.
Paraleleno sa konsolidacijom
rimske vojne i politi~ke vlasti krajem I
veka, i intenzivnim naseqavawem trgovaca,
zanatlija i drugih kolonista te~e i
proces uspostavqawa robovlasni~kog sis-
The sudden economic growth of
Viminacium at the beginning of the 2 nd century
was the result of a number of natural and social
factors. Its strategic geographic position and the
geomorphologic structure of the wider surroundings
were of crucial importance. Social factors,
such as development during prior periods, especially
La Téne, the vitality of the autochthonous
population, paired with intensive Romanization,
were also crucial
conditions of allencompassing
development.
A
favo-urable combination
of the above
elements contributed
to
V i m i n a c i u m “ s
becoming an economic
centre over
a period of a few
centuries, as a
mediator between
22. Gvozdena motika I-VI vek
the developed lands
of the South
Iron hoe, 1 st -6 th century
and the early-Romanized
provinces of the West. Very dynamic
economic communication, with a maximum level
of exploitation of natural resources, enabled this
region’s active participation in all aspects of
Classical civilization and had a favourable influence
on the cultural and spiritual life of
Viminacium“s inhabitants.
Parallel to the consolidation of Roman
military and political authority around the end of
the 1 century and to intensive settlement of merchants,
craftsmen and other colonists, lasted the
establishment of a system of slavery and of new
43

tema i novih proizvodnih odnosa. Poqoprivreda,
zanatstvo i rudarstvo, kao
osnovne privredne delatnosti domoroda~kog
stanovni{tva, do`ivqavaju su{-
tinske strukturalne promene kako u
na~inu eksploatacije tako i organizacije.
Privredna mo} grada se oslawala na poqoprivredu,
sto~arstvo,
zanatstvo, trgovinu i
saobra}aj. Izuzetan polo`aj
Viminacijuma na
raskr{}u Carstva i puteva,
ogroman promet
putnika, dr`avnih slu-
`benika, trgovaca, zanatlija
i vojske, vi{e
nego povoqno se odra-
`avao na finansijske
tokove grada i privredna
kretawa. Osim tranzita,
lokalna proizvodwa
i stalno prisustvo
finansijskog kapitala
u vidu redovnih vojni~kih
prihoda predstavqali
su pokreta~ku
bazu ekonomskog razvoja. Usled nedostatka
pisanih izvora, razvoj pojedinih privrednih
grana u velikoj meri dokumentuje arheolo{ki
materijal.
Plodna sti{ka ravnica pogodovala
je razvoju svih poqoprivrednih grana,
naro~ito gajewu `ita.
Osvojena teritorija je bila podeqena
na dr`avno (ager publicus), privatno (ager
privatus) i carsko zemqi{te. Najve}i deo
dr`avnog zemqi{ta su dobijali Italici,
bilo predstavnici aristokratskog zemqoposedni~kog
sloja, bilo koloni prilikom
osnivawa kolonija ili veterani. Zemqi{te
koje je dodeqivano veteranima je
pripadalo teritoriji logora, tj. bilo je
vojni~ko vlasni{tvo. Mnogobrojni arheolo{ki
ostaci {irom Stiga ukazuju na postojawe
imawa sitnijih seqaka. Carska
production relationships. Agriculture, crafts and
mining, being the basic economic activities of
the native population, underwent crucial structural
change, both in the ways of exploitation and
in organization. The city’s economic power
relied on agriculture, cattle breeding, crafts, trade
and transport. The exceptional location of
23. Gvozdene alatke I-VI vek
Iron tools, 1 st -6 th century
Viminacium, at an important junction in the
Empire, the enormous circulation of travellers,
state officials, merchants, craftsmen and troops
had more than a positive impact on the financial
and economic circumstances in the city. Apart
from transit, local production and a constant
presence of financial capital, in the form of a stable
income from the military, acted as a dynamic
base of economic development. Due to a lack
of written sources, the development of individual
economic branches is largely documented by
archaeological material.
The fertile plains of Stig allowed all
branches of agriculture to thrive, especially
wheat-growing.
Captured territory was divided into stateowned
land (ager publicus), privately-owned
land (ager privatus) and imperial land. The
largest portion of the land was awarded to peo-
44

imawa se mogu pretpostaviti
na osnovu natpisa carskog
prokuratora i carskih
dispenzatora iz Viminacijuma
i Raciarije. 21
Stabilna vojnopoliti~ka
situacija u ovom delu
Podunavqa u periodu od II-
IV veka, svakako je pogodovala
razvoju svih poqoprivrednih
grana {to potvr|uju
nalazi poqoprivrednog
alata (raonika,
motika, a{ova, kosa, `rvweva),
kao i posvete agrarnim
bo`anstvima: Cereri,
Majci Zemqi, Persefoni,
Liberu i Liberi. 22 O gajewu
i izvozu `ita iz ovih
oblasti u Rim, za sada postoje
samo indirektni podaci.
Na postojawe javne
`itnice (horrea publica),
polovinom III veka ukazuje
natpis na po~asnom stubu
podignut od strane upravnika
`itnice, a u ~ast prolaska
imperatora Gala i
Voluzijana, 251. g. 23 Brojni
nalazi kosira potvr|uju da
su blage padine Sopotske
grede predstavqale pogodno
tle za gajewe vinove
loze.
Sto~arstvo je tako|e, predstavqalo
tradicionalnu privrednu granu, a lov i
ribolov dopunsku delatnost. Potrebe za
sto~arskim proizvodima su bile velike,
kako za ishranu vojske i civilnog
stanovni{tva, tako i kao sirovinska baza
24. Mermerni stub
Marble column
ple from Italy, be they members
of land-holding aristocracy,
colonists settled during
founding the colony or veterans.
The land granted to veterans
was part of camp territory,
i.e. it was military property.
Numerous archaeological finds
throughout Stig point to the
existence of property belonging
to small farmers. That imperial
property also existed can be
seen from the inscriptions by
the Imperial Procurator and
Imperial Dispensators of Viminacium
and Ratiaria. 21
The stable military
and political situation in this
part of the flow of the Danube
in the period between the end
of the 2 nd to 4 th century, certainly
boosted the development
of all branches of agriculture,
which is confirmed by the
finds of agricultural tools
(plough-shares, hoes, spades,
scythes, millstones), as well as
by the dedications to agricultural
deities: Ceres, Mother
Earth, Persephone, Liber and
Libera. 22 So far, there are only
indirect testimonies of wheat
growing and exportation to
Rome. The existence of a public granary (horrea
publica) in the mid-3 rd century is documented
through an inscription on a honorary column
erected by a granary administrator on the occasion
of the emperors Gallus’ and Volusian’s
passing through the area in the year of 251. 23
Numerous pruning knife finds confirm that the
21 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 138.
22 Ibid, 137; Lj. Zotovi}, Der Paganismus in Viminacium,
Starinar XLVII, Beograd 1996, 130-132.
23 M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum 79,80, N0 40.
21 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 138
22 Ibid, 137; Lj. Zotovi}, Der Paganismus in Viminacium,
Starinar XLVII, Beograd 1996, 130-132
23 M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum 79,80, N0 40.
45

25. Mermerna baza
Marble basis
za odre|ene zanate (ko`arski, tka~ki i
tekstilni). Od kosti se izra|ivao niz
proizvoda za svakodnevnu upotrebu, ali i
za tada{wu tehnologiju (tutkalo, lepkovi
i sl). Poqoprivreda i transport su direktno
zavisili od sto~arstva. Tokom arheolo{kih
istra`ivawa `rtvenih povr{ina
ju`nih nekropola registrovane su velike
koli~ine `ivotiwskog osteolo{kog
materijala koje ukazuju da su najvi{e
gajeni: gove~e, kow, sviwa, ovca i koza, a
lovqeni, divqa sviwa i jelen. Prilikom
da}i pomenute `ivotiwe su `rtvovane, a
nakon obeda, deo je namewivan pokojnicima.
24
24 Q. Zotovi}, ^. Jordovi}, VIMINACIVM 1, Nekropola
Vi{e Grobaqa, Beograd 1990, 5-34.
mild slopes of Sopot hill were a favourable location
for vine-growing.
Cattle breeding was also a traditional
branch of the economy, while hunting and fishing
were side activities. Cattle breeding products
were in high demand, providing food for the military
and civilians, and acted as a source of raw
material for certain crafts (tanning, weaving, textile
making). A wide array of products was made
from bone, both for daily usage and for application
in technology (solvents, glues etc.).
Agriculture and transport directly depended on
cattle breeding. Archaeological examination of
sacrificial areas in the southern necropolises
yielded finds of a large amount of animal bone
material, which suggests that among the most
commonly bred animals were: cows, horses, pigs,
sheep and goats, while the most commonly hunt-
46

26. Mermerna piscina
Marble piscina
Graditeqski zamah zapo~et u I veku
izgradwom puteva i logora, intenzivira se
sa Hadrijanom (117-138. g.), helenofilom i
mecenom umetnosti. Prosperitet i urbanizacija
na izgradwi javnih zdawa, palata,
kupatila, hramova, zanatskih kvartova,
vodovoda i saobra}ajnica se nastavqaju i u
vreme Marka Aurelija, Septimija Severa i
Galijena. Glavni grad provincije Gorwe
Mezije naro~ito podi`e svoj standard za
vreme dinastije Severa (193 - 217. g.), kada
dolazi i do obnove logorskog naseqa. 25
Za vreme Gordijana III (238-244. g.),
kada postaje kolonija i jo{ vi{e dobija na
zna~aju svojom kovnicom novca, mo`e se
pretpostaviti nov graditeqski zamah na
izgradwi rezidencija za brojne vojni~ke
careve. Arhitektonski ostaci izorani u
ed were wild boar and deer. The above animals
were sacrificed at funeral feasts and a portion of
the meat of the sacrificed animal was offered to
the dead after the meal. 24
The upswing in building that had commenced
in the 1 st century was intensified during
the reign of Hadrian (from the year 117- to the
year 138), a Hellenophile and patron of the arts.
Prosperity, urbanization and construction of public
buildings, palaces, baths, temples, crafts quarters,
aqueducts and roads was continued under
Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus and
Gallienus. The provincial capital of Moesia
Superior saw a particular rise in standard of living
during the period of the Severus dynasty,
(193-217), when the camp settlement was
rebuilt. 25
25 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 64 - 65.
24 Q. Zotovi}, ^. Jordovi}, VIMINACIVM 1, Nekropola
Vi{e Grobaqa, Beograd 1990, 5-34.
25 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 64 - 65.
47

27. Opeka sa pe~atom
Stamped brick
28. No`evi i makaze, I-IV vek
Knives and scissors, 1 st -4 th century
48

29. Bronzana lampa, II-III vek
Bronze lamp, 2 nd -3 rd century
wivama Stiga, nesumwiv su dokaz
izrastawa Viminacijuma u gradski centar
sa italskim obele`jima. Mermerni
stubovi, rasko{no obra|eni kapiteli,
ostaci vodovodnih, kanalizacionih i grejnih
sistema, mermerne piscine, oplate
zidova i podova, odaju svu veli~inu i
rasko{ javnih i privatnih zdawa.
Formirani sloj gradske aristokratije i
kolonista, nije se odrekao svojih potreba
za luksuzom, a arheolo{ki ostaci ukazuju
na postojawe palata sa atrijumima,
fontanama, statuama i porticima (sl. 24,
25, 26).
Gra|evinska delatnost, vojnog,
civilnog i sakralnog karaktera, iziskivala
je velike koli~ine gra|evinskog
During the reign of Gordian III (238-
244), when Viminacium became a colony and its
importance was additionally increased by the
opening of the mint, we can suppose a new construction
upswing at building residences for the
numerous military emperors. The architectural
remains revealed by ploughing in the fields of
Stig are a definitive proof of Viminacium’s
becoming an urban centre with Italic traits.
Marble columns, ornately crafted capitals, the
remnants of water supply, sewerage and heating
systems, marble pools, wall and floor coating
reveal the grandeur and luxury of public and private
buildings. The newly-formed class of town
aristocracy and colonists did not give up their
demand of luxury and archaeological finds point
to the existence of palaces with atriums, foun-
49

30. Zlatni nakit, I-IV vek
Golden jewelry, 1 st -4 th century
materijala. Obilato je kori{}en beli
mermer importovan iz mediteranskog dela
Male Azije i Sredozemqa. Specijalnim
brodovima (lapidaria navis), on je u blokovima
ili kao polufabrikat transportovan do
Viminacijuma. 26 U izvori{nom delu Mlave
va|eni su beli i crveni mermer, gabro i
serpentin, a u Ramu i Ku~evu lokalni
kamen, zelenac. Iz ovih kamenoloma, kamen
je re~nim putem dopreman do viminacijumskih
radionica.
Razvoj arhitekture, monumentalne
plastike i dekorativne umetnosti,
privu}i }e u Viminacijum iskusne zanatlije
i umetnike iz velikih radioni~kih centara
Carstva, pre svega sa Istoka, i u
velikoj meri uticati na formirawe i rad
lokalnih kamenoreza~ko-skulptorskih
tains, statues and porticoes (figures 24, 25, 26).
Construction activity of military, civilian
and sacral character demanded large quantities of
building material. White marble, imported from
the Mediterranean part of Asia Minor and from
the Mediterranean, was abundantly used. It was
transported to Viminacium by special ships (lapidaria
navis) either in blocks or as semifinished
products. 26 White and red marble, gabro and serpentine
were quarried around the source of the
Mlava, whereas a local stone, “green stone“ was
quarried in Ram and Ku~evo. From these quarries,
stone was transported to Viminacium workshops
by river.
The development in architecture, monumental
plastic art and decorative art was to
attract to Viminacium experienced craftsmen and
artists from the great craft centres of the Empire,
26 M. Tomovi}, Prokoneski sarkofag sa girlandama iz
Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM 6, ZRNM, Po`arevac
1991, 69, 70, 74 -78.
26 M. Tomovi}, Prokoneski sarkofag sa girlandama iz
Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM 6, ZRNM, Po`arevac
1991, 69, 70, 74 -78.
50

31. Liva~ke ka{ike, I-VI vek
Casting spoons, 1 st -6 th century
radionica. Indirektne podatke o radovima
u kamenolomima i o pojedinim gra|evinskim
delatnostima pru`aju razli~ite
vrste gvozdenih alatki: krampovi, pijuci,
~eki}i, keseri, dleta, sekire, mistrije itd.
Specijalni instrumenti kao {to su
{estari, razmernici, bronzani i olovni
visci, predstavqaju neophodne rekvizite
{kolovanih geometara, arhitekti i skulptora.
27 Veoma rano, najkasnije u drugoj
polovini I veka, dolazi do osnivawa vojnih
ciglarskih radionica legije VII Claudia.
Opeke sa `igom ove legije nala`ene su na
teritoriji ~itave Mezije i {ire, {to
svedo~i o izuzetno bogatoj produkciji
wenih radionica. Zbog svojih tehnolo{kih
above all from the East, and was largely to influence
the formation and functioning of the local
stonecutting/sculpting workshops. Various iron
tools (pickaxes, hammers, adzes, chisels, axes,
trowels, etc.) offer indirect information about the
quarrying activity and about different types of
construction works. Special instruments like
compasses, gauges, bronze and lead plumb lines
are examples of tools needed in the work of educated
surveyors, architects and sculptors. 27
Very early on, during the second half of
the 1 st century at the latest, military brickmaking
workshops of legion VII Claudia were founded.
Bricks bearing the mark of this legion have been
uncovered across the territory of Moesia and
beyond its borders, which is a testimony of the
exceptionally large production of its workshops.
27 M. Jeremi}, Rimski razmernik (mensura) iz Viminacijuma,
VIMINACIVM 12, ZRNM, Po`arevac 2001, 179-
184, sl. 1-4.
27 M. Jeremi}, Rimski razmernik (mensura) iz Viminacijuma,
VIMINACIVM 12, ZRNM, Po`arevac 2001, 179-
184, sl. 1-4.
51

kvaliteta i postojanosti
ove opeke su kori{}ene
u gra|evinarstvu
sve do XX veka.
Sastavni ili prate}i
vid gra|evinske
delatnosti predstavqaju
zanati na obradi drveta.
O wihovoj zastupqenosti
osnovne podatke
pru`a arheolo{ki
materijal. O
delatnosti stolara, tesara
i usko specijalizovanih
zanatlija i umetnika,
svedo~e nalazi
sekira, krampova, no-
`eva, dleta, svrdla,
struga~a, kesera i rendi.
Drvo je imalo {iroku
primenu, ne samo u gra|evinarstvu, ve} i za
izradu name{taja, utilitarnih predmeta i
drvenih kov~ega za sahrawivawe. Najboqi
dokaz za to su ostaci drvenih kov~ega u
grobovima, oplata u grobnim bunarima i
drvenih kov~e`i}a (arca, arcula), koji su
slu`ili za sme{taj toaletnog pribora.
Od presudnog zna~aja za ekonomski
uspon Viminacijuma je bila blizina
ridawsko-krepoqinske i neresni~kobeqani~ke
metalogenetske zone sa bogatim
le`i{tima zlata, srebra, bakra, olova i
gvo`|a. Tradicionalno razvijena metalurgija
u dolinama Mlave i Peka, sa
dolaskom Rimqana dobija novi zamah. S
obzirom na to da je ~itava ekonomska substruktura
mo}nog Carstva po~ivala upravo
na eksploataciji ruda, rudnici u
dolinama ovih reka (metalla Pincensia), su
bili od strate{kog zna~aja za dr`avnu blagajnu.
Ono {to je Afrika zna~ila za `ito,
to je Mezija bila za rudarstvo. Tokom prve
polovine II veka ovi rudnici su vezivali
veliki broj radnika i slu`benika za koje
je, za vreme Hadrijana, kovana posebna mon-
32. Zlatarski nakovaw
Goldsmit’s anvil
These bricks continued to be used in construction
until the 20 th century due to their technological
quality and durability.
Wood crafts are an integral part of construction
works or their accompanying activity.
The basic data about their presence is obtainable
through archaeological material. Finds of axes,
pickaxes, knives, chisels, drills, adzes, and planes
testify to a presence of carpenters, masons, and
of highly specialized artists and craftsmen. Wood
was used widely: not only in building, but also
in furniture-making and in the production of
objects for daily use and burial caskets. The best
evidence of this are the remnants of wooden
coffins in graves, the coating of burial wells and
wooden chests (arca, arcula) which served for
storing toiletries.
The proximity of the areas of Ridanj-
Krepoljin and Neresnica-Beljanica with rich
deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead and iron ore
played a crucial role in Viminacium’s economic
rise. With the arrival of the Romans, the traditionally
well-developed Pek and Mlava valleys
metallurgy gained new momentum. As the entire
economic substructure of the powerful Empire
52

33. Olovni sarkofag
Lead sarcophagus, 2 nd -4 th century
eta sa natpisom AELIANA PINCENSIA. 28 O
veoma intenzivoj rudarskoj delatnosti
svedo~e brojna rudarska okna kao i pojedina~ni
i grupni nalazi (ostave), alatki na
terenu. 29
Blizina rudni~ke zone se vi{estruko
odrazila na razvoj Viminacijuma.
Stalni izvor prera|ene rude ~inio je okosnicu
krupne i monetarne privrede, {to je
direktno uticalo na otvarawe lokalne
kovnice novca, 239. g. Osnivawe posebnog
rudni~kog distrikta i kovawe posebnog
rudni~kog novca indirektno je uticalo na
metaloprera|iva~ke i metalur{ke radionice
Viminacijuma. Velika koncentracija
iskusnih zanatlija, livaca, kova~a i
kujunxija, doprinela je {irewu mre`e
mawih liva~kih i kova~kih officina, od
kojih je svaka bila usko specijalizovana za
izradu odre|ene vrste predmeta: oru`ja i
vojne opreme, dekorativnih i umetni~kih
was based exactly on the exploitation of ore, the
mines in the said river valleys (metalla
Pincensia) had a strategic importance for the
state treasury. What Africa was to wheat-growing,
Moesia was to mining. During the first half
of the 2 nd century, these mines employed a large
number of workers and clerks, for whom a special
coin was minted bearing the inscription
AELIANA PINCENSIA. 28 Intensive mining activity
is visible in the numerous mines and in individual
and group finds of tools (tool storage
facilities) in the field. 29
The proximity of the mining zone reflected
in many ways on the development of
Viminacium. The existence of a permanent
source of processed ore was the crucial precondition
for a large-scale and monetary economy,
which directly brought about the opening of the
local mint in the year of 239. The founding of a
separate mining district and the minting of separate
miners’ money indirectly influenced the
28 S. Du{ani}, Rimsko rudarstvo u rudni~kim distriktima
rimskog Ilirika, u: Radionice i kovnice srebra,
Beograd 1995, 135-141.
29 I. Popovi}, Anti~ko oru|e od gvo`|a u Srbiji,
Beograd 1988, 213-229, 247, 249, 251.
28 S. Du{ani}, Rimsko rudarstvo u rudni~kim distriktima
rimskog Ilirika, u: Radionice i kovnice srebra,
Beograd 1995, 135-141.
29 I. Popovi}, Anti~ko oru|e od gvo`|a u Srbiji,
Beograd 1988, 213-229, 247, 249, 251.
53

predmeta, oru|a, nakita, utilitarija i dr.
Polo`aj Viminacijuma na Dunavu,
pogodovao je transportu metala i polufabrikata
du` dolina Mlave i Peka. Jedan deo
metala je ostajao u lokalnim centrima i
radionicama, a drugi je u slitcima-polugama,
transportovan u Rim. Transport se
odvijao putevima du` ovih reka do Dunava,
potom wime do Crnog mora i sredozemnim
putem do Rima. 30
Gubitak transilvanijskih rudnika
zlata i srebra u III veku, jo{ vi{e je
istakao zna~aj metalla Pincensia, ~ija se
eksploatacija i produkcija intenziviraju
otvarawem novih rudnika. U dramati~nim
i nesigurnim vremenima III veka, kada ovaj
deo limesa organizaciono i ekonomski ja~a
radi o~uvawa Pax Romana, otvarawe
kovnice novca u Viminacijumu, predstavqa
primarni dr`avni interes. U takvom
vojno-politi~kom i ekonomskom kontekstu
je sasvim logi~na pretpostavka o postojawu
sna`nog toreutskog centra za proizvodwu
luksuznog srebrnog posu|a i drugih predmeta
od plemenitih metala. 31 Taj primat }e
Viminacijum zadr`ati i tokom kasne
antike. Istra`eni metalur{ki kompleks
iz IV veka, na u{}u Brodice u Pek, Kraku
lu Jordan (Ku~evo), nesumwiv je dokaz duge
eksploatacije zlata, srebra i drugih metala
u ovoj oblasti . 32
Arheolo{ke dokaze o liva~kim i
kova~kim zanatima u Viminacijumu predstavqaju
brojne alatke: kova~ki ~eki}i i
kle{ta, dleta i liva~ke ka{ike, koje su
slu`ile za ulivawe te~nog metala u odgovaraju}i
kalup (sl. 31). Naro~ito zna~ajan
podatak u tom smislu predstavqa zlatarski
nakovaw, slu~ajno na|en na prostoru
civilnog naseqa na „ Velikom ^airu“ (sl.
metal-processing and metallurgical workshops of
Viminacium. The high concentration of experienced
craftsmen, smelters, blacksmiths and goldsmiths,
contributed to the spreading of a network
of small foundries and smithies, each of which
was highly specialized for producing one type of
product: arms and weapons, decorative and artistic
products, tools, jewellery, objects for everyday
use etc .
Viminacium’s position on the Danube
was favourable for the transportation of metals
and semifinished products along the valleys of
the Mlava and the Pek. A portion of the metal
remained in the local centres and workshops and
the rest was shipped to Rome in the form of
ingots. Shipment was by road along these rivers
till the Danube and then by the Danube until the
Black Sea, and through the Mediterranean to
Rome. 30 The loss of Transylvanian gold and silver
mines in the 3 rd century added to the importance
of metalla Pincensia, whose exploitation and
production were intensified when new mines
opened. In the dramatic and precarious times of
the 3 rd century, when this part of the limes was
strengthened organizationally and economically
so as to preserve the Pax Romana, the opening
of the mint in Viminacium was of primary interest
to the state. The hypothesis about the existence
of a strong centre for producing luxury silverware
and other precious metal products 31
appears quite logical in such a military, political
and economic context. Viminacium would keep
this primacy during the late Classical period too.
The examined metallurgical complex from the 4 th
century, at the confluence of the Brodica and the
Pek, Kraku lu Jordan (Kucevo), is a definite
proof of long exploitation of gold, silver and
other metals in this region. 32
Numerous tools: blacksmith’s mallets and
30 M. Tomovi}, Rimsko rudarstvo i metalurgija srebra u
Gorwoj Meziji; u Radionice i kovnice srebra, Beograd
1995, 117-126.
31 J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko srebro, 53.
32 Ibid, 57; J. Kondi}, Ranovizantijsko srebro, 65-67.
30 M. Tomovi}, Rimsko rudarstvo i metalurgija srebra u
Gorwoj Meziji; u Radionice i kovnice srebra, Beograd
1995, 117-126.
31 J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko srebro, 53.
32 Ibid, 57; J. Kondi}, Ranovizantijsko srebro, 65-67.
54

34. Portret pokojnice, grobnica sa freskama (G-2624), IV vek
Portrait of a deceasted, fresco tomb, (G-2624), 4 th century
55

32). 33 Na prisustvo zanatlije, majstora za
izradu predmeta od srebra, ukazuje natpis
na jednom spomeniku iz Smedereva na kome
se pomiwe Refidije Eutih, faber argentarius
iz Viminacijuma. 34 O upotrebi olova za
izradu predmeta utilitarne, kultne i
funerarne svrhe i na prisustvo majstora,
plumbarius-a, svedo~e brojni nalazi olovnih
ogledala, ikona, kalup za izradu olovnih
ikona, sarkofaga, kao i amorfni komadi
olova na terenu. 35
Povoqni prirodni i dru{tveni
faktori uslovili su razvoj i drugih zanata
i delatnosti. Obrada kosti, tekstila i
ko`e direktna su posledica razvijenog
sto~arstva. Tehnolo{ki postupci prilikom
obrade tekstila i ko`e kao i izgled
odevnih predmeta i obu}e, delimi~no se
mogu rekonstruisati na osnovu arheolo{kih
ostataka. U olovnom sarkofagu, u
kome je bila sahrawena odrasla `enska
osoba, prona|eni su ostaci haqine od
qubi~astog brokata protkanog zlatnim
nitima, lanene ko{uqe, ~arapa pletenih
od belog pamu~nog konca i obu}e od mrke
ko`e sa |onovima od slagane plute, od
kojih su neki bili ukra{eni tankim zlatnim
listovima. 36 Izvanredan i vrlo redak
primerak zlatom izvezene tkanine sa predstavom
Viktorije, iz doba Septimija
Severa, na|en je krajem pro{log veka u jednom
sarkofagu u Viminacijumu, a sada se
~uva u Ma|arskom Narodnom muzeju. 37 Osim
33 D. Spasi}, Rimske nau{nice iz Narodnog muzeja u
Po`arevcu, VIMINACIVM 8-9, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1994,
81-83, crte` 1.
34 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 140.
35 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka olovna ogledala iz Narodnog muzeja
u Po`arevcu, VIMINACIVM 10, ZRNM, Po`arevac
1995/1996, 29-68; S. Golubovi}, Prilog prou~avawa
olovnih sarkofaga u Gorwoj Meziji, VIMINACIVM 12,
ZRNM, Po`arevac 2001, 135-158.
36 Q. Zotovi}, Rano hri{}anstvo u Viminacijumu kroz
izvore i arheolo{ke spomenike, VIMINACIVM 8-9,
ZRNM, Po`arevac 1994, 60, 61; S. Golubovi}, Obu}a iz
trikonhalne grobnice iz Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM
11, ZRNM, Po`arevac 2000, 83-100.
37 S. Golubovi}, Obu}a iz trikonhalne grobnice, 92,
napomena 46.
tongs, chisels and metal casting scoops, serving
for pouring molten metal into moulds (figure 31),
constitute archaeological evidence of the
smelter’s trade and smithy in Viminacium. A
goldsmith’s anvil, a random discovery from the
area of the civilian settlement in “Veliki Cair“
(figure 32) 33 is an especially important piece of
evidence in this respect. The presence of a master
craftsman who produced silver objects is documented
by an inscription in a Smederevo monument
mentioning Refidius Eutichus, faber
argentarius of Viminacium. 34 The use of lead in
the production of objects for daily, cult and
funerary use and the presence of a master
plumbarius is confirmed by the numerous finds
of lead mirrors, icons, a mould for producing
lead icons, a sarcophagus and of amorphous
lumps of lead in the field. 35
Favourable natural and social factors
boosted the development of other crafts and
activities too. The crafting of bone, textile and
leather are all direct consequences of developed
cattle-breeding. Based on archaeological finds,
technological procedures in textile and leather
crafting, as well as the appearance of clothes and
shoes, can be partially reconstructed. Remnants
of a dress made of purple brocade interwoven
with gold threads, a linen shirt, socks knitted
from white cotton thread and shoes of brown
skin with soles of layered cork, some of which
were decorated with thin gold sheets 36 were
found in a lead sarcophagus in which a grown
up female was buried. Around the end of the last
century an exceptional and very rare specimen of
33 D. Spasi}, Rimske nau{nice iz Narodnog muzeja u
Po`arevcu, VIMINACIVM 8-9, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1994,
81-83, crte` 1.
34 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 140.
35 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka olovna ogledala iz Narodnog muzeja
u Po`arevcu, VIMINACIVM 10, ZRNM, Po`arevac
1995/1996, 29-68; S. Golubovi}, Prilog prou~avawa
olovnih sarkofaga u Gorwoj Meziji, VIMINACIVM 12,
ZRNM, Po`arevac 2001, 135-158.
36 Q. Zotovi}, Rano hri{}anstvo u Viminacijumu kroz
izvore i arheolo{ke spomenike, VIMINACIVM 8-9,
ZRNM, Po`arevac 1994, 60, 61; S. Golubovi}, Obu}a iz
trikonhalne grobnice iz Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM
11, ZRNM, Po`arevac 2000, 83-100.
56

35. Sluga prinosilac, grobnica sa freskama (G-2624), IV vek
The servant-sacrifice bearer, fresco tomb, (G-2624), 4 th century
57

36. Nadgrobni spomenik „ Stela bankara“ III vek,
Narodni muzej Beograd
Headstone, „Banker’s stele“, 3 rd century, National Museum Belgrade
ovih nalaza, zna~ajne podatke o ode}i
imu}nijih stanovnika Viminacijuma pru`a
slikarstvo grobnica, gde se izdvajaju
portret pokojnice i sluga-prinosilac u
paganskoj grobnici (sl. 34,35). Pokojnica
je mlada `ena obu~ena u skupocenu, brokatnu,
dugu haqinu, protkanu zlatnim nitima i
ukra{enu klavusima. Haqina je u ramenom
delu ukra{ena elipsoidnim i kvadratnim
dragim kamewem. Sluga prinosilac je
obu~en u belu tuniku op{ivenu porubom
koja ima oblik ko{uqe bez rukava, a oko
tela je pripasana kai{em. Preko ramena je
a gold-embroidered fabric bearing the motif of
Victoria, from the age of Septimius Severus, was
discovered in a Viminacium sarcophagus and is
now being kept at the National Museum of
Hungary. 37 Apart from these finds, important
data about the clothing of the more affluent
inhabitants of Viminacium is obtained through
sepulchre painting where the portrait of a
deceased woman and her servant in a pagan
37 S. Golubovi}, Obu}a iz trikonhalne grobnice, 92,
napomena 46.
58

preba~en palijum - neka vrsta kabanice.
Obi~no je izra|ivan od vune. Na nogama
ima ko`nu obu}u, nalik poluzatvorenim
cipelama koje se vezuju jednim kai{em (calceus).
38 Na prisustvo zanatlije koji izra-
|uje ode}u ukazuje spomenik iz Smedereva,
na kome se pomiwe P. Ael (ius) Valerianus, vestiarius
iz Viminacijuma. 39
Novi proizvodni odnosi i uvo|ewe
novih tehnologija dovode do transformacije
postoje}ih kasnolatenskih zanatskih
centara, koji zajedno sa novoformiranim,
postaju nosioci sna`nog ekonomskog preporoda,
ne samo u kvantitativnom, ve} i u
kvalitativnom smislu. Arheolo{ki materijal
I - II veka pokazuje da su promene bile
postepene, da bi po~etkom III veka privreda
Viminacijuma do`ivela svoju kulminaciju,
a kulturna integracija bila privedena
kraju. Sinteza autohtonih, italskih,
mediteranskih i maloazijskih elemenata
dala je specifi~na obele`ja viminacijumskoj
materijalnoj i duhovnoj kulturi.
Istovremeno cveta trgovina kao posledica
velikog prometa robe, vojske, putnika i
dr`avnih ~inovnika, {to se povoqno
odra`avalo na finansijsku mo} grada.
Vode}u ulogu u trgovini, u po~etku su,
verovatno imali Italici, Grci i Sirijci,
da bi se kasnije ukqu~ili i starosedeoci.
Sredinom V veka u Viminacijumu je `iveo
Grk koji je do{ao radi trgovine, a zatim se
tu trajno nastanio. 40 Natpisi s kraja II i
po~etkom III veka potvr|uju prisustvo
bogatih gra|ana koji svojim sredstvima
u~estvuju u finansirawu javnih radova,
objekata i slu`bi. Na jednoj steli iz
Kostolca (tzv. „ Stela Bankara“), u reqefu
je prikazano bankarsko poslovawe, gde
bogati Rimqanin sedi za stolom i broji
tomb occupy a prominent place (figures 34, 35).
The deceased is a young woman clad in an
expensive long brocade dress, interwoven with
gold thread and decorated with clavi. The shoulder
part of the dress is decorated with ellipsoid
and square jewels. The servant is dressed in a
hemmed sleeveless white tunica in the shape of
a sleeveless shirt, gathered with a belt at the
waist. A pallium, a kind of cloak, usually made
of wool, can be seen covering the shoulders. The
footwear is leather and resembles semi-open
shoes with a single strap (calceus). 38 A monument
from Smederevo on which a certain P.
Ael (ius) Valerianus, a vestiarius from
Viminacium is mentioned 39 , points to the presence
of a clothes-making craftsman.
New production relations and the introduction
of new technologies led to a transformation
of the existing Late La Teène crafts centres,
which, along with the newly formed ones,
became the champions of a strong economic
revival, not only in the quantitative but also in
the qualitative sense. Archaeological material
from the 1 st and the 2 nd century shows that the
changes were gradual, the economy of
Viminacium reaching its peak during the 3 rd century
and its cultural integration being almost
complete. A synthesis of autochthonous, Italic,
Mediterranean and elements from Asia Minor
gave Viminacium’s material and spiritual culture
specific traits. At the same time, as a result of
the large circulation of goods, troops, travellers
and state officials, trade flourished, which had a
positive impact on the city’s financial strength.
In the beginning, the leading role in trade must
have belonged to Italians, Greeks and Syrians,
with the natives catching up somewhat later.
Around the middle of the 5 th century, a Greek
lived in Viminacium who had originally come to
trade and had later settled here. 40 Inscriptions
38 M. Kora}, Slikarstvo grobnica u Viminacijumu, Po`arevac
1998, 76-84, 90-107.
39 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 140.
40 Ibid, 142-143.
38 M. Kora}, Slikarstvo grobnica u Viminacijumu, Po`arevac
1998, 76-84, 90-107.
39 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 140.
40 Ibid, 142-143.
59

novac, a drugo lice, verovatno rob, sa
svitkom u ruci, podnosi ra~un. 41
Velika frekvencija trgovaca je
logi~na posledica stalno stacionirane
vojske sa redovnim prihodima, kao i povremenim
poklonima koje su legionari dobijali,
zatim plena i sume koja je ispla}ivana
nakon odslu`ewa vojnog roka. Velika
nov~ana sredstva skoncentrisana u privredi
i stanovni{tvu grada, pru`ala su
izuzetne poslovne mogu}nosti i {anse.
Privreda Viminacijuma je bila dinami~na,
zasnovana na importu, ali i eksportu
proizvoda doma}ih zanatsko-umetni~kih
radionica.
from the of the 1 st and the beginning of the 3 rd
century confirm the presence of well-to-do citizens
who invested their capital into public works,
buildings and services. A stele from Kostolac,
(the so called “Stela Bankara“ or “the Banker
Stele“) depicts in relief the banking business: a
wealthy Roman is sitting at a table and counting
money while another person, most likely a slave,
scroll in hand, is rendering an accounting. 41
The large number of merchants is a logical
consequence of the presence of permanently
stationed troops with a stable income and with
an occasional reward that legionaries were given,
with their share of the loot and their discharge
money. The substantial capital concentrated in
the economy and in the hands of the city’s
inhabitants offered exceptional business opportunities.
The economy of Viminacium was dynamic,
based on importation but also on exporting
the products of the local arts and crafts workshops.
41 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 64, 142, 143; \. Mano-Zisi,
Umetnost na tlu Jugoslavije, Zagreb 1982, 83, sl. 69.
41 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 64, 142, 143; \. Mano-Zisi,
Umetnost na tlu Jugoslavije, Zagreb 1982, 83, sl. 69.
60

Zanatsko - umetni~ka produkcija
Arts and Crafts Production

Nakon uspostavqawa rimske
vojne vlasti zapo~eo je proces organizacije
uprave i transformacije privrede, koju
je bilo neophodno prilagoditi rimskim
ekonomskim zakonima. Organizovana eksploatacija
rudnika zapo~eta sredinom I
veka, dovela je do osnivawa lokalnih
prera|iva~kih i zanatskih centara. Iako
jo{ nije jasno definisano, mo`e se pretpostaviti
da se oni formiraju oko kasnolatenskih
radionica, sa ve} razra|enim
tehnologijama, a da do zna~ajnih promena
postepeno dolazi u organizaciji same
proizvodwe i distribuciji robe. Na to, pre
After Roman military power had been
established, a process of government organization
and economic transformation began, as harmonization
with Roman economic laws was
required. Organized exploitation of mines began
around the middle of the 1 st century and it led
to the founding of local industrial and crafts centres.
Even if not yet clearly defined, it can be
supposed that these were formed around late La
Téne workshops with already developed technology
and that significant changes took place in
production organization and product distribution.
Strong autochthonous elements in all aspects of
material culture during the 1 st and in the first
37. Bronzani kr~ag,
II-III vek
Bronze jug, 2 nd -3 rd century
63

38. Oru`je, I-IV vek
Weapons, 1 st -4 th century
svega, ukazuju sna`ni autohtoni elementi u
svim vidovima materijalne kulture, tokom
I i u prvoj polovini II veka. Oni su
najizrazitiji u metaloprera|iva~koj i
kerami~arskoj delatnosti.
Period vojne stabilizacije prate
predmeti iskqu~ivo vojne namene kao {to
su: oru`je, alatke, kowska i kolska oprema,
bronzano posu|e i dr. Wih proizvode
kova~ke i liva~ke radionice koje su
prate}i deo svake legije. Raznovrsni oblici
oru`ja, pre svega kopqa, strelice i
bode`i, ukazuju na razli~ite uticaje, ali i
radionice. Skoro dominantna latenoidna
forma mnogih delova vojne opreme ukazuje
na produkciju autohtonih centara, ali i na
pripadnike lokalnog stanovni{tva u rimskim
pomo}nim trupama. Brojna su listolika
kopqa sa vrlo izra`enim uzdu`nim
rebrom koja ukazuju na starije autohtone
uzore. Izdvaja se primerak sa tau{iranim
bronzanim trakama, tako|e poznat latenskoj
kulturi. 42 Sli~na je situacija sa strehalf
of the 3 rd century are a primary indicator of
this. They are most notable in metallurgy and
ceramics.
During the military stabilization period,
mostly objects with military application were
produced, such as: arms, equestrian and horse
wagon equipment, bronze kitchenware etc. These
were produced by smithies and foundries which
accompanied every legion. Various kinds of
arms, mostly spears, darts and daggers point to
different influences but also to different workshops.
The almost dominant La Téne-like form
of many parts of military equipment points to the
production of autochthonous centres but also to
members of the local population in Roman auxiliary
troops. Spears with leaf-shaped heads with
a strong middle ridge of the blade which were
based on older autochthonous models are numerous.
Notable is a specimen with encrusted bronze
bands, also known to the La Téne culture. 42 The
situation is similar with arrows and daggers. The
pilums were made with pyramid-shaped heads or
with arrow-shaped tips. Battle axes, also an
42 O. Brukner, V. Dautova-Ru{evljan, P. Milo{evi}, Po~eci
romanizacije u jugoisto~nom delu provincije Panonije, Novi
Sad 1987, 17, 18, T. 1/3, 4.;J. Todorovi}, Praistorijska
Karaburma I, nekropola mla|eg gvozdenog doba, Beograd
1972, 73, grob 32, T. XIII,3.
42 O. Brukner, V. Dautova-Ru{evljan, P. Milo{evi}, Po~eci
romanizacije u jugoisto~nom delu provincije Panonije, Novi
Sad 1987, 17, 18, T. 1/3, 4.;J. Todorovi}, Praistorijska
Karaburma I, nekropola mla|eg gvozdenog doba, Beograd
1972, 73, grob 32, T. XIII,3.
64

39. Bronzano vedro
Bronze bucket (situla), 1 st century B.C. - I st century A.D.
40. Bronzana lampa (lucerna),
Bronze lamp, (lucerna), 1 st century
licama i bode`ima. Pilumi su sa piramidalnim
probojcem ili sa strelastim vrhom.
Sekire, tako|e obavezan deo vojne opreme,
ustaqenog su latenoidnog oblika. Tokom
arheolo{kih istra`ivawa Viminacijuma
nije prona|en ni jedan primerak ranorimskog
ma~a. Slu~ajni nalazi ma~eva sa
lokaliteta u selu Trwane (stanica Ad
Nonum) i kod po`areva~ke bolnice iz I
veka, ukazuju na vrlo sna`nu latensku
tradiciju i u ovoj vrsti oru`ja. 43 Bronzano
posu|e pokazuje iste uticaje. Bronzano
vedro (situla), iz grobnog bunara, s kraja I i
s po~etka II veka, pripada tipu Westerwann,
veoma rasprostrawenom {irom Evrope
po~etkom I v (sl. 39). 44 [titovi predstavqaju
re|e nalaze, a nekoliko
prona|enih primeraka umba sa sredwim
indispensable part of military equipment, had a
standard La Téne-like shape. No specimens of
early Roman swords were found during archaeological
excavation in Viminacium. The random
finds of first century swords on sites in the present
day village of Trnjane (the Ad Nonum station)
and near the hospital in Pozarevac reveal a
very strong La Téne tradition in the production
of this kind of arms too. 43 Bronze kitchenware
displays identical influences. A bronze pail (situla)
from a burial well from the end of the 1 st
and the beginning of the 2 nd century belongs to
the Westerwann type, very common across
Europe around the beginning of the 1 st century
(figure 39). 44 Shields are less commonly found
and the few finds of umbones with calotteshaped
central sections and wider rims are char-
43 D. Pileti}, Rimsko oru`je sa teritorije Gornje Mezije, VVM 17,
Beograd 1971, 8, T. IV/14.
44 O. Brukner, V. Dautova-Ru{evljan, P. Milo{evi}, op. cit. 20, 21,
T. IX/2-6; D. Spasi}, Prilog prou~avawu tradicije
Skordiska u Viminacijumu, 41, T.V/8.
43 D. Pileti}, Rimsko oru`je sa teritorije Gornje Mezije, VVM 17,
Beograd 1971, 8, T. IV/14.
44 O. Brukner, V. Dautova-Ru{evljan, P. Milo{evi}, op. cit. 20, 21,
T. IX/2-6; D. Spasi}, Prilog prou~avawu tradicije
Skordiska u Viminacijumu, 41, T.V/8.
45 J. Todorovi}, op. cit., 76-77, grob 92/7.
65

42. Delovi trono{ca, I-III vek
Parts of a trivet, 1 st -3 rd century
41. Majmunoliko bo`anstvo, II-III vek
Apelike deity, 2 nd -3 rd century
kalotastim delom i {irim obodom karakteristi~ni
su za posledwe decenije stare
ere. 45 Vrlo zna~ajan nalaz predstavqaju
delovi gvozdenog plo~astog oklopa (lorica
squamata), sa rupicama za spajawe, koji se
javqa na nadgrobnim spomenicima legionara
i pripadnika auksilijarnih trupa,
ve} na po~etku I veka. 46
Doseqavawem romanizovanog gradskog
stanovni{tva u Viminacijumu se
acteristic of the final decades of the Old Age. 45
Another find of great significance are parts of
iron plate armour (lorica squamata) with perforations
for joining, which can be seen on
legionaries“ and auxiliary troops“ gravestones as
early as the beginning of the 1 st century. 46
With the settling of a Romanized population
of city-dwellers, luxury goods for practical
usage appear in Viminacium: lamps, toiletries
and medical instruments, furniture decorations,
keys, locks, cases and chests, an abundance of
appliques, figural bronze plastic art etc. The settlement’s
military camp disposition attracted a
45 J. Todorovi}, op. cit., 76-77, grob 92/7.
46 O. Brukner, V. Dautova-Ru{evljanin, P. Milo{evi}, op. cit., 16,
T. I/2.
46 O. Brukner, V. Dautova-Ru{evljanin, P. Milo{evi}, op. cit., 16,
T. I/2.
66

43. Bronzana lampa (lucerna), I vek p.n.e. -I vek n.e.
Bronze lamp, (lucerna), 1 st century B.C. - 1 st century A.D.
44. Statueta
Prijapa,
II-III vek
Priapus statuet,
2 nd -3 rd century
45. Bronzani poklopac, I-III vek
Bronze lid, 1 st -3 rd century
67

46. Bronzani strigil, I-III vek
Bronze Strigilis, 1 st -3 rd century
pojavquje i luksuzna roba utilitarne
namene: lampe, toaletni i medicinski
instrumenti, ukrasi name{taja, kqu~evi,
okovi, kasete i kov~e`i}i, obiqe aplika,
figuralna bronzana plastika i dr.
Dispozicija vojnih logora uslovila je
`ivu frekvenciju putuju}ih trgovaca i
livaca, koji su snabdevali kupce
najraznovrsnijom robom iz metropole, ili
je izra|ivali na licu mesta, ve{to prilago|avaju}i
svoje proizvode umetni~ko -
estetskim i religiozno-kultnim kriterijumima
lokalnog stanovni{tva. Luksuzna
roba iz I-prve polovine II veka se mo`e
vezati za kampanske radionice koje su pod
jakim uticajem helenisti~kog zanatstva,
naro~ito aleksandrijskog radioni~kog
kruga. Takav zanatsko-umetni~ki rad predstavqa
bronzana lampa (lucerna) sa
tragi~nom maskom mladog Dionisa ili egipatske
bogiwe Jo, koja je tokom I veka,
large number of salesmen and travelling smelters,
who supplied customers with a variety of goods
from the capital, or made it on the spot, skilfully
adapting their products to fit the artistic, aesthetic
and religious criteria of the local population.
Luxury goods from the 1 st and the first half
of the 2 nd century are associated with the workshops
of Campania, which were under a strong
influence of the Hellenistic crafts tradition, in
particular the Alexandrian manufacturing circle.
An example of such art/craftwork is a bronze
lamp (lucerna) with the tragic mask of young
Dionysus or of the Egyptian goddess Jo, which,
directly or indirectly (via Italy), arrived in
Viminacium territory during the 1 st century (figure
43). 47 Bronze lamps are part of the inventory
of the more affluent homes and were often
used as votums in temples and shrines. The
47 A. Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, Rimska bronzana lampa
iz Po`arevca, Starinar IX-X, Beograd 1959, 203-204,
sl. 1-3.
68

47. Kozmeti~ko-medicinska kutija,
II- prva polovina III veka
Cosmetic-medical box, 2 nd - first half of a 3 rd century
47 A. Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, Rimska bronzana lampa
iz Po`arevca, Starinar IX-X, Beograd 1959, 203-204,
sl. 1-3.
48 Vid. napomenu br.18.
48 See footnote 18.
48. Ogledalo, II-III vek
Mirror, 2 nd -3 rd century
direktnim ili indirektnim putem (preko
Italije) dospela na teritoriju Viminacijuma
(sl. 43). 47 Lampe od bronze su predstavqale
inventar ku}a bogatijih gra|ana,
a ~esto su upotrebqavane i kao votumi u
hramovima i svetili{tima. Ve} pomenuti
primerak bronzane lampe u obliku broda,
sa ve{to stilizovanim detaqima pramca i
kquna, upu}uje na rani import, verovatno
iz kampanskih radionica, a kvalitet
izrade na vi{i socijalni status vlasnika.
48
Specifi~nost rimskog duha naro-
~ito se manifestuje u bronzanoj, figuralnoj
plastici, koja se serijski proizvodi i
koristi kao sredstvo ideolo{ke i reliaforementioned
bronze lamp specimen in the
form of a ship, with skilfully crafted detail at the
prow seems to be an early import, probably from
a Campanian workshop, and the quality of craftsmanship
suggests it belonged to a person of
higher stature. 48
The specific character of the Roman spirit
found its particular expression in bronze figural
plastic art, which was produced serially and
used as a means of ideological and economic
propaganda. Bronze statuettes affirm Roman vir-
69

49. Olovno ogledalo, II-IV vek
Lead mirror, 2 nd -4 th century
50. Ogledalo sa Proserpinom, II vek
Mirror with Proserpina, 2 nd century
70

giozne propagande. Statuete od bronze
afirmi{u rimski virtus, propagiraju}i
kapitolinsku trijadu i Dii Militares.
Me|utim, wihova primarna svrha je umetni~ko-dekorativna
i vi{e govori o popularnosti
odre|enih bo`anstava i polubo`anstava.
Naj~e{}e su zastupqene statuete
bo`anstava rimskog Panteona: Jupitera,
Minerve i Venere, a od drugostepenih
vrlo su popularni Bah, Amor, Prijap,
Herkul i Satir. Pored wih, sre}u se i
poprsja bo`anstava ~iji su kultovi doneti
sa Orijenta: Serapisa i Atisa. 49 Svojim
zanatsko-umetni~kim kvalitetima izdvaja
se statueta Prijapa, bo`anstva plodnosti
i obiqa, sa keceqom punom gro`|a i
plodova, koja se svojim stilskim karakteristikama,
mo`e vezati za aleksandrijski
radioni~ki krug. Identi~ne umetni~kostilske
karakteristike sre}u se na bronzanom
poklopcu, sa poprsjem Bahusa sa
me{inom. Lik zrelog mu{karca sa bujnom
kosom povezanom trakom i ukra{enom
grozdovima, odlikuje plemenitost i dostojanstvena
lepota zrelog mu{kog lika (sl.
44, 45).
Lokalna produkcija figuralne plastike
postepeno dovodi do provincijalizacije
koja je najizrazitija u olovnim
{ematizovanim statuetama bo`anstva.
Najbrojnije su statuete nagog `enskog
bo`anstva, protuma~ene kao Venera sa
detetom. 50
Po~etkom II veka smawuje se priliv
predmeta iz severnoitalskih centara, a
lokalna produkcija dobija na intenzitetu,
naro~ito nakon osnivawa metalla Pincensia.
Krajem II i po~etkom III veka dolazi do svotus
propagating the Capitoline triad and the Dii
Militares. Still, its primary purpose is artistic and
decorative and tells more about the popularity of
certain deities and semi-deities. Most frequent
were statuettes of the deities of the Roman
Pantheon: Jupiter, Minerva and Venus and out of
the lesser gods: Bacchus, Amor, Priapus,
Hercules and Satyr. Apart from these, busts of
deities whose cults had been imported from the
Orient were found: those of Serapis and Attis. 49
A statuette of Priapus, the deity of fertility and
abundance, with an apron full of grapes and
fruits, stands out in its artistic quality and can be
associated with the manufacturing circle of
Alexandria. We come across the same artistic
and stylistic traits on the bronze lid depicting the
bust of Bacchus with a wineskin. The representation
of a mature man with thick hair is characterized
by nobleness and the dignified beauty
of a mature male face (fig. 44 and 45).
Local production of figural plastic art
gradually led to provincialization which is mostly
visible in schematized lead statuettes of
deities. The most numerous are the statuettes of
a nude female deity thought to be Venus with a
child. 50 The influx of objects from north Italian
centres decreased around the beginning of the 2 nd
century and local production gained momentum,
especially after the opening of the metalla
Pincensia. Around the end of the 2 nd and the
beginning of the 3 rd century, a kind of trading
revolution took place which brought about a rise
in importation from all over the Empire. Goods
were massively imported from Gallia, the
Mediterranean, the Black Sea and from the East.
Local crafts were enriched with new decorative
techniques (perforation, enamelling, encrustation
49 Lj. B. Popovi} , \. Mano -Zisi, M. Veli~kovi}, B. Jeli~i},
Anti~ka bronza u Jugoslaviji, Beograd 1969, kat. br. 117, 132,
140, 143, 160, 166, 171, 175, 184, 254, 264; Bogata kolekcija
rimske bronzane plastike je ukradena iz
Narodnog muzeja u Po`arevcu 1989 .g.
50 I. Popovi}, Radionica olovnih predmeta ili svetili{te
kulta dunavskih kowanika u Viminacijumu,
VIMINACIVM 7, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1992, 45-46, 50-54.
49 Lj. B. Popovi} - Dj. Mano -Zisi-M. Veli~kovi}, B. Jeli~i}, Anti~ka
bronza u Jugoslaviji, Beograd 1969, kat. br. 117, 132, 140, 143, 160,
166, 171, 175, 184, 254, 264; The rich collection of Roman bronze
plastic art was stolen from the Po`arevac National Museum in its
entirety in 1989.
50 I. Popovi}, Radionica olovnih predmeta ili svetili{te
kulta dunavskih kowanika u Viminacijumu,
VIMINACIVM 7, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1992, 45-46, 50-54.
71

51. Ogledalo sa Dionisom i Arijadnom,
kraj II - prve decenije III veka
Mirror with Dionysus and Ariadne,
end of a 2 nd - secod decades of a 3 rd century
jevrsne trgova~ke revolucije, tj. do
ekspanzije importa iz svih delova Carstva.
Masovno se uvozi roba iz Galije, sa
Mediterana, Ponta i Istoka. Lokalno
zanatstvo se oboga}uje novim dekorativnim
tehnikama (prolamawe, emajl, tau{irawe i
nielo). Predmeti utilitarnog karaktera
su veoma brojni i pokazuju razli~ite
stilske uticaje i kosmopolitiski duh koji
se ose}a u svim sferama `ivota. Visok
standard viminacijumskog stanovni{tva
potvr|uju razli~iti medicinski, kozmeti~ki
i toaletni instrumenti. Kozmeti-
~ko-medicinska kutija, piksida, sa urezanim
ornamentom sitnih listova pore|anih u
vidu ribqe krqu{ti, donekle ponavqa
and niello). Objects for everyday use are very
numerous and display various stylistic influences
and a cosmopolitan spirit, which was felt in all
areas of life. The presence of an assortment of
medical instruments, cosmetics accessories and
toiletries are proof of the high standard of living
the population of Viminacium enjoyed. A cosmetic/medical
box, a pyxis, with a carved ornament
in the form of tiny leaves laid out like fish
scales partly repeats the ornaments seen on the
terra si-gillata vessels from Rheinzabern from
the mid 2 nd century (figure 47). Apart from cosmetic
bo-xes, a frequent find in Viminacium
graves are bronze, silver, and less frequently lead
mirrors, gilded or not. Circular bronze and silver
mirrors were decorated with simple geometric
72

52. Fibule sa emajlom, II-III vek
Fibula with enamel, 2 nd -3 rd century
ornamentiku terra sigillata, posuda iz
Rheinzaber-na, sredinom II veka (sl. 47).
Osim kozmeti~kih kutija, ~est prilog u
viminacijumskim grobovima su ogledala od
bronze, srebra, a re|e od olova ili sa
pozlatom. Bronzana i srebrna ogledala,
kru`ne forme, su ukra{ena jednostavnom
geometrijskom ornamentikom izvedenom
{estarom i urezivawem. Minijaturna,
olovna ogledala pokazuju tipolo{ko
bogatstvo sa znatno slo`enijom dekoracijom
koja je, kao i samo ogledalo, nosilac
jedne dubqe simboli~no-kultne ideje.
Specifi~ne stilske karakteristike ukazuju
na produkciju viminacijumske radionice.
51 Vrlo retka, a zbog tehnike izrade
skupocena reqefna ogledala su zastupqena
sa sedam primeraka. Reqefna predstava je
iskucavana na tankom bronzanom limu, a
zatim se vr{ilo posrebrivawe ili pozlaornaments
carved with a compass. Miniature lead
mirrors show typological variety and bear far
more complex decorations, which, like the mirrors
themselves, are carriers of a deeper symbolic
and cult idea. The specific stylistic characteristics
suggest that these were crafted in a
Viminacium workshop. 51 Very rare relief mirrors,
precious for their production technique, are represented
by seven specimens. The relief was
made on thin bronze plates by chiselling and
these were then silver-plated or gilt. Viminacium
relief mirrors from the period of the second half
of the 2 nd and the first half of the 3 rd century are
characterized by quality crafting, visible in
smooth modelling and refined stylization of characters.
Idealizing in the spirit of the Classical
style and harmony of composition proper places
them among the highest quality specimens of this
kind on the territory of the Empire, with notable
influences of the Asia Minor and African pro-
51 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka olovna ogledala iz Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu, 41, 42.
51 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka olovna ogledala iz Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu, 41, 42.
73

74
53. Pojasne garniture, II-IV vek
Belt set, 2 nd -4 th century

}ivawe. Viminacijumska reqefna ogledala
iz perioda druge polovine II i prve
polovine III veka, odlikuje kvalitetna zanatsko-umetni~ka
izrada, izra`ena u mekoj
modelaciji i prefiwenoj stilizaciji likova.
Idealizacija u duhu klasi~nog stila
i harmoni~nost same kompozicije svrstava
ih u najkvalitetnije primerke ove vrste na
teritoriji Carstva, uz primetne uticaje
maloazijskog i severno-afri~kog proizvodnog
kruga. Originalnost ikonografskih
predstava ukazuje na obrazovane
naru~ioce i zanatlije, dobro upoznate sa
religijsko-filozofskim u~ewima II-III
veka i odgovaraju}im mitolo{kim matricama
i wihovom simbolikom (sl. 50, 51). 52
O delatnostima metaloprera|iva~kih
radionica svedo~e mnogobrojni
predmeti neophodni u svakodnevnom
`ivotu civilnog i vojnog stanovni{tva:
alatke, delovi kola, udice, igle, klanfe,
klinovi. Nalazi kqu~eva, brava, okova,
dr{ki i ukrasnih oplata, predstavqaju
ostatke mawih ili ve}ih kov~ega-{kriwa
koji su bili obavezan inventar svake ku}e.
Mawe kutije su slu`ile za sme{taj i
no{ewe kozmeti~kog i toaletnog pribora,
a umetni~ka obrada oplate je zavisila od
standarda vlasnika. Bronzane oplate sa
reqefnom dekoracijom, ra|ene iskucavawem
na matrici, svakako su znatno
skupqi i zato re|i vid dekoracije ovih
predmeta. Sa teritorije Viminacijuma
poti~u tri bronzane reqefne oplate.
Jedna oplata sadr`i personifikacije
meseci i godi{wih doba, druga motiv tijasosa
53 , a na tre}oj se nalazi predstava Muze.
Vrlo visoke zanatsko-umetni~ke
domete viminacijumski majstori su desegli
duction traditions. The originality of iconographic
representation points to an educated clientele
and craftsmen, well acquainted with the religious
and philosophic teachings of the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries,
with suitable mythological matrices and
their symbolism (figures 50 and 51). 52
The activity of metal-processing workshops
is witnessed by numerous objects necessary
for everyday life of civilians and military
personnel: tools, parts of horse-wagons, fishing
hooks, pins, clamps, nails. Finds of keys, locks,
handles and metal decorations are the remains of
smaller or larger chests, which were an indispensable
item in every household. Smaller boxes
were used for storing and carrying cosmetic
accessories and toiletries and the artistic crafting
of the surface of the box depended on the
owner’s standard. Bronze plating with relief decorations
crafted by chiselling following a matrix,
was certainly a more expensive and therefore
less common way of decorating these objects.
Three examples of bronze relief plating come
from Viminacium. One of these features a personification
of the months and seasons, another
one the motif of a Thiasos 53 and a third one
depicts a Muse.
Viminacium craftsmen achieved very
high standards in making bronze jewellery,
which is also the most numerous. As a material,
bronze offered the most opportunity for applying
all crafting and decoration techniques. The techniques
of bronze perforating were largely used,
especially in making belts and accessories, crafted
in minute detail, and often decorated with
gilding and enamel, with intricate web-shaped
and floral motifs. The bronze jewellery of the 2 nd
to 4 th centuries displays great crafting and typological
variation, with all techniques used: casting,
forging, cutting, filigree, granulation, perfo-
52 D. Spasi}-\uri}, Reqefna ogledala iz Viminacijuma,
VIMINACIVM 12, ZRNM, Po`arevac, 2001,
159-178, sl. 2-10.
53 M. \or|evi}, Bronzane oplate za kov~e`i} iz
Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM 8-9, ZRNM, Po`arevac
1994, 43-49.
52 D. Spasi}-\uri}, Reqefna ogledala iz Viminacijuma,
VIMINACIVM 12, ZRNM, Po`arevac, 2001,
159-178, sl. 2-10.
53 M. \or|evi}, Bronzane oplate za kov~e`i} iz
Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM 8-9, ZRNM, Po`arevac
1994, 43-49.
75

54. Ostava iz sela Bare, I vek
Bare hoard, 1 st century
u izradi nakita od bronze koji je i najbrojniji.
Bronza je kao materijal pru`ala
naj{ire mogu}nosti za primenu svih tehnika
izrade i dekoracije. Masovno se koriste
tehnike probijawa, naro~ito za izradu
pojasnih garnitura i aplikacija, izra|ene
do krajwe minucioznosti, a ~esto ukra-
{avane pozlatom i emajlom sa slo`enim
mre`astim i vegetabilnim motivima.
Bronzani nakit II-IV veka, pokazuje veliko
zanatsko i tipolo{ko bogatstvo uz primenu
svih tehnika: livewa, kovawa, isecawa,
filigrana, granulacije, probijawa,
pozlate, emajla, tau{irawa, iskucavawa i
punktirawa. Najbrojnije su bronzane:
pojasne garniture, prstewe, fibule,
narukvice, privesci i aplikacije, dok su
rating, gilding, enamelling, encrustation, chiselling
and puncturing. Most numerous are bronze
belts, rings, fibulas, bracelets, pendants and
appliques, while earrings are somewhat scarcer.
Viminacium jewellery making was obviously
determined by the needs and means of its wider
population, apparently not having access to jewellery
of high artistic value. 54
Alongside bronze, iron and lead,
Viminacium craftsmen also used silver in producing
jewellery, other decorations, objects for
everyday use and luxury kitchenware. The beginning
of local production of silver objects cannot
54 Q. Zotovi}, Tipolo{ka analiza min|u{a od srebra
iz rimskih radionica iz Viminacijumau: Radionice i
kovnice srebra, Beograd 1995, 233-241.
76

55. Srebrni nakit, I-III vek
Silver jewelry, 1 st -3 rd century
ne{to re|e min|u{e. Viminacijum-ska
produkcija nakita je o~igledno bila diktirana
potrebama i mogu}nostima {irokih
narodnih slojeva, kojima nije bio dostupan
luksuzan nakit visoke umetni~ke vrednosti.
54
Za izradu nakita i drugih ukrasnih
predmeta, utilitarija i luksuznog posu|a
viminacijumski majstori su osim bronze,
gvo`|a i olova, koristili srebro.
Po~etak lokalne produkcije predmeta od
srebra, za sada se ne mo`e pouzdano hronoas
yet be precisely dated. Silver had been used
in the production of luxury goods ever since the
4 th century BC and dominated in the La Téne
period. During the period of Roman colonization
and stabilization, silver objects, above all jewellery,
retained autochthonous forms, created
through a synthesis of Hellenistic, Illyric, Dacian,
Thracian and Celtic elements. A depot containing
silver coins, jewellery and religious objects
in the village of Bare near Pozarevac, dated by
Domitian’s coins from the years of 81 to 84, is
the most notable example of this cultural integration
(figure 54). 55 The jewellery from this
54 Q. Zotovi}, Tipolo{ka analiza min|u{a od srebra
iz rimskih radionica iz Viminacijumau: Radionice i
kovnice srebra, Beograd 1995, 233-241.
55 I. Popovi}, B. Bori}-Bre{kovi}, Ostava iz Bara,
Beograd 1994.
77

56. Agrafa, druga polovina I veka
Agraffe, second half of a 1 nd century
58. Ka{ika (ligula), kraj II - III vek
Spoon (ligula), end of a 2 nd -3 rd century
78

lo{ki odrediti. Srebro
se za izradu luksuznih
predmeta koristi jo{ od
VI v. p. n. e. i dominira u
latenskom periodu. U
periodu rimske kolonizacije
i stabilizacije,
srebrni predmeti, pre
svega nakit, zadr`avaju
autohtone forme nastale
kroz sintezu i preplitawe
helenisti~kih, ilirskih,
da~kih, tra~kih i
keltskih elemenata. Ostava
srebrnog novca, nakita
i kultnih predmeta
iz sela Bare kod Po`arevca,
datovana novcem
Domicijana iz 81-84. g.,
najizrazitiji je primer
ove kulturne integracije
(sl. 54). 55 Nakit iz ove
ostave (narukvice i alke
od uvijene `ice, kao i one
sa spiralno namotanim
krajevima ili krajevima u
obliku glave i repa zmije,
tordirani torkvesi), kao
pre`ivele autohtone forme,
traja}e u Viminacijumu
i tokom II i III
veka. 56 Paralelno sa lokalnom
produkcijom predmeta
i nakita od srebra,
sa prvim italskim doseqenicima
i trgovcima,
na viminacijumsku teritoriju
sti`u i prvi luksuzni
primerci rimskog
57. Stidqiva Venera,
po~etak II veka
Venus Pudica, beginning
of a 2 nd century
depot (bracelets and hoops of
wrung wire as well as those
with spirally shaped ends, or
with ends shaped like the
head and tail of a snake,
wrung torques) were to live
on in Viminacium as surviving
autochthonous forms during
the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries.
56
Parallel to local
production of silver objects
and jewellery, luxurious
specimens of Roman crafts
production began arriving in
Viminacium, brought by the
first Italic settlers and merchants.
A silver agraffe depicting
the scene of Hercules
fighting the lion of Nemea is
an extraordinary example of
a first century work of art.
The meticulous crafting and
decoration technique, with
gold encrusted details, points
to elements of the Late
Hellenistic, Alexandrian artistic
circle (figure 56). 57
Another specimen is a miniature
silver statuette of Venus
Pudica, which most likely
used to be the decorative
head of a hairpin. Judging by
the hairstyle with a diadem
in the hair, characteristic of
empresses Plotina (Trajan’s
consort) and Sabina (Hadrian’s
consort) it can be
dated to the first half of the
2 nd century (figure 57).
55 I. Popovi}, B. Bori}-Bre{kovi}, Ostava iz Bara,
Beograd 1994.
56 I. Popovi}, Autohtone i helenisti~ke tradicije na
rimskom nakitu I do III veka, u : Anti~ko srebro u
Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi}, Beograd 1994, 25-31.
56 I. Popovi}, Autohtone i helenisti~ke tradicije na
rimskom nakitu I do III veka, u : Anti~ko srebro u
Srbiji, priredila I. Popovi}, Beograd 1994, 25-31.
57 I. Popovi}, Produkcija srebra u periodu ranog carstva:
lokalni proizvodi i import, 54, kat. 181.
79

zanatstva. Izvanredan zanatsko
- umetni~ki rad iz
I veka predstavqa srebrna
agrafa sa scenom
Herakla u borbi sa Nemejskim
lavom. Minuciozna
tehnika izrade i
dekoracije sa detaqima
izvedenim tau{irawem u
zlatu, ukazuje na elemente
k a s n o h e l e n i s t i ~ k o g ,
aleksandrijskog umetni-
~kog kruga (sl. 56). 57 Drugi
primerak je minijaturna
srebrna statueta Stidqive
Venere koja, najverovatnije,
predstavqa ukrasnu
glavu igle za kosu.
Sude}i po frizuri sa
dijademom u kosi, karakteristi~noj
za carice
Plotinu (Trajanova `ena)
i Sabinu (Hadrijanova
`ena), mo`e se opredeliti
u prvu polovinu II
veka (sl. 57).
Zanatsko - umetni-
~kom sazrevawu lokalnih
majstora svakako je doprinela
sna`na koncentracija
ve{tih zanatlija
u rudni~kom disktriktu.
Me|u wima je bilo i majstora
iz poznatih italskih
i isto~no - mediteranskih
toreutskih centara.
Pomenuti Refidije
Eutih, faber argentarius,
verovatno je poreklom iz
Gr~ke ili neke od
helenisti~kih zemaqa. 58
59. Srebrno prstewe, II-III vek
Silver rings,
2 nd -3 rd century
A high concentration
of skilful craftsmen in
the mining district undoubtedly
contributed to the artistic
maturing of local craftsmen.
Among the said skilled
craftsmen were people from
famous Italic and Eastern-
Mediterranean toreutic centres.
The aforesaid Refidius
Eutichus, faber argentarius,
was probably from Greece or
a Hellenistic country. 58 A
Syrian diaspora was formed
in Viminacium at the end of
the 2 nd and the beginning of
the 3 rd century, through the
settlement of people from
Comagene in Syria. 59 These
social circumstances certainly
reflected upon the importation
of goods from the East
as well as on local production,
enriching it with new
forms and decorative techniques
such as encrustation,
filigree, granulation and niello.
A silver spoon (ligula)
with an egg-shaped bowl and
a handle with an ending
shaped like a (goat’s) hoof is
2 nd or 3 rd century. The middle
of its bowl is decorated
with a gold-encrusted motif
of a fish (figure 58).
Silver was used
more rarely in making belts,
fibulas and rings. Silver jewellery
from the 2 nd and 3 rd
centuries is simple in form,
made by casting or cutting,
58 Vid. napomenu 34.
57 I. Popovi}, Produkcija srebra u periodu ranog
carstva: lokalni proizvodi i import, 54, kat. 181.
58 See footnote 34.
59 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 128.
80

60. Srebrne narukvice, II-III vek
Silver bracelets, 2 nd -3 rd century
Krajem II i po~etkom III veka u Viminacijumu
se formira sirijska dijaspora, naseqavawem
stanovni{tva iz sirijske Komagene
59 . Ove dru{tvene okolnosti nesumwivo
su se odrazile na priliv robe sa
Istoka i lokalnu produkciju, oboga}uju}i
je novim formama i dekorativnim tehnikama
kao {to su tau{irawe, filigran, granulacija
i nielo. Iz perioda II-III veka
poti~e srebrna ka{ika (ligula), sa jajolikim
recipijentom i dr{kom koja se
zavr{ava u obliku kopita (kozje noge). U
sredi{wem delu recipijenta je, zlatom
tau{irana, predstava ribe (sl. 58).
Srebro je re|e kori{}eno za izradu
pojasnih garnitura, fibula i prstewa.
59 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 128.
mostly decorated by carving. According to Lj.
Zotovic, the main reason for this was the high
level of purity of the silver used in Viminacium
workshops, which rendered it difficult for modelling
and for more complex crafting techniques.
60 Pseudo-granulation is most frequently
found, while specimens with filigree or granulation
are rare.
Outstanding is a silver earring specimen
with an interlacing in the form of the knot of
Heracles, which reflects influences of Hellenistic
jewellery-making, mostly of Black Sea jewellerymaking
centres (figure 62). 61
The most substantial evidence of
60 Q. Zotovi}, Tipolo{ka analiza min|u{a od srebra,
236-241.
61 Q. Zotovi}, Ibid, 236-241, tip V B; I. Popovi}, Roman
Jewelry int the Form of hercules Symbols in Central Balkans,
Starinar XLIX 1998, Beograd 1999, 77-92, Fig. 11.
81

Srebrni nakit iz II-III veka je jednostavnih
formi, izra|en livewem i isecawem, a
naj~e{}e ukra{avan urezivawem. Osnovni
razlog za to je, kako smatra Q. Zotovi},
visok stepen ~isto}e srebra koje je
kori{}eno u viminacijumskim radionicama,
i kao takvo nepogodno za obradu i
slo`enije zanatske tehnike. 60 Naj~e{}e je
zastupqena pseudogranulacija dok su
primerci sa filigranom i granulacijom
retki.
Izdvaja se primerak srebrne min-
|u{e sa prepletom u vidu Heraklovog ~vora
koji reflektuje uticaje helenisti~kog
zlatarstva, pre svega crnomorskih zlatarskih
centara (sl. 62). 61
Najsna`nije arheolo{ke potvrde o
Viminacijumu kao zna~ajnom toreutskom
centru pru`aju nalazi srebrnog posu|a. U
Kostolcu je 1899. godine otkriven depo
koga je ~inilo: pet pehara od kojih su dva sa
poklopcem, dva tawira sa ukra{enim obodima
i jedna cilindri~na kutija. Nalaz se
datuje u drugu polovinu IV veka. Iz
Viminacijuma poti~e i srebrna zdela
izvanredne izrade, sa {irokim obodom
oivi~enim sitnim perlama, koja je sude}i
po naknadno urezanom Hristovom monogramu,
pripadala hri{}aninu. Iz perioda V-
VI veka poti~e jo{ jedan nalaz koji se sastajao
od dve zdele na {irokoj, {upqoj
stopi, vrlo bliske prethodnim formama.
Pretpostavqa se da su kori{}ene u toku
hri{}anskih obreda, a stilski se vezuju za
isto~no-mediteranski proizvodni krug.
Specifi~ne i elegantne forme viminacijumskih
posuda, nezabele`ene u repertoaru
sli~nih ostava na {irokom prostoru od
Britanije do Sredozemqa, nastale su u viminacijumskim
toreutskim radionicama.
60 Q. Zotovi}, Tipolo{ka analiza min|u{a od srebra,
236-241
61 Q. Zotovi}, Ibid, 236-241, tip V B; I. Popovi}, Roman
Jewelry int the Form of hercules Symbols in Central Balkans,
Starinar XLIX 1998, Beograd 1999, 77-92, Fig. 11.
61. Nakit od srebra, II-IV vek
Silver jewelry, 2 nd -4 th century
Viminacium’s being a strong toreutic centre are
silver kitchenware finds. A depot was discovered
in Kostolac in 1899 which contained: five
beakers, out of which two had lids, two plates
with decorated edges and a cylinder-shaped box.
The find is dated to the second half of the 4 th
century. Also coming from Viminacium is an
exquisitely-crafted silver bowl, with a wide rim
lined with small beads, which, judging by
Christ’s monogram, engraved at a later date,
belonged to a Christian. Another find, coming
from the period of 5 th -6 th century, consisted of
two bowls upon wide, hollow bases, very similar
to earlier forms. These are supposed to have
been used in Christian rituals and are stylistically
associated with the Eastern Mediterranean
82

62. Srebrna min|u{a, II-III vek
Silver earring, 2 nd -3 rd century
63. Ka{ika (ligula), VI-VII vek
Spoon (ligula), 6 th -7 th century
Wihova stilsko-umetni~ka prepoznatqivost
i originalnost, rezultat su dugogodi{weg
iskustva i sinteze razli~itih
uticaja. 62 Istom nalazu su pripadale i
srebrne ka{ike od kojih se tri ~uvaju u
Narodnom muzeju u Beogradu, a jedna u
Narodnom muzeju u Po`arevcu. Ka{ika
manufacturing circle. The particular and elegant
forms of Viminacium crockery, absent from the
inventories of similar depots in the wide area
from Britain to the Mediterranean, were made in
Viminacium’s metal workshops. Their artistic
and stylistic uniqueness and originality were the
result of long-accumulated experience and of a
62 J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko i ranovizantijsko srebrno
posu|e iz Srbije, u : Radionice i kovnice srebra,
Beograd 1995, 184-186. T. IV/c,e, T. V/c,d; T./ VII/a-d.
62 J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko i ranovizantijsko srebrno
posu|e iz Srbije, u : Radionice i kovnice srebra,
Beograd 1995, 184-186. T. IV/c,e, T. V/c,d; T./ VII/a-d.
83

84
64. @enski nakit,
Narodni muzej
Po`arevac
Female jewelry,
National Museum
Po`arevac

65. Bronzana zdela, V - VI vek
Bronze dish, 5 th - 6 th century
(ligula) je ovoidnog recipijenta sa monogramom
urezanim na prelazu dr{ke u recipijent.
Monogram sadr`i li~no ime,
AENEVS (sl. 63). 63
Srebrno posu|e je bilo nameweno
otmenom i bogatom aristokratskom sloju
viminacijumskog dru{tva. Dugo je upotrebqavano
i kao izuzetno blago ~uvalo se u
porodici i nasle|ivalo kroz vi{e generacija.
Za sredwi dru{tveni sloj, viminacijumske
radionice su izra|ivale i
posu|e od bronze, tako|e visokog zanatskog
kvaliteta, a po uzoru na forme srebrnog
posu|a. Jedan takav primerak plitke, bronzane
zdele sa {irokim obodom oivi~enim
pseudogranulama, na koni~noj, {upqoj
stopi, na|en je tokom arheolo{kih
istra`ivawa i mo`e se datovati u period
V-VI veka (sl. 65).
Za izradu nakita viminacijumski
majstori su, procentualno, vi{e koristili
synthesis of various influences. 62 Silver spoons,
three of which are kept at the National Museum
in Belgrade and one at the National Museum in
Pozarevac, belonged to the same find. The spoon
(ligula) has an ovoid bowl with a monogram
engraved at the point where the handle meets the
bowl. The monogram contains a personal name,
AENEVS (figure 63). 63
Silverware was made for the wealthy
aristocratic class of Viminacium society. It was
used over long periods of time being kept in the
family like a treasured possession being handed
down from generation to generation. For the
middle-classes Viminacium workshops also produced
bronze kitchenware, which was also of a
high craftsmanship standard, modelled on the silverware.
One such piece is a shallow bronze
bowl with a wide rim lined with pseudo-granules
upon a hollow conical base which was uncovered
during archaeological excavations and can be
dated to the period of the 5 th -6 th centuries (fig-
63 J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko srebro, kat. 321-324. 63 J. Kondi}, Kasnoanti~ko srebro, kat. 321-324.
85

66. Zlatne min|u{e, I-IV vek
Golden earrings, 1 st -4 th century
67. Zlatne min|u{e, II-IV vek
Golden earrings, 2 nd -4 th century
zlato od srebra. Kao metropola provincije,
Viminacijum je diktirao modna strujawa,
formiraju}i ukus {irokih narodnih
masa. Intenzivnu produkciju viminacijumskih
radionica, koja se mo`e pratiti jo{
od po~etka II veka, potvr|uju bogate kolekcije
zlatnog nakita iz Narodnog muzeja u
Beogradu 64 i Narodnog muzeja u Po`arevcu.
Nalaz zlatarskog nakovwa na prostoru
civilnog naseqa ukazuje na prisustvo
ure 64).
Viminacium craftsmen used gold more
frequently than silver in jewellery-making. Being
a provincial capital, Viminacium dictated fashion
trends, forming the taste of the wide population.
Intensive production, which can be followed
from as early on as the beginning of the 2 nd century,
is confirmed by the rich collections of gold
jewellery from the National Museum in
Belgrade 64 and the National Museum in
64 I. Popovi}, Rimski nakit u Narodnom muzeju u Beogradu,
II Zlatan nakit, Beograd 1996, kat.
3,5,12,21,22,48,68,69,70,83,84,87,97,106,107,108,113,142.
64 I. Popovi}, Rimski nakit u Narodnom muzeju u Beogradu,
II Zlatan nakit, Beograd 1996, kat.
3,5,12,21,22,48,68,69,70,83,84,87,97,106,107,108,113,142.
86

68. Zlatne min|u{e, I-III vek
Golden earrings, 1 st -3 rd century
zlatara (vascularii), me|u kojima je svakako,
bilo i zanatlija iz helenisti~kih oblasti
Carstva. Sude}i po standardnim provincijalnim
formama jednostavne konstrukcije,
ta produkcija je bila namewena ni`im i
sredwim kategorijama, koje su ~inile
ve}inu viminacijumskog stanovni{tva.
Najbrojniju grupu nakita od zlata ~ine
min|u{e koje se, po na~inu kop~awa, dele u
tri grupe: sa otvorenim, zatvorenim i
karikama „ S“ oblika. U okviru wih se
pojavquju brojne varijante ~ije precizne
hronolo{ke okvire nije mogu}e definisati
zbog produ`ene upotrebe pojedinih
formi. Freska iz IV veka sa likom mlade
`ene sa min|u{ama tipi~nim za II-III vek,
najboqe ilustruje aktuelnost pojedinih
formi tokom du`eg perioda (sl. 67). 65
Pozarevac. The find of a goldsmith’s anvil on the
territory of the civilian settlement indicates the
presence of goldsmiths (vascularii), among
which there must also have been craftsmen from
the Hellenistic parts of the Empire. Judging by
the standard provincial forms, simple in making,
this production was intended for the lower and
middle classes, which comprised the largest part
of Viminacium’s population. The largest group
of gold jewellery consists of earrings, which,
according to how they were closed, are divided
into three categories: open, closed and S-shaped.
Within these categories, numerous variations are
found for the making of which no specific timeframe
can be defined, due to the prolonged use
of certain forms. A 4 th century fresco depicting
a young woman wearing earrings typical for the
2 nd -3 rd century is the best illustration of the pop-
65 M. Kora}, Slikarstvo grobnica u Viminacijumu, 97. 65 M. Kora}, Slikarstvo grobnica u Viminacijumu, 97.
87

69. Zlatne
min|u{e, I-IV vek
Golden earrings,
1 st -4 th century
70. Zlatne
min|u{e,
I-IV vek
Golden
earrings,
1 st -4 th century
88

71. Zlatne min|u{e, II-IV vek
Golden earrings, 2 nd -4 th century
Najjednostavnije i najbrojnije su min|u{ekarike
sa preba~enim i spiralno namotanim
krajevima, ~esto sa `i~anim priveskom
koji je razli~ito re{en. Period II-
III veka karakteri{e bogatstvo formi sa
vrlo izra`enim koloristi~kim efektima
pod uticajem polihromnog stila koji sti`e
sa doseqenicima isto~nog porekla. Modni
trend nala`e masovnu upotrebu poludragog
kamewa, bisera i staklene paste. Paralelno
se nose min|u{e sa ukrasnom glavom u
vidu kalote ili rozete iskucane u zlatnom
limu, kao i min|u{e sa ukrasnom glavom u
kojoj je poludragi kamen ili staklena
pasta. Pojedine varijante su dopuwene
privescima od zlatnog lima ili `ice sa
perlicama na kraju. Vrlo dekorativnu
formu predstavqaju min|u{e koje poti~u
iz mermernog sarkofaga u kome je bila
sahrawena mlada `ena, verovatno isto~nog
porekla. Na kari~ici „ S“ forme se nalazi
pravougaona ukrasna glava sa ufasovanim
fasetiranim granatom (ili rubinom), a na
uglovima kasete se nalaze zrakasto postaularity
certain forms enjoyed over longer periods
(figure 67). 65 The simplest and most frequently
found were earrings with crossed and spirallywound
endings, often with a wire pendant in various
shapes . The period of the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries
was characterized by an abundance of
forms with very marked colourist effects, appearing
under the influence of the polychromatic
style brought by settlers from the East. Fashion
trends dictated the massive use of semi-precious
stones, pearls and glass paste. At the same time,
earrings with decorative calotte- or rosette-shaped
heads made out of thin gold were worn, as well
as earrings with a decorative head with an inset
semi-precious stone or glass paste. Certain varieties
were complemented with pendants made of
gold foil or wire with beads at their ends. A pair
of earrings, found in a marble sarcophagus in
which a young woman, probably Eastern in origin,
was buried, is an example of a very decorative
form. The S-shaped earring has a decorative
rectangular head with an inset faceted
granate (or ruby). Wire pendants are positioned
at the corners of the cassette in a radial layout.
89

72. Zlatna min|u{a, II-III vek
Golden earring, 2 nd -3 rd century
vqeni, `i~ani privesci. Na osnovu arheolo{kog
konteksta, datuju se u kraj III i IV
vek (sl 71).
Min|u{e visoke zanatsko - umetni~ke
vrednosti, namewene istan~anom
ukusu bogatih rimskih gra|anki, su znatno
re|e. Razlog tome su, svakako, vi{evekovne
pqa~ke viminacijumskih grobnica koje su
tokom XX veka dobile neslu}ene razmere.
Osim toga, rimska zbirka formirana
daleke 1895. godine, sa veoma bogatom
kolekcijom rimskog nakita, nestala je
Based on the archaeological context, these are
dated to the end of the 3 rd century, or to the
4 th .(figure 71).
Earrings of high artistic value, counting
on the refined taste of wealthy female Roman
citizens, are considerably less common. The reason
for this is, surely, the centuries-long raiding
66 M. Manojlovi}, Sto godina od osnivawa Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu u: Narodni muzej Po`arevac 1896-
1996, grupa autora, Po`arevac 1996, 12-39; Apart from
this, important collections of Roman coins disappeared in the great
robberies of the Museum in the years1989 and 1994, only a small
part of which has been returned to the Museum.
90

73. Zlatna min|u{a,
kraj III vek
Golden earring,
end of a 3 rd century
91

74. Zlatno prstewe, II-IV vek
Golden rings, 2 nd -4 th century
75 Zlatni prsten, III-IV vek
Golden ring, 3 rd -4 th century
prilikom evakuacije 1915. g. 66 Luksuzniji
tipovi min|u{a su ra|eni u tehnici opus
interrasile, kojom je, prolamawem metala
postignut ~ipkast utisak. 67 U grupu
min|u{a visokog umetni~kog kvaliteta
spadaju primerci sa ufasovanom kamejom,
naj~e{}e od plavo-belog opala ili kvarca,
sa popularnim predstavama Meduze i
Amora. 68 Najreprezentativniji primerak
sa teritorije Viminacijuma je min|u{a s
kraja III veka, na|ena na teritoriji severnih
nekropola Viminacijuma. U zlatnom,
tordiranom okviru nalazi se kameja od
dvoslojnog ahata sa bistom mu{karca u
66 M. Manojlovi}, Sto godina od osnivawa Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu u : Narodni muzej Po`arevac 1896-
1996, grupa autora, Po`arevac 1996, 12-39; U velikim
pqa~kama Muzeja 1989 i 1994. g. nestale su zna~ajne
kolekcije rimskog srebrnog i zlatnog nakita, a samo je
mawi deo vra}en Muzeju.
67 I. Popovi}, Zlatan nakit II, kat. 97.
68 D. Spasi}, Rimske nau{nice iz Narodnog muzeja u
Po`arevcu, kat. 9,10.
of Viminacium tombs, which took on unforeseen
proportions during the 20 th century. Apart from
this, the Roman collection formed in the remote
year of 1895, which included a very rich collection
of Roman jewellery, disappeared during
evacuation in 1915. 66 The more luxurious types
of earrings were made in the technique of opus
interrasile, which achieved a lacy look of the
metal. 67 Earring specimens with inset cameos,
most frequently of blue-and-white opal or quartz,
bearing the popular motifs of Medusa and
Amor, 68 belong to the group of high artistic quality
earrings. The most representative item from
the territory of Viminacium is an earring from
the end of the 3 rd century found in the northern
Viminacium necropolises. In a wrung gold frame
67 I. Popovi}, Zlatan nakit II, kat. 97.
68 D. Spasi}, Rimske nau{nice iz Narodnog muzeja u
Po`arevcu, kat. 9,10.
69 I. Popovi}, Rimske kameje iz Narodnog muzeja u
Po`arevcu, VIMINACIVM 6, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1991, kat.
8.
92

76. Ogrlice, I-IV vek
Necklaces, 1 st -4 th century
desnom profilu. O popre~nu gredu su
oka~ena 4 priveska od zlatnog lima u vidu
delfina sa bisernim perlama na kraju
(sl.73). 69
Prstewe od zlata je uglavnom ra|eno
livewem, sa nagla{enim ramenima i kasetom
za gemu, ili je uglastih ramena sa
le`i{tem za gemu. Masivni primerak
izra|en livewem sa {irokom, trakastom
alkom i glavom ukra{enom pseudogranulacijom,
poti~e iz grobne celine koja je
lies a cameo of two-layer agate with the bust of
a man seen as a right profile. Four dolphinshaped
gold foil pendants with pearls at their
ends are suspended from a horizontal bar (figure
73). 69 Gold rings were mostly produced by casting,
with strong shoulders and gem cassette or
with angular shoulders with a gem bedding . A
massive specimen produced by casting, with a
wide band and a head decorated by pseudo-granulation,
was found in a grave dated to the middle/end
of the 3 rd century. The head of the ring
69 I. Popovi}, Rimske kameje iz Narodnog muzeja u
Po`arevcu, VIMINACIVM 6, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1991,
kat. 8.
70 D. Spasi}, Jedna grobna celina iz Viminacijuma,
Glasnik SAD 12, Beograd 1996, 103-104, sl. 2.
93

datovana sredinom, odnosno
krajem III veka. Na glavi prstena
se nalazi ufasovana zlatna
plo~ica sa reqefnom predstavom
mu{karca i `ene u stavu
dextrarum iunictio, tipi~nom za
tzv. „ vereni~ko prstewe“ III -
IV veka. Prsten je proizvod
viminacijumske radionice sa
primetnim uticajima isto~nomediteranskog
kulturnog kruga
(sl. 75). 70
Viminacijumske ogrlice
su uglavnom sastavqene od raznobojnih
perli i segmenata
om~asto savijenog lanca. Ponekad
su perle od staklene paste,
poludragog kamena, }ilibara
ili korala, kombinovane sa perlama
od zlatnog lima, prete`no cilindri~nog
ili po sredini pro{irenog oblika.
Ovakva re{ewa ogrlica se vezuju za
isto~no-maditeranske uticaje.
Zavidan umetni~ki kvalitet koji
prevazilazi standardne provincijalne
forme, viminacijumski majstori su postigli
u izradi medaqona sa bogato dekorisanim
okvirima od zlatnog lima i ufasovanim
kamejama. 71 Osim wih, vrlo popularni
u periodu II-III veka su i medaqoni
iskucani u zlatnom limu sa reqefnim
predstavama bo`anstava. Ne{to skromniju
varijantu sa izra`enim koloristi~kim
efektom, predstavqaju primerci sa tordiranim
okvirom i ufasovanim kamenom od
staklene paste, tako|e karakteristi~ni za
period II-III v. (sl.77).
U okviru radionice za izradu nakita
odvijala se i delatnost zanatlija za obradu
poludragog kamewa, tj. za izradu gema i
77. Privesci, I-III vek
Pendants, 1 st -3 rd century
contains an inset gold plate with a relief depiction
of a man and a woman in the position dextrarum
iunctio, which was typical of the socalled
“engagement rings“ of the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries.
The ring is the product of a Viminacium
workshop and bears visible Eastern-
Mediterranean influences (figure 75). 70
Viminacium necklaces were mostly made
of beads in various colours and segments of a
loop-in-loop chains. Occasionally, beads made of
glass paste, semiprecious stones, amber or coral,
were combined with beads made of gold foil,
mostly cylindrical in shape, sometimes with a
wider middle section. Such form of necklace is
associated with Eastern Mediterranean influences.
Viminacium craftsmen achieved formidable
craftsmanship standards, surpassing customary
provincial forms, in making medallions with
richly decorated frames of gold foil with inset
cameos. 71 Apart from these, very popular in the
period of the 2 nd -3 rd centuries were medallions
chiselled in gold foil with relief depictions of
deities. A somewhat more modest variety, with
70 D. Spasi}, Jedna grobna celina iz Viminacijuma,
Glasnik SAD 12, Beograd 1996, 103-104, sl. 2.
71 I. Popovi}, Rimski nakit, II, 59, kat. 136, 137, 142, 144. 71 I. Popovi}, Rimski nakit, II, 59, kat. 136, 137, 142, 144.
94

78. Geme i kameje, I-IV vek
Gems and cameos, 1 st -4 th century
kameja. U okviru ove produkcije podela
posla je bila usko specijalizovana, tako da
je svaka faza rada bila poverena specijalnom
zanatliji. Nakon pripreme poludragog
kamena, pristupalo se urezivawu, tj.
izradi geme, koja je bila poverena majstoru
za urezivawe (cavatores). Izradom reqefnih
predstava - kameja, bavile su se
zanatlije pod imenom coelatores. Zatim je
sledilo polirawe, a izrada nakita od gema
i kameja bila je poverena majstorima pod
imenom flatuarii i compositores. Obra|ivawe
sitnih komada poludragog kamewa je bio
vrlo slo`en i zahtevan posao koji je
iziskivao veliku preciznost i specijalne
instrumente. Poludrago kamewe se smatralo
dragocenim materijalom, tako da je
velika potra`wa dovela do izrade kameja i
gema od staklene paste, koje su livene u
kerami~kim kalupima. Brojni nalazi gema
marked colourist effects, were specimens with a
wrung frame and an inset glass paste stone, also
characteristic of the 2 nd -3 rd centuries (figure 77).
Craftsmen modelling semiprecious stones,
i.e. gems and cameos, also worked within the
jewellery-making workshop. In this type of production
there was narrow specialization regarding
the kind of work performed, with individual
craftsmen specializing in individual production
stages. After a semiprecious stone had undergone
the preparation stage, it was carved, i.e. a gem
was made, which was done by carvers (cavatores).
Relief motifs on cameos were made by
craftsmen called coelatores. Polishing followed
and craftsmen called flatuarii and compositores
were entrusted with the making of jewellery with
gems and cameos. Modelling tiny pieces of semiprecious
stones was a complex and demanding
task, which required great precision and special
instruments. Semiprecious stones were regarded
95

i kameja iz Viminacijuma ukazuju na sna`an
glipti~ki centar koji je formiran sredinom
II veka. 72 Osim primeraka osredweg
kvaliteta, izdvajaju se precizno gravirane
i modelovane geme i kameje, koje ukazuju na
prisutnost ve{tih majstora, dobrih poznavalaca
helenisti~ko-rimske gliptike.
Viminacijumska glipti~ka produkcija se
sirovinama, tj. mineralima, najve}im
delom snabdevala iz mezijskih le`i{ta,
koja se zajedno sa rudama metala, kontinuirano
eksploati{u, jo{ od praistorije.
Za izradu gema i kameja kod Rimqana je
na visokoj ceni bio ahat, koji se kao opalsko
- ahatno - jaspisne mase javqa u Centralnoj
Srbiji. U Isto~noj Srbiji, u
potoku Re{kovice, registrovana su le-
`i{ta granata. Granat i kvarc se javqaju u
Neresnici i kod Blagojevog kamena, a u
Vlaolu kod Majdanpeka se javqaju hematit
i granat. Le`i{ta kalcita se nalaze kod
Krepoqina. 73 Mineralna bogatstva Srbije,
a posebno viminacijumskog zale|a, direktno
su uticala na razvoj glipti~ke
zanatsko-umeti~ke produkcije.
Viminacijumski nakit kao svojevrsni
vid materijalne i duhovne kulture
odra`ava prakti~ne, estetske, religijske
ili profesionalne potrebe wegovog
stanovni{tva. To se naro~ito odnosi na
nakit od zlata koji je, ne samo modni, ve} i
stale{ki, porodi~ni, kultni ili vojni
simbol. U tom smislu, naro~ito su
zna~ajne bronzane pozla}ene fibule
krstoobraznog tipa. Izdvaja se fibula sa
debelim slojem pozlate iz jednog skeletnog
groba, na|ena sa novcem iz 320-329/30. g.
Fibula je dobro o~uvana, s glatkim, na vrhu
za{iqenim lukovicama. Na gredi se nalazi
as a precious material, so that high demand led
to the production of cameos and gems of glass
paste cast in ceramic moulds. Numerous finds of
gems and cameos from Viminacium indicate the
existence of a strong glyptic art centre formed in
the mid-2 nd century. 72 Apart from average
quality items, finely engraved and modelled
gems and cameos stand out. These seem to indicate
the presence of skilled craftsmen who were
well acquainted with Hellenistic and Roman
glyptic art. Viminacium’s glyptic production
mostly depended on Moesian deposits for raw
material, i.e. minerals. These deposits had been
continuously exploited alongside metal ore since
the prehistoric period. Agate was highly valued
by the Romans in the production of gems and
cameos. Agate deposits appear in Central Serbia
as opal-agate-jasper masses. In eastern Serbia
deposits of granate have been detected in the
Creek of Reskovica. Granate and quartz are
found in Neresnica and near Blagojev Kamen,
whereas hematite and granate are found in
Vlaole near Majdanpek. There are calcite
deposits near Krepoljin. 73 Serbia’s rich mineral
deposits, especially those in the Viminacium
region, directly resulted in the development of
glyptic arts and crafts.
As a special form of material culture,
Viminacium jewellery reflected the practical, aesthetic,
religious or professional requirements of
its population. This was especially true of gold
jewellery, which, apart from being a fashion
symbol, was also a class, family, religious or
military symbol. Especially significant in this
sense were gilded cross-shaped bronze fibulas.
Notable is a fibula with a thick layer of gilding
from a skeleton grave, found with coins from
years 320-329/30. The fibula is well-preserved,
with smooth bulbs, pointed toward the top. The
72 Popovi}, Rimske kameje u Narodnom muzeju u
Beogradu,Beograd 1989, 8-13; I. Popovi}, Rimske kameje
iz Narodnog muzeja u Po`arevcu, kat. 1-19.
73 Geologija Srbije VI, pregled minerala Srbije,
Beograd 1987, urednik: akademik Petkovi} Kosta,
51,53,66,80.
72 I. Popovi}, Rimske kameje u Narodnom muzeju u
Beogradu, Beograd 1989, 8-13; I. Popovi}, Rimske kameje
iz Narodnog muzeja u Po`arevcu, kat. 1-19.
73 Geologija Srbije VI, pregled minerala Srbije,
Beograd 1987, urednik: akademik Petkovi} Kosta,
51,53,66,80.
96

79. Fibula, IV vek
Fibula, 4 th century
97

ukras od plasti~nih traka savijen u S spiralu.
Po sredini luka i stope, traka je
ukra{ena spiralom u nielo tehnici. Na
stopi se nalaze dva para plasti~nih voluta
u obliku pelti, a na kraju stope i ispod
luka, po par poluvoluta. Lukovice su od
popre~ne grede odvojene prstenovima
ukra{enim pseudogranulacijom, a isti
prsten se nalazi na po~etku luka iznad
stope. (sl. 79).
Krstoobrazna fibula je simbol
vojne slu`be i sastavni deo vojne opreme.
Fibule od zlata, srebra i pozla}ene
bronze su dodeqivane oficirima i ~inovnicima
ni`eg ranga. Proizvodili su ih
dvorski majstori, najpre na Maksencijevom,
a zatim, Konstantinovom dvoru.
Radionice za izradu dvorske vojne i
~inovni~ke opreme preme{tale su se zajedno
sa Konstantinom, prate}i ga na putevima
po Carstvu. Kako je politi~ka situacija
na Dunavu zahtevala du`e prisustvo
cara, u periodu izme|u 318 i 322. g.
Konstantin je vi{e puta boravio u Viminacijumu,
da bi ga ratovi sa Sarmatima
ponovo doveli 334. g., zajedno sa wegovom
dvorskom radionicom. Fibula predstavqa
Konstantinov donativ oficiru, prilikom
boravka u periodu 318-322., ili, {to je
verovatnije, 334. godine. 74
beam is decorated with a band-shaped plastic
ornament winding in an S spiral. At the middle
of the arch and the catchplate, the band is decorated
with a niello spiral. The catchplate contains
two pairs of plastic pelta-shaped volutes
and at its end and below the arch are two pairs
of semi-volutes. The bulbs are separated from the
horizontal beam by rings decorated by pseudogranulation
while an identical ring stands at the
beginning of the arch, above the catchplate (figure
79).
The cross-shaped fibula was a symbol of
military service and an integral part of military
uniform. Gold, silver and gilded bronze fibulas
were awarded to officers and lower ranking
clerks. They were produced by court craftsmen,
at Maxentius’s and then at Constantine’s court.
Court, military and clerical equipment producting
workshops that produced moved along with
Constantine, following him on his journeys
throughout the Empire. As the political situation
along the Danube demanded an extensive presence
of the Emperor in the period between years
318 and 322, Constantine stayed in Viminacium
on a number of occasions, and came here again
in the year 334, during the Sarmatian wars, along
with his court workshop. The fibula was
Constantine’s gift to an officer, either during the
318-322 stay or, more likely, in 334. 74
74 M. Vasi}, Osvrt na nalaz IV veka iz Star~eva, Zbornik
Narodnog muzeja XVII-1, Beograd MMI, 178-197.
74 M. Vasi}, Osvrt na nalaz IV veka iz Star~eva, Zbornik
Narodnog muzeja XVII-1, Beograd MMI, 178-197.
98

Radionica za izradu predmeta od
kosti za sada je posvedo~ena obiqem predmeta,
kao i nalazima poluobra|enih rogova
i paro`aka sa tragovima obrade. Sude}i po
raznovrsnosti i zanatsko-umetni~kom kvalitetu,
mo`e se zakqu~iti da je to bila
velika i dobro organizovana manufaktura,
u okviru koje su se odvijale delatnosti
specijalizovanih radionica i majstora.
Solidnu bazu za weno osnivawe predstavqala
je sna`na tradicija obrade kostiju,
kao i razvijeno sto~arstvo, naro~ito
govedarstvo. Relativno brza i jeftina
izrada uslovila je serijsku proizvodwu
The existence of a workshop which produced
bone ob-jects has by now been confirmed
by the presence of an abundance of ob-jects and
through the finds of semiprocessed horns and
antlers bearing crafting marks. Judging by diversity
of objects and the quality of craftsmanship,
it can be concluded that this was a large and
well-organized manufacture featuring specialized
workshops and craftsmen. Strong traditions of
bone-processing and welldeveloped cattlebreeding
provided a solid base for the development of
this industry. Due to relatively quick and inexpensive
manufacture, objects for everyday use
were produced in series. These were mostly per-
80. Predmeti od kosti, I-IV vek
Bone artifacts, 1 st -4 th century.
99

81. Ko{tane ukosnice, kraj I - pocetak II veka
Bone pins, end of a 1 st - beginning of a 2 nd century
predmeta za svakodnevnu upotrebu. To su
naj~e{}e predmeti za li~nu higijenu i kozmetiku,
nakit i delovi no{we, farmaceutske
spatule i ka{ike, alatke i oplate,
delovi name{taja, vretena, igle i sl. Oni
su izra|ivani na tokarskom strugu, naj-
~e{}e od gove|e kosti i roga, a re|e od
kostiju sviwa, kowa, kozjeg i jeleweg roga.
Naknadno su ukra{avani urezivawem i
gla~awem. Po naruxbini, ru~no su rezbareni
predmeti umetni~kog karaktera
sonal hygiene and cosmetic obje-cts, jewellery
and clothing decorations, pharmaceutical spatulas
and spoons, tools and coating, pieces of furniture,
spindles, pins, needles etc. These were
made on lathes, mostly out of cow bone and
horn, less commonly of pig or horse bone, goat
horn or out of deer antlers. They were decorated
by carving and polishing. Expensive ivory
imported from Li-bya was used in producing
commissioned hand-carved objects of some artistic
value (wind instruments, parts of stringed
100

82. Stidqiva Venera, I vek
Venus Pudica, 1 st century
101

83. Ko{tana ukosnica, druga polovina II veka
Bone pin, second half of a 2 nd century
(duva~ki instrumenti, delovi `i~anih
instrumenata, sitna plastika, reqefi), za
koje je upotrebqavana skupocena slonova~a
uvo`ena iz Libije. Najpoznatije radionice
za izradu predmeta od kostiju nalazile su
se u velikim gradskim centrima na Mediteranu,
a ne{to kasnije u Rimu, Ostiji, Pizi
i Akvileji. U periodu od III-V veka, primat
vode}ih centara }e preuzeti radionice u
Konstantinopoqu i Aleksandriji. 75
84. Ko{tana ukosnica sa Sabazijevom rukom,
II-III vek
Bone pin with Sabazius arm, 2 nd -3 rd century
instruments, miniature plastic art, relief). The
most renowned bone objects producing workshops
were located in large cities of the
Mediterranean, somewhat later also in Rome,
Pisa, Ostia and Aquileia. In the period between
the 3 rd and 5 th centuries, workshops in
Constantinople and Alexandria took over the
75 Detaqno o predmetima od kosti i kostoreza~kom
zanatu vid. u: S. Petkovi}, Rimski predmeti od kosti i
roga sa teritorije Gorwe Mezije, Beograd 1995, 9-20.
75 For a detailed overview of bone objects and the bone-crafting
trade, consult: S. Petkovi}, Rimski predmeti od kosti i
roga sa teritorije Gorwe Mezije, Beograd 1995, 9-20.
102

85. Kozmeti~ka kutija, I-IV vek
Cosmetic box, 1 st -4 th century
Ko{tani predmeti iz Viminacijuma
se, tipolo{ki i hronolo{ki, uklapaju u
dosada{we nalaze sa teritorije Carstva.
Prvi luksuzni predmeti od kosti vlasni{tvo
su doseqenika, koji krajem I veka,
dolaze u Viminacijum. Tom periodu pripadaju
ko{tane ukosnice sa `enskim
poprsjem. Slu`ile su za pri~vr{}ivawe i
oblikovawe `enske frizure koja je,
ponekad, bila vrlo komplikovana, ~ak i za
ve{te robiwe-frizerke (ornatrices). To su
bile visoko podignute frizure, a da bi
mogle da stoje, kori{}eni su umeci la`ne
kose. Sve je naknadno ukra{avano dijademama,
iglama ili cvetovima. Stil frizura su
position of leading centres. 75
Typologically and chronologically, bone
objects from Viminacium fit in with previous
finds from the territory of the Empire. The first
luxury bone objects were the property of the
migrants who arrived in Viminacium at the end
of the first century. Bone hair pins depicting a
female bust belong to this period. They served
for holding and shaping the female hairstyle,
which was, at times, very complicated, even for
the skilful female hairstylist slaves (ornatrices).
The hair was worn high up and false hair insertions
were used in order to keep the hairstyle
upright. Later on, the hairstyle was decorated
with diadems, pins and flowers. Fashionable
103

86. Medicinsko-kozmeti~ka kutija, II-III vek
Medical-cosmetic box, 2 nd -3 rd century
diktirale carice i matrone sa carskog
dvora. Ukosnice sa reqefno oblikovanom
glavom u vidu Venere ili `enske biste
predstavqaju portrete carica, tako da
osim dekorativne, imaju i propagandnu
funkciju (sl. 81). Izvanredan primerak iz I
veka, verovatno glava ukosnice, modelovan
je u vidu Stidqive Venere (Venus Pudica) sa
delfinom. Meka modelacija tela, obna-
`enog trbuha i bedara, sa draperijom koja
pokriva dowi deo, odi{e jakom klasi~nom
tradicijom. Ra|ena je po ugledu na helenisti~ke
uzore, Praksitelovu Knidsku
Afroditu i Afroditu iz Kirene (sl. 82).
Znatno jednostavniji tip frizure sa
pun|om nisko na zatiqku, karakteristi~an
je za carice Faustinu Junior i Lucilu.
Ko{tane ukosnice sa `enskim poprsjem iz
hairstyles were dictated by the empress and her
ladies-in-waiting. Hairpins with heads shaped
like Venus or a female bust are portraits of
empresses, so that their function was not only
decorative but also propagandist (figure 81). An
exceptional item from the 1 st century, probably
the head of a hairpin, is shaped like the Timid
Venus (Venus Pudica) with a dolphin. The soft
modelling of the body, the nude abdomen and
buttocks, with draping covering the lower part,
fully adheres to the Classical tradition. It was
modelled on Hellenistic hairpins, Praxiteles’s
Aphrodite of Knides and Aphrodite of Cyrene
(figure 82). A much simpler hairstyle was characteristic
of empresses Faustina Junior and
Lucilla. Bone hairpins with female busts from
this period, varying in artistic quality, also poin
to the work of local craftsmen. Pins with the arm
104

87. Oplata ~e{qa, IV vek
Comb sheat, 4 th century
ovog perioda razli~itog zanatsko-umetni~kog
kvaliteta, ukazuju i na rad lokalnih
majstora. Magijsko kultnog karaktera
su ukosnice sa Sabazijevom rukom koja
simboli{e plodnost, uskrsnu}e i bo`anstva
inicijacijskog karaktera, ~ija se popularnost
{iri krajem II i po~etkom III v.
Ko{tane ukosnice jednostavne forme su
imale prakti~nu namenu {to potvr|uju
brojni nalazi u `rtvenim horizontima.
Kori{}ene su kao instrumenti za izvla~ewe
dogorelih fitiqa u `i{cima
koje su srodnici palili u toku da}a nad
grobovima svojih srodnika. 76
Za ~uvawe kozmeti~kih preparata,
boja i pudera slu`ile su ko{tane kutije
of Sabazius, a symbol of fertility, resurrection
and of initiation-type deities had a magical and
cult character and were increasingly popular during
the 2 nd and the beginning of the 3 rd century.
Bone hairpins with simple shapes were intended
for practical use, which is confirmed by numerous
finds in sacrificial layers. These were used
as instruments for taking out the burnt out fuses
of lamps lit at funeral feasts by relatives at the
graves of their loved ones. 76
Bone boxes, pyxides, were used for keeping
cosmetic substances, colours and powder.
Bone boxes of various shapes were also used for
storing sewing accessories, as comb cases, for
keeping jewellery and other valuables, but also
medical instruments and medicines. A hexagonal
76 Q. Zotovi}, ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 14. 76 Q. Zotovi}, ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 14.
105

88. Ko{tani krevetac (igra~ka), I-II vek
Miniature bone bed (toy), 1 st -2 nd century
cilindri~ne forme - pikside (pyxides). U
ko{tanim kutijama ~uvan je: {iva}i pribor,
~e{qevi, nakit i dragocenosti, ali i
lekarski instrumenti i lekovi. Kutija iz
Viminacijuma, {estostrano zaravwenih
strana, sa dva ve}a poluloptasta recipijenta
i poklopcem koji se uvla~io u `qebove,
svakako je kori{}ena u kozmeti~ko-medicinske
svrhe (sl. 86). Od kosti su izra-
|ivani i ~e{qevi ukra{eni jednostavnom
geometrijskom ornamentikom ili koncentri~nim
kru`i}ima. Izuzetak predstavqa
lu~na oplata trodelnog ~e{qa sa erotskom
predstavom koja ima dubqe simboli~no
zna~ewe (sl. 87). 77
flat-sided box with two large hemispherical
receptacles was certainly used for cosmetic or
medical purposes. It was found in Viminacium
(figure 86). Combs were also made of bone and
they were decorated with simple geometric ornaments
or small concentric circles. The arch plating
of a comb which consists of three parts with
an erotic motif has a deeper symbolic meaning
(figure 87). 77
Judging by numerous chips and dice, the
inhabitants of Viminacium were no different
from other people in not being able to resist the
passion for gambling. Although gambling was
prohibited, especially to soldiers, it was clandestinely
very widespread. Stones or chips served in
77 S. Petkovi}, op. cit., 27, T. X/3. 77 S. Petkovi}, op. cit., 27, T. X/3.
106

Sude}i po brojnim `etonima i kockicama,
kockarskoj strasti nisu odoleli
ni stanovnici Viminacijuma. Iako je kockawe
bilo zabrawivano, naro~ito vojnicima,
potajno je bilo vrlo rasprostraweno.
Plo~ice ili `etoni su slu`ili
za igrawe dru{tvenih igara koje su zahtevale
visprenost i inteligenciju, sli~no
dana{wem {ahu (ludus latronculorum). Pored
odraslih, igrala su je i deca zbog razvijawa
o{troumnosti. Kockice sa ozna~enim
vrednostima od jedan do {est, kori{}ene
su u igri sli~noj „ ~ove~e ne quti se“.
Obi~aj je bio da se igra sa tri kockice, i to
tako, da se me{aju u jednom peharu (fritillus),
zatim istresu, a dobijene vrednosti
saberu. 78
Dosada{wim istra`ivawima registrovana
je samo jedna igra~ka od kosti.
To je krevetac na rasklapawe koji se sastoji
od ko{tanih {ipki i profilisanih
nosa~a. Plo~e bo~nih strana su ukra{ene
stilizovanim grifonima. 79 O~igledno se
radi o kreveti}u za lutku, kakav su bogati
stanovnici Viminacijuma mogli da
priu{te svojoj deci.
playing board games which demanded shrewdness
and intelligence, similarly to present-day
chess (ludus latronculorum). Apart from grownups,
it was played by children too, in order to
help them develop their intelligence. Dice with
marked values from one to six were used in a
game similar to Trivial Pursuit. It was customary
to play with three dice tossed from a beaker (fritillus),
adding the rolled values together. 78
So far, research has registered only one
bone toy. It was a folding cradle with bone bars
and curved legs. Its sideboards were decorated
with stylized griffons. 79 It was obviously a doll
cradle, one that rich inhabitants of Viminacium
were able to buy for their children.
78 V. [aranovi}-Svetek, Tipologija ko{tanih predmeta
iz Sirmijuma, Rad vojvo|anskih muzeja 27, Novi Sad
1981,163, 164.
79 D. Spasi}, Zbirka arheolo{kog materijala sa za{titnih
istra`ivawa Viminacijuma (1977-1992), u: Narodni
muzej Po`arevac 1896-1996, Po`arevac 1996,
156, kat. 6.
78 V. [aranovi}-Svetek, Tipologija ko{tanih predmeta
iz Sirmijuma, Rad vojvo|anskih muzeja 27, Novi Sad
1981,163, 164.
79 D. Spasi}, Zbirka arheolo{kog materijala sa za{titnih
istra`ivawa Viminacijuma (1977-1992), in: Narodni
muzej Po`arevac 1896-1996, Po`arevac 1996,
156, kat. 6.
107

Na teritoriji Viminacijuma, za
sada, nije potvr|ena radionica stakla. Na
weno postojawe ukazuje veliki broj balsamarijuma
ujedna~enog kvaliteta kao i
povr{inski nalazi staklene zgure.
Prisustvo duva~a stakla je pretpostavqeno
na osnovu analize zuba sa registrovanom
profesionalnom abrazijom. 80
Najsna`nije afirmativne argumente u tom
smislu predstavqaju izuzetno pogodni
geolo{ki uslovi na u`oj i {iroj teritoriji
Viminacijuma, {to je po~etkom XX
veka, rezultiralo otvarawem fabrike
stakla u Kostolcu. 81 Geolo{ku osnovu u`e
teritorije ~ine peskoviti i {qunkoviti
sedimenti prose~ne debqine 5-20 m, dok
debqina aluvijalnih nanosa peska i
{qunka u dolinama Mlave i Dunava iznosi
od 30-40 m. [ira teritorija Viminacijuma
raspola`e izuzetnim mineralnim sirovinama
neophodnim za staklarsku industriju.
U okolini Krepoqina su registrovana
le`i{ta kvarcnog peska vrlo dobrog
kvaliteta sa sadr`ajem silicijuma preko
90%. 82 Tokom arheolo{kih istra`ivawa
na|eno je preko 2000 staklenih posuda,
uglavnom u grobovima i `rtvenim povr{inama
nad wima.
Zastupqeni su svi tipovi (stono
posu|e, posu|e za ambala`u i kozmeti~kofarmaceutske
preparate), karakteristi-
The existence of a glass making workshop
has not been confirmed by archaeological
research so far. The appearance of a large number
of unguentariums similar in quality, as well
as by surface finds of glass slag suggests there
was one. Numerous finds of teeth with professional
abrasion should seem to indicate the presence
of glass-blowers. 80 The strongest arguments
in this respect are the exceptionally favourable
geological conditions in the closer and wider surroundings
of Viminacium, which resulted in the
opening of a glass factory in Kostolac at the
beginning of the 20 th century. 81 The geological
base of the closer environs of Viminacium is
comprised of sandy and gravelly sediments 5-20
metres thick on the average, whereas in the valleys
of the Mlava and the Danube they reach 30-
40 metres. The wider territory of Viminacium is
rich in high quality minerals, essential in the production
of glass. Deposits of quartz sand of
exceptional quality containing over 90% of silicium
have been detected near Krepoljin. 82
Over 2000 glass vessels were found during
archaeological research, mostly in graves and
on the sacrificial surfaces above them.
All types of vessels characteristic of the
wider territory of the Empire are present (tableware,
packaging and cosmetic/pharmaceutical
receptacles). The vessels were made by casting,
pressing, mould-blowing and free-blowing.
From the 1 st to the 4 th century the number
of glass vessels varied and their influx was
80 D. Muci}, Slu~aj profesionalne abrazije zuba sa
nekropole anti~kog Viminacijuma, Glasnik SAD 6,
Beograd 1990, 26-28, sl. 1.
81 D. Feldi}, Fabrika stakla u Kostolcu, VIMINACIVM
4-5 , ZRNM, Po`arevac 1989-1990, 223.
82 Kostolac 1870-1970, monografija, urednik S.
Markovi}, Kostolac, 1971, 36-41.
80 D. Muci}, Slu~aj profesionalne abrazije zuba sa
nekropole anti~kog Viminacijuma, Glasnik SAD 6,
Beograd 1990, 26-28, sl. 1.
81 D. Feldi}, Fabrika stakla u Kostolcu, VIMINACIVM
4-5 , ZRNM, Po`arevac 1989-1990, 223.
82 Kostolac 1870-1970, monografija, urednik S.
Markovi}, Kostolac, 1971, 36-41.
108

89. Boca, I-II vek
Bottle, 1 st -2 nd century
~ni za {iroku teritoriju Carstva. Posude
su izra|ene livewem, presovawem, duvawem
u kalup i slobodnim duvawem.
Zastupqenost staklenih posuda od I-
IV veka varira i wihov priliv odra`ava
istorijsko-politi~ku situaciju, odnosno
stepen urbanizacije i ukqu~enosti u
anti~ku civilizaciju. Stoga je stakleni
materijal I veka malobrojan u odnosu na
kasnije periode, jer predstavqa luksuz i
vlasni{tvo prvih doseqenika, pripadnika
vojnog i administrativnog aparata. Staka
reflection of the historical and political situation,
i.e. of levels of urbanization and keeping
abreast of Classical civilization. This is why 1 st
century glass material is scarce compared to the
later periods, as it was a luxury and belonged to
the first colonists, the members of the military
and administrative apparatus. Glass objects
arrived in Vi-minacium by river from Aquileia,
the biggest trading post for Syrian and
Alexandrian glass. A jug made by pressing in a
mould, using a technique that imitated natural
stone, the socalled agate glass (figure 89),
109

90. Staklene posude, I-II vek
Glass receptacles, 1 st -2 nd century
91. Staklene ~a{e, II-III vek
Glass vessels, 2 nd -3 rd century
110

92. Balsamarijumi, II-III vek
Unguentes, 2 nd -3 th century
lena roba je re~nim komunikacijama, iz
Akvileje, koja je bila najve}i posrednik za
sirijsko i aleksandrijsko staklo, dopremana
do Viminacijuma. Tom radioni~kom
krugu pripada kr~ag ra|en presovawem u
kalupu, u tehnici koja podra`ava prirodni
kamen, tzv. ahat-staklo (sl. 89). Nakon organizacije
uprave i tr`i{ta, krajem I i
po~etkom II veka, zapo~iwe import iz italsko-galskih
i isto~nomediteranskih radionica.
To su posude toplih i sna`nih
boja kao {to su: urna od jarko-plavog stakla,
boca kobaltno-plave boje i kr~ag od
{afran `utog stakla (sl. 90). Od sredine II
do sredine III veka brojnost staklenog
posu|a se naglo pove}ava, a tehnika slobodnog
duvawa omogu}ava pojavu potpuno
novih formi. Naro~itu popularnost sti~e
belongs to this manufacturing circle. After government
and a market had been established at the
end of the 1 st and at the beginning of the 2 nd
century, importation from Italo-Gallic and
Eastern Mediterranean workshops began. These
were vessels warm and bright in colour such as
an urn of bright blue glass, a cobalt-blue bottle
and a saffron-yellow glass jug (figure 90). From
the mid 2 nd to the mid 3 rd century the number of
glass vessels increased sharply and the technique
of free-blowing made it possible for completely
new forms to be introduced. Colourless or discoloured
glass became especially popular. Apart
from Italo-Gallic glassware, the produce of
Cologne-Rhine workshops was also imported,
simultaneously with the influx of goods from
Mediterranean centres, especially from Cyprus.
The most numerous were toilet flasks (unguen-
111

93. Staklene posude, IV vek
Glass vessels, 4 th century
95. Staklene narukvice, IV vek
Glass bracelet, 4 th century
94. Staklene posude, IV vek
Glass vessels, 4 th century
112

ezbojno-dekolorisano staklo. Osim italsko-galskog,
uvozi se roba iz kelnsko-rajnskih
radionica, paralaelno sa prilivom
robe iz mediteranskih centara, naro~ito
Kipra. Najbrojnije su toaletne bo~ice -
balsamarijumi, koje su slu`ile za ~uvawe
kozmeti~kih i farmaceutskih preparata.
Staklene posude u obliku stilizovanog
pti~jeg tela - gutusi, sre}u se tokom du`eg
perioda od I-IV veka. Pretpostavqa se da su
slu`ile za precizno dozirawe te~nosti u
farmaciji ili kozmetici. Wihova pojava u
de~jim grobovima Viminacijuma, reaktuelizuje
staro mi{qewe da su kori{}ene
za davawe mleka deci.
U periodu III-IV veka dosegnuta je
tehnolo{ka zrelost, tako da dolazi do kulminacije
staklarske ve{tine. Pored ve}
poznatih oblika, pojavquju se i novi, a
dominira import iz kelnsko-rajnskih i
crnomorskih radionica, paralelno sa
lokalnom produkcijom koja tako|e dosti`e
svoj vrhunac. Dominantne boje su zelenoplavi~asta,
maslinasto ili mahovina-zelena.
^este su boce sa heksagonalnim recipijentom
ukra{enim kosim kanelurama i
koni~ni pehari, naj~e{}e ukra{eni bobicama
od plavog stakla. Pojedine posude su
veoma vitkih i elegantnih oblika (sl. 94),
a prisutno je podra`avawe starijih kerami~kih
i metalnih formi (kantaros od
svetlo maslinastog stakla). 83
Osim posuda, od stakla su masovno
izra|ivani prozorsko staklo i nakit,
naro~ito u III-IV veku. Zrelost lokalne
staklarske radionice potvr|uju brojne
geme i kameje od staklene paste. Livene su
u kalupu ~esto po uzoru na novac, tako da su,
iskqu~ivo, slu`ile u politi~ko-propagandne
svrhe.
tariums) used for storing cosmetic and pharmaceutical
substances. Birds of glass - (gutti) - were
present over a longer period from the 1 st -4 th century.
They are believed to have served for precise
dosage of liquids in pharmacy and cosmetics.
Their appearance in children’s graves in
Viminacium lends new currency to the old theory
that they might have been used for feeding
milk to infants .
In the period from the 3 rd -4 th century, a
stage of technological maturity was reached, so
that there was a culmination in glassmaking skill
too. New forms appeared alongside the already
known ones and importation from Cologne-Rhine
and Black sea workshops predominated, parallel
to local production, which was also reaching its
peak. The prevailing colours were bluish-green,
olive-green and moss green. Bottles with hexagonal
bodies decorated with diagonal ribs and
conical beakers, mostly decorated with drops of
blue glass were the most frequent. Certain vessels
had very slender and elegant contours (figure
94) and were modelled on older ceramic and
metal forms, such as a light olive-green glass
kantharos. 83
Apart from making receptacles, glass was
also widely used in making windowpanes and
jewellery, especially in the 3 rd -4 th centuries. The
maturity of the local glassmaking workshops is
confirmed by a large number of glass paste gems
and cameos. They were cast in moulds and were
often modelled on coins, so that their exclusive
purpose was political propaganda.
83 Detaqnije o staklu vid. u: A. Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi},
Rimsko staklo, Beograd, 1987; deo materijala sa nekropole
„ Vi{e Grobaqa“ obradila ja M. A. Ru`i},
Rimsko staklo u Srbiji Beograd 1994, 59-68.
83 A more detailed overview of glass can be found in: A. Cermanovi}-
Kuzmanovi}, Rimsko staklo, Beograd, 1987; part of the material
from the necropolis „Vi{e Grobaqa“ was examined by M. A.
Ru`i}, Rimsko staklo u Srbiji Beograd 1994, 59-68.
113

Paralelno sa intenzivirawem
romanizacije i urbanizacije, na teritoriji
Viminacijuma se pojavquju prva skulptorska
dela mawih dimenzija i uglavnom religioznog
karaktera. Hronolo{ka identifikacija
pokazuje da se krajem I veka
pojavquje sitna bronzana plastika, a pojava
kamene skulpture usledi}e ne{to kasnije,
u prvim decenijama II v. Radi se o importu
iz ve}ih umetni~kih centara Carstva
(Italije, Panonije, Trakije), visokog
umetni~kog kvaliteta koji se stilski vezuje
za gr~ku skulpturu IV v.p.n.e. Izuzetno
lep rimski rad iz tog perioda predstavqa
glava Apolona (ili Venere), koja je ra|ena
po helenisti~kom uzoru (slika 96). 84
Kultna skulptura }e neoklasicisti~ke
odlike zadr`ati i tokom II i III v.
Nakon osnivawa municipijuma (117.
g.), u posledwoj fazi romanizacije, dolazi
do prevladavawa rimskog kulturnog modela
u svim oblastima umetni~kog stvarala{tva.
Eksterijeri urbanih prostora
(trgova, termi, javnih i privatnih zdawa,
hramova i dr.) se oplemewuju monumentalnom
skulpturom koja, osim estetske, ima i
politi~ko-propagandnu funkciju u ciqu
afirmacije velike i mo}ne Imperije. Na
javnim mestima se postavqaju statue imperatora,
uglednih li~nosti i bogova, a privatna
i oficijelna zdawa se ukra{avaju
kultnom i profanom plastikom sredweg
formata kao i brojnim reqefima.
Simultaneously to intensified Romanization
and urbanization, the first smaller sculptural
pieces, mostly religious in character, started
appearing in the territory of Viminacium.
Chronological identification shows that small
bronze plastic art appeared at the end of the 1 st
century, while stone sculpture was soon to follow,
appearing during the first decades of the 2 nd
century. It was mostly imported from the larger
arts centres of the Empire (Italy, Pannonia,
Thrace), and was of a high artistic quality, which
was stylistically related to Greek sculpture of the
4 th century B.C. The head of Apollo (or Venus),
which draws upon a Hellenistic model, is a particularly
fine-looking example of Roman sculpture
of the period (figure 96). 84 Religious sculpture
kept its Neoclassical traits during the 2 nd and
3 rd centuries as well .
After the municipium was founded (in the
year 117), during the last stage of Romanization,
the Roman cultural model started prevailing in
all areas of artistic creation. The appearance of
urban spaces (squares, public baths, public and
private buildings, temples etc.) was enriched with
monumental sculpture, which, apart from having
an aesthetic function, also had a political and
propaganda function, aiming at affirming the idea
of a great and powerful Empire. Statues of
emperors, distinguished citizens and deities were
displayed in public places, whereas private and
public edifices were decorated with middle-sized
religious and secular plastic art, as well as with
numerous reliefs. Private portraits from
84 D. Srejovi}, A. Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, Rimska
skulptura u Srbiji, 64, kat. 27; M.Tomovi}, Tri mermerne
glave iz zbirke Narodnog muzeja u Po`arevcu,
VIMINACIVM 1, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1986, 35,36, sl. 3 a-d.
84 D. Srejovi}, A. Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, Rimska
skulptura u Srbiji, 64, kat. 27; M.Tomovi}, Tri mermerne
glave iz zbirke Narodnog muzeja u Po`arevcu,
VIMINACIVM 1, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1986, 35,36, sl. 3 a-d.
114

96. Apolon (Venera ?), prva polovina II veka
Apolo (Venus ?), first half of a 2 nd century
115

97. Jupiter Dolihen, II-III vek
Jupiter Dolichenus, 2 nd -3 rd century
Privatni portreti iz Viminacijuma,
sude}i po dosada{wim nalazima, nisu stariji
od kraja II v. Izvanredan primerak,
koji se stilski i formalno vezuje za
carice Plautilu (196-217. g.) ili Juliju
Paulu (218-222. g.), na|en je u selu Petki i
verovatno se radi o statui ( ili poprsju)
koja se nalazila u sklopu enterijera neke
privatne rezidencije. 85 Iz posledwe faze
perioda vojne anarhije, poti~e mermerni
portret Kara (sl. 8), ra|en u natprirodnoj
veli~ini, sa elementima realisti~kog
stila postseverijanske epohe, uz na-
Viminacium are not older than the late 2 nd century,
judging by previous findings. An exceptional
piece, stylistically and formally associated
with Empress Plautilla (years 196-217) or Julia
Paula (years 218-222) was found in the village
of Petka and it was probably a statue (or bust)
which was part of the interior of a private residence.
85 A marble portrait of Carus (figure 8),
sculpted in a larger-than-life size with elements
of the realistic style of the post-Severian epoch,
with traces of the kind of linearity and stylization
which were to prevail in the 4 th century,
dates from the last phase of the period of mili-
85 M. Tomovi}, Tri mermerne glave iz zbirke Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu, 31, 32 sl. 1 a-d; D. Srejovi}, A.
Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, op. cit., 32, kat. 8.
85 M. Tomovi}, Tri mermerne glave iz zbirke Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu, 31, 32 sl. 1 a-d; D. Srejovi}, A.
Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, op. cit., 32, kat. 8.
86 M. Tomovi}, Tri mermerne glave iz zbirke Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu, 32. 33. sl. 2 a-c; D. Srejovi}, A.
Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, op. cit., 40, kat 12.
116

98. Herkul sa Telefom, III-IV vek, Narodni muzej Beograd
Heracles with Telephus, 3 rd -4 th century, National museum Beograd
117

tary anarchy. 86
gove{taje linearnosti i stilizacije koja
inicijative viminacijumskih majstora. 89 and geometrical, genre scenes, mythological
}e preovladati u IV v. 86
During the 4 th century great artists,
U IV veku u Viminacijumu borave
veliki umetnici, slikari i skulptori koji
su za sobom ostavili zna~ajna slikarska i
skulptorska dela, prilago|ena istan~anom
ukusu obrazovanog sloja viminacijumske
painters and sculptors, resided in Viminacium
which left behind significant paintings and sculptures
in line with the sophisticated taste of educated
Viminacium aristocracy. The sculpture of
Hercules with Telephus from the first decades of
aristokratije. Skulptura Herkul sa the 4 th century, made in quality marble, boasts
Telefom, iz prvih decenija IV v., ra|ena od
kvalitetnog mermera, poseduje visoku eleganciju,
a na osnovu stilskih karakteristika
tipi~nih za gr~ku skulpturu IV v.p.n.e.,
najbli`a je Lisipovom originalu. 87
Sude}i po dosada{wim nalazima
skulptura u Viminacijumu, formirawe
skulptorskog ateqea se mo`e opredeliti u
posledwe decenije II v. Kamenoreza~ko-klesarska
radionica koja je izra|ivala
exquisite elegance and, in terms of stylistic characteristics
typical of Greek sculpture of the 4 th
century B.C., it is closest to the original by
Lyssipus. 87
Judging by previous sculpture finds in
Viminacium finds, it can be estimated that a
sculptural atelier existed in Viminacium during
the last decades of the 2 nd century. A stonemason’s
workshop, which produced sacrificial
stones, gravestones and sarcophagi had been
`rtvenike, nadgrobne spomenike i formed earlier at the beginning of the second
sarkofage, je formirana ranije, po~etkom
II veka. Wena relativno rana produkcija je
logi~na posledica novih obi~aja sahrawivawa
century. Its relatively early production was a logical
consequence of the new burial traditions dictated
by the newly settled population.
koje je diktiralo doseqeno Viminacium was one of the most impor-
stanovni{tvo.
tant stonemasonry and sculptural centres in
Viminacijum je predstavqao jedan od
najve}ih kamenoreza~ko-skulptorskih centara
u Gorwoj Meziji. Iz Viminacijuma
poti~e gotovo 50% svih skulptura Gorwe
Mezije, kao i veliki broj reqefa i kultnih
ikona. 88 Osim toga, oko 50 otkrivenih
sarkofaga, brojni nadgrobni i epigrafski
Upper Moesia. Almost 50% of all Upper
Moesian sculptures originated in Viminacium, as
well as a large number of reliefs and cult icons. 88
Apart from this, around 50 discovered sarcophagi,
numerous gravestones and epigraphic monuments
are a conclusive proof of the rich production
of its workshops and of the artistic initiative
spomenici nesumwiv su dokaz bogate produkcije
of Viminacium’s craftsmen. 89 Marble and stone
wegovih radionica i umetni~ke steles feature numerous decorative motifs: floral
scenes and animal friezes. The tomb stele of
augustal T. Baebius and his wife Marcella,
86 M. Tomovi}, Tri mermerne glave iz zbirke Narodnog
muzeja u Po`arevcu, 32. 33. sl. 2 a-c; D. Srejovi}, A.
Cermanovi}-Kuzmanovi}, op. cit., 40, kat 12.
87 Grupa Herkul sa Telefom se ~uva u Narodnom muzeju u
Beogradu; D. Srejovi}, A. Cermanovi}- Kuzmanovi},
op. cit., 116, kat. 49.
88 Viminacijumsku skulpturu je obradio M. Tomovi},
Roman Sculpture in Upper Moesia, Beograd 1992; Najve}i
deo kamenih votivnih ikona iz Viminacijuma publikovao
je M. Tomovi}, Prilog prou~avawu kamenih
votivnih ikona sa teritorije Viminacijuma, VIMI-
NACIVM 4-5, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1989-90, 89-132.
89 Sve epigrafske spomenike publikovala je prof.
Miroslava Mirkovi}. Vid. napomenu broj 1.
87 The group Hercules with Telephe is kept at the National Museum
in Belgrade: D. Srejovi}, A. Cermanovi}- Kuzmanovi},
op. cit. 116, kat. 49.
88 Viminacium sculpture was examined by M. Tomovi}, Roman
Sculpture in Upper Moesia, Beograd 1992; M. Tomovi} published
the largest part of stone votive icons, Prilog prou~avawu
kamenih votivnih ikona sa teritorije Viminacijuma,
VIMINACIVM 4-5, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1989-90, 89-132.
89 All epigraphic monuments were published by professor Miroslava
Mirkovic. Consult footnote number 1.
118

99. Nadgrobni spomenik T. Bebija,
druga polovina II veka
Headstone of T. Bebius, second half of a 2 nd century
Na mermernim i kamenim stelama se
pojavquju raznovrsni dekorativni motivi:
vegetabilni i geometrijski, `anr prizori,
scene iz mitologije i animalni frizovi.
Izuzetan klesarsko-umetni~ki rad predstavqa
nadgrobna stela avgustala, T.
Baebius-a i wegove `ene, Marcellae, koja se
prema ikonografskim karakteristikama
which, based on its iconographic characteristics,
is estimated to have belonged to the period of
Marcus Aurelius (161-180) and Lucius Verus
(161-169), is an exquisite work of stonemason’s
art. The stele is architectural in type, with carefully
shaped fields, each of which carries different
ideal and religious content, with the symbolic
content of the last field being dominant.
119

100. Prokoneski sarkofag sa girlandama, kraj II - po~etak III veka
Sarcophagus with wreaths from Proconesus, end of a 2 nd - beginning of a 3 rd century
opredequje u period Marka Aurelija (161-
180. g.) i Lucija Vera (161-169.g.). Stela je
arhitektonskog tipa sa bri`qivo obra-
|enim poqima od kojih je svako nosilac
razli~itog idejno-religioznog sadr`aja, sa
dominiraju}om simboli~kom sadr`inom
posledweg poqa. Predstava vu~ice sa
blizancima ra|ena u klasicisti~kom
stilu, potencira ideju besmrtnosti Rima i
carskog kulta i u potpunoj je simboli~koj
harmoniji sa predstavom pokojnika koji je
bio sve{tenik, upravo carskog kulta
( sl. 99).
The motif of a female wolf with twins, modelled
in the Classicist style, propagates the idea of the
immortality of Rome and of the imperial cult and
is in complete symbolic harmony with the depiction
of the deceased, who was a priest of the
imperial cult (figure 99).
Imposing sarcophagi were made of marble
and of local stone (sandstone and limestone).
The engraved inscriptions on these witness that
wealthy Roman citizens, mostly colonists, lived
in Viminacium from the 2 nd until the end of the
4 th century, and that sarcophagus burying was
their usual burial ritual. Viminacium sarcophagi
120

101.
Impozantni sarkofazi od mermera i
lokalnog kamena (pe{~ara, kre~waka) i
uklesani natpisi, svedo~e da su od II do
kraja IV veka u Viminacijumu `iveli
bogati rimski gra|ani, prete`no doseqenici,
kojima je sahrawivawe u sarkofazima
bio uobi~ajeni pogrebni ritual.
Viminacijumski sarkofazi se, generalno,
mogu grupisati u tri osnovna tipa: tzv.
maloazijski sarkofag, bez dekorativnih
ukrasa, sa poklopcem koji na uglovima ima
polukru`ne akroterije; drugi tip sadr`i
reqefnu obradu sanduka i poklopca.
Sanduk je sa predwe strane podeqen na tri
poqa, od kojih je sredi{we, nameweno za
natpis, uokvireno odre|enim ornamentalnim
motivom, a sa leve i desne strane se
nalaze ni{e u kojim mogu biti predstavqeni
geniji, mitolo{ki likovi ili
portreti pokojnika. Pojedini primerci na
poklopcu imaju imitaciju krova sa tegulama.
Oba tipa su proizvod viminacijumske
radionice, koja je koristila lokalni
kamen iz nekog od obli`wih kamenoloma,
can generally be grouped into three basic types:
the so-called Asia Minor sarcophagus, without
decorations, with semicircular acroteria at the
corners of the lid; the other type has relief on
both the sarcophagus and lid. On the front side,
the sarcophagus is divided into three fields, of
which the middle one, intended for an inscription,
is bordered by an ornamental motif, with
niches to the left and to the right, in which genii,
mythological characters or portraits of the
deceased could be depicted. Certain specimens
feature the imitation of a roof with tiles on the
lid. Both types were made in the Viminacium
workshop, which used local stone from one of
the nearby quarries, probably from the Kucevo or
Homolje regions. In workshops located in these
quarries, the sarcophagi were given their basic
shape only and were thereupon finished and decorated
in Viminacium. The third type, the socalled
sarcophagus of Proconnesus with garlands
121

101 a.
101, 101 a. Nadgrobni spomenici, II-IV vek
Headstones, 2 nd -4 rd century
verovatno, iz oblasti Ku~eva i Homoqa. U
radionicama, pri tim kamenolomima,
sarkofazima je davana samo osnovna forma,
a tek u Viminacijumu su definitivno
obra|ivani i dekorisani. Tre}i tip, tzv.
prokoneski sarkofag sa girlandama,
izra|en je od mermera sa ostrva Prokones
(ostrvo Marmara), odakle je u formi polufabrikata,
naknadno zavr{en, mo`da u
radionicama Trakije. Na tu mogu}nost
ukazuje predstava Tra~kog kowanika na
bo~noj strani, koja jasno isti~e, za Tra~ane
karakteristi~nu i va`nu, ideju o heroiziranom
pokojniku (sl. 100). 90
was made of marble from the island of
Proconnesus (Marmara), from where it was
exported in the form of semifinished product, to
be finished afterwards, possibly in Thracian
workshops. What seems to suggest this possibility
is the motif of a Thracian horseman on the
lateral surface, which is a clear expression of the
idea of the heroism of the deceased person, characteristic
of and important to the Thracians (figure
100). 90
The stonemasonry and sculptural works
of Viminacium are not uniform. They are characterized
by the various types of stone they were
made of as well as by their craftsmanship and
90 Jedan deo sarkofaga publikovala je M. \or|evi}:
Rimski kameni sarkofazi iz Viminacijuma, VIMI-
NACIVM 4-5, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1989-90, 133-147; Vid.
napomenu br. 26.
90 M. \or|evi} has written on part of the sarcophagi: Rimski
kameni sarkofazi iz Viminacijuma, VIMINACIVM 4-5,
ZRNM, Po`arevac 1989-90, 133-147; Consult footnote number
26.
122

Kamenoreza~ko-skulptorska dela iz
Viminacijuma nisu jedinstvena. Karakteri{e
ih raznolikost kamena od koga su
izra|ena, kao i zanatsko-umetni~ke i
stilske karakteristike koje ukazuju na
razli~ite tradicije, odnosno radionice.
Heterogenost viminacijumske demografske
strukture uslovila je pojavu skulpture
i kamenoreza~kih dela, gr~ko-rimskih,
orijentalnih ili tra~kih bo`anstva i
heroja. Na wima se prepli}u italski,
helenisti~ko-gr~ki i maloazijski uticaji,
koji dokazuju toleranciju i veliku slobodu
stilova i ideja, naro~ito u periodu
II-III v. 91
stylistic characteristics, which suggest different
traditions, that is to say workshops.
Viminacium’s demographic heterogeneity caused
the presence of sculpture and stonemasonry
works depicting Greco-Roman, Oriental or
Thracian deities and heroes. They combine Italic,
Greco-Hellenistic and influences from Asia
Minor, which is proof of tolerance and a great
91 M. Tomovi}, Roman Sculpture in Upper Moesia, 9-14. 91 M. Tomovi}, Roman Sculpture in Upper Moesia, 9-14.
123

Jedan od najrazvijenih zanata u
Viminaciju je kerami~arski. Wegov intenzivan
razvoj i kontinuiranu proizvodwu
omogu}ili su izuzetno povoqni prirodni i
ekonomski uslovi: kvalitetna glini{ta,
bogatstvo {umom, blizina vode, plovni
re~ni tokovi i sna`na tradicija kerami~arskog
zanata. U po~etnom periodu
rimske stabilizacije i organizacije, kerami~arska
proizvodwa se odvija u okviru
postoje}ih kasnolatenskih kerami~arskih
radionica. Wihova postepena organizaciona
i tehnolo{ka transformacija usledi}e
nakon dolaska rimskih kerami~ara i
organizovanog importa koji je predstavqao
primarni kreativni impuls za doma}u profreedom
of style and ideas, especially in the period
of the 3 rd -4 th century. 91
102. Kerami~ke pe}i, II-III vek
Ceramic kilns, 2 nd -3 rd century
124

103. Kerami~ke posude, I-III vek
Ceramic vessels, 1 st -3 rd century
dukciju. Ona se oboga}uje rimskim formama
i dekorativnim motivima, uz osetan
uticaj domorodne tradicije, ~ija je vitalnost
sna`na tokom I i II veka.
Osnivawe radionice, lokalne tera
sigilate Viminacium - Margum, relativno
rano, u drugoj ~etvrtini II veka, mo`e se
Pottery were one of the best developed
crafts in Viminacium. Its intensive development
and continuous production were possible because
of extremely favourable natural and economic
conditions: the quality of clay deposits, large
forests, the proximity of water, navigable rivers
125

smatrati posledicom naseqavawa rimskih
majstora, ali u velikoj meri i rezultatom
du`eg kerami~arskog iskustva.
Za{titnim arheolo{kim istra-
`ivawima na prostoru ju`nih nekropola
otkriveno je 14 kerami~arskih pe}i. U
okviru grn~arsko-ciglarskog centra sa
pokrivenim tremom za su{ewe proizvoda,
istra`ene su 4 kerami~arske pe}i. Kerami~ka
produkcija se dugo odvijala, tokom
II i III veka, {to potvr|uju nadzi|ivawa
pe}i. 92 Osim generalne podele na luksuznu i
svakodnevnu (kuhiwsku) keramiku, kerami~ki
materijal se, prema radioni~kim i
stilskim karakteristikama, mo`e podeliti
na: keramiku sa izra`enim autohtonim
karakteristikama, import, lokalnu tera
sigilatu i rimsku provincijsku keramiku.
Uticaj starije, naro~ito latenske
kerami~arske produkcije, prati se kako
kod posuda ra|enih rukom tako i kod posuda
ra|enih na vitlu. Rukom ra|ene posude
(lonci sa plasti~nim ornamentom kao i
da~ke {oqe), sre}u se zajedno sa importovanom
i provincijskom keramikom II veka. 93
Najstariji import se vezuje za severnoitalske
radionice tera sigilate i
datuje se krajem I v. To su naj~e{}e zdele sa
apliciranim ukrasom i pe~atom na dnu u
vidu planta pedis (sl. 103). 94 Na teritoriji
Viminacijuma, importa iz ju`nogalskih
radionica gotovo da nema, dok je ne{to
brojniji materijal iz sredwogalskih
radionica. Najintenzivniji import se
bele`i u posledwoj ~etvrtini II do kraja
prve ~etvrtine III veka, prilivom robe iz
isto~nogalskih radionica (Rajncabern i
92 ^. Jordovi}, Grn~arski i ciglarski centar u
Viminacijumu, SAOP[TEWA XXVI, Beograd 1994,
95-96, sl. 1-7.
93 D. Spasi}, Prilog prou~avawu tradicije Skordiska u
Viminacijumu, 40-43.
94 Kompletan tera sigilata materijal u svojoj doktorskoj
disertaciji obradila je Q. Bjelajac. Neznatno
izmewenu verziju disertacije predstavqa monografija:
Terra sigillata u Gorwoj Meziji, Beograd 1990, 136.
and a strong pottery tradition. During the initial
period of Roman stabilization and organization,
pottery production went on within the existing
Late La Téne pottery workshops. Their gradual
organizational and technological transformation
happened after the arrival of Roman potters and
after organized importation began, which acted
as the primary creative impulse for domestic production.
It was enriched with Roman forms and
decorative motifs with significant indigenous
influences, very vital during the 1 st and 2 nd centuries.
The founding of a local terra sigillata
workshop of Viminacium-Margum relatively
early on, in the second quarter of the 2 nd century,
can be considered as a consequence of the
settlement of Roman potters, but also largely as
a result of long-lasting ceramic experience.
Pottery was one of the best developed
crafts in Viminacium. Its intensive development
and continuous production was possible because
of extremely favourable natural and economic
conditions: the quality of clay deposits, large
forests, the proximity of water, navigable rivers
and a strong pottery tradition. During the initial
period of Roman stabilization and organization,
pottery production went on within the existing
Late Latene pottery workshops. Their gradual
organizational and technological transformation
happened after the arrival of Roman potters and
after organized importation began, which acted
as the primary creative impulse for domestic production.
It is enriched with Roman forms and
decorative motifs with significant indigenous
influences, very vital during the 1st and 2 nd centuries.
The founding of a local terra sigillata
workshop of Viminacium-Margum relatively
early on, in the second quarter of the 2 nd century,
can be considered as a consequence of the
settlement of Roman potters, but also largely as
a result of long-lasting ceramic experience.
Fourteen pottery kilns were discovered
during protective archaeological excavations in
92 ^. Jordovi}, Grn~arski i ciglarski centar u
Viminacijumu, SAOP[TEWA XXVI, Beograd 1994,
95-96, sl. 1-7.
126

104. Kerami~ke posude, kraj II - po~etak III veka
Ceramic vessels, end of a 2 nd - beginning of a 3 rd century
Vesterndorf), koja je Dunavom dopremana
do viminacijumskih pijaca (sl. 104). S
obzirom na dobre saobra}ajne veze i organizovano
tr`i{te, Viminacijum je bio
najve}i distribucioni centar isto~nogalskih
proizvoda za logore i naseqa du`
Dunava i u unutra{wosti Mezije.
Tera sigilata posude, sa crvenom
prevlakom i reqefnim, odnosno pe~a}enim
ukrasom, }e svojim tipovima i varijantama
zdela, tawira i pehara uticati na
lokalnu proizvodwu koja imitira tera sigilata
posude.
Proizvodwa lokalne tera sigilate,
radionice Viminacijum-Margum, potvr|ena
je nalazima preko 1000 posuda kao i
velikim brojem kalupa. Veliki radioni~ki
centar je bio lociran u blizini reke
the territory of the southern necropolises. Four
kilns were examined on the site of a pottery and
brick making centre with a covered produce-drying
porch. Pottery production continued over a
long period, during the 2 nd and third centuries,
which is confirmed by the fact that kilns were
reconstructed and expanded. 92
Aside from the general division of ceramics
into luxury earthenware and earthenware for
daily usage (kitchen earthenware); according to
their craftsmanship and stylistic characteristics,
ceramic objects can be divided into: pro-
93 D. Spasi}, Prilog prou~avawu tradicije Skordiska u
Viminacijumu, 40-43.
94 The complete terra sigillata material was examined by Lj. Bjelajac
in her doctoral dissertation. The monograph: Terra sigillata u
Gornjoj Meziji, Beograd 1990, 136 is a slightly altered version of
this dissertation.
127

105. Kalup za keramiku, II vek
Ceramic mould, 2 nd century
Mlave, na lokalitetu „ Rudine“, na periferiji
municipalnog naseqa. Wegova
produkcija se prati od vremena Hadrijana
(117 g.), do kraja II veka, sa vrhuncem
proizvodwe i eksporta oko sredine II veka.
Proizvodi radionice Viminacijum-
Margum su eksportovani u Panoniju, Dowu
Meziju i Dakiju. Iako lokalna tera sigilata
u tehnolo{kom smislu zaostaje za
importovanom, viminacijumske majstore
odlikuje ve{tina i inventivnost u
ukra{avawu. Repertoar ukrasnih figura i
motiva ~ini ukupno 290 razli~itih simbola,
koji se javqaju u velikom broju kombinacija.
Iako znatno re|i, nalazi gle-
|osanih posuda, jedinstvenom stilskom
organizacijom ornamenta, ukazuju na produkciju
viminacijumske radionice.
Najoriginalniji proizvod ove radionice
predstavqa reqefno ukra{ena gle|osana
posuda, Klepsidra-vodeni sat ili „ lopov
vode“, koja je datovana u prvu polovinu II
veka. Na dnu posude nalazi se vi{e malih
nouncedly autochthonous ceramics, imported
ceramics, local terra sigillata and Roman provincial
ceramics.
The influence of older, particularly La
Téne, ceramic production is visible both in hand
and wheel-raised vessels. Hand-raised vessels
(pots with plastic ornaments as well as Dacian
cups) are seen alongside imported and provincial
ceramics of the 2 nd century. 93
The oldest imports are believed to have
come from North Italic terra sigillata workshops
and are dated to the end of the 1st century.
These were mostly bowls with added decorations
and a planta pedis - shaped mark at the bottom
(figure 103). 94 There were almost no imports
from South Gallic workshops in the territory of
Viminacium, while material from Middle Gallic
workshops is somewhat more frequent.
Importation was at its most intensive from the
last quarter of the 2 nd century until the end of
the first quarter of the 3 rd century, during the
influx of produce from East Gallic workshops
(Rheinzabern and Western-dorf), which was
shipped into Viminacium markets by the Danube
(figure 104). In view of the good communications
and its organized market, Viminacium was
the biggest distributional centre of East Gallic
produce for camps and settlements along the
Danube and in Moesian interior.
The variety and types of terra sigillata
vessels (bowls, plates and beakers) with red coating
and relief (i.e. impressed) decoration influenced
the local production, which the imitated
it.
The finds of over 1000 vessels and a
large number of moulds confirm the production
of the local terra sigillata workshop Viminacium-
Margum. A large crafts centre was located in the
vicinity of the river Mlava, at the site of
“Rudine“, on the outskirts of the municipal settlement.
Its production can be followed from the
time of Hadrian (the year 117) until the end of
the 2 nd century, with production and exportation
reaching their peak in the mid-2 nd century. The
produce of the Viminacium-Margum workshop
128

106. Kerami~ke posude, II-IV vek
Ceramic vessels, 2 nd -4 th century
otvora raspore|enih kao kod tu{a, a na
vrhu cevaste dr{ke, tako|e, otvor. Posuda
je primala sadr`aj, tako {to se jednostavno
potopi u te~nost, ~ije je isticawe
regulisano zatvarawem i otvarawem
rupice na dr{ki. Klepsidra je mera vremena,
koja je u stawu da reprodukuje uvek isti
period. Periodi koje reprodukuje su
slede}i: 180 sek., ako se zapu{i {est otvora
na dnu, a voda isti~e samo kroz jedan, i
30 sek., ako voda oti~e kroz svih sedam
otvora. Naziv „ klepsidra“, kao i wen
oblik, poti~u jo{ iz klasi~nog gr~kog
perioda kada su slu`ile za merewe kratkih
vremenskih intervala. Kod Rimqana je
upotrebqavana u sudnicama, radi ograni~avawa
vremena izlagawa govornika, u
was exported to Pannonia, Lower Moesia and
Dacia. Although local terra sigillata lagged
behind imported terra sigillata, Viminacium
craftsmen were known for skilfulness and inventiveness
in decoration. The repertory of decorative
motifs is comprised of a total of 290 different
symbols, which appear in a large number of
combinations.
Although significantly scarcer, through
the unique stylistic organization of their ornaments,
the finds of glazed vessels imply
Viminacium workshop production. The most
original product of this workshop is a glazed
95 Lj. Bjelajac, Terra sigillata, 143-147, 173-175, Svet merewa,
odgovorni urednik D. Srejovi}, Beograd 1995, 83, kat.
017.
129

130
107. Klepsidra - vodeni sat, prva polovina II veka
Clepsydra water-clock, first half of a 2 nd century

108. Kerami~ka patera, kraj II - prva polovina III veka
Ceramic pathera, end of 2 nd - first half of a 3 rd century
131

109. Kerami~ka kasica, II-IV vek
Ceramic casket, 2 nd -4 th century
medicini za merewe pulsa bolesnika, a
bila je i u svakodnevnoj, ku}noj upotrebi
(sl. 107). 95
Viminacijumsku kerami~ku produkciju
karakteri{e i jedna posebna grupa
kerami~kih posuda, koje svojim oblicima
predstavqaju vernu imitaciju formi tera
sigilata posuda (tzv. Viminacium-Margum
II). Visokim tehnolo{kim i umetni~kim
kvalitetom, ove posude prevazilaze produkciju
mnogih provincijskih radionica.
Dekorativni motivi na posudama su mitolo{kog,
figuralnog i vegetabilnog karaktera.
Izdvaja se patera sa erotskom scenom
na dnu, koja se datuje krajem II i u prvu
polovinu III veka (sl. 108). 96
vessel decorated with relief, a clepsèdra or
water clock, dated to the first half of the 2 nd century.
At the bottom of the vessel are a number
of small openings laid out like the holes on a
shower head and, at the top of the pipe-like handle,
also, an opening. A clepsydra is a timepiece
which can consistently measure a time period.
The periods it shows are the following: 180 seconds
if six openings at the bottom are closed and
the water flows through only one opening, and
30 seconds if all seven holes are left open. The
term “clepsydra“ and the shape of a clepsydra
date as far back as the Classical Greek period,
when it served for measuring short intervals of
time. The Romans used it in courtrooms, in order
to limit the time a speaker was allowed to speak,
in medicine, for taking the patient’s pulse, and it
95 Lj. Bjelajac, Terra sigillata, 143-147, 173-175, Svet merewa,
odgovorni urednik D. Srejovi}, Beograd 1995, 83, kat.
017.
96 V. Ivani{evi}, S. Nikoli}-Djordjevi}, Novi tragovi anti~kih fortifikacija
u Singidunumu- lokalitet Knez Mihajlova 30,
SINGIDVNVM, 1, Beograd 1997, 110, 112.
96 V. Ivanisevic, S. Nikolic-Djordjevic, Novi tragovi antickih fortifikacija
u Singidunumu- lokalitet Knez Mihajlova 30, SINGIDVN-
VM, 1, Beograd 1997, 110, 112.
132

110. Kerami~ki pehar, III - IV vek
Ceramic cup, 3 rd -4 th century
Kerami~ke posude za svakodnevnu
upotrebu su najbrojnije, a odlikuje ih
raznovrstnost formi koje su standardne za
~itavu teritoriju Carstva: kr~azi, tawiri,
zdele, lonci, pitosi, mortarijumi,
amfore i dr. Karakteri{e ih solidna
izrada od crveno pe~ene, sive ili beli-
~aste gline, uz primenu razli~itih dekorativnih
tehnika. Zastupqeno je bojewe,
barbotin, urezivawe i aplicirawe, `igosawe
i dr. Paralelno sa lokalnom produkcijom,
traje i import luksuzne robe iz zapadnih
oblasti Carstva (sl. 110). U okviru
grn~arsko-ciglarskog centra, u kerami-
~kim pe}ima i otpadnim jamama oko wih,
otkrivena je ve}a koli~ina loptastih
amfora, koja dokazuje da je ovo, za sada,
jedino sigurno, potvr|ena organizovana
kerami~ka proizvodwa, koja je ukqu~ivala
i produkciju amfora. Amfore su
iskqu~ivo kori{}ene za transport namirnica,
a na osnovu porekla pojedinih tipova
i wihovog sadr`aja, dobijeni su osnovni
was also in daily use in the home (figure 107). 95
Viminacium pottery production is also
characterized by a special group of ceramic vessels,
which in their shape were accurate imitations
of terra sigillata vessels (the so-called
Viminacium-Margum II). With their high technological
and artistic quality, these vessels outshined
the produce of many provincial workshops.
The decorative motifs on the vessels were
mythological, figural and floral in character.
Outstanding is a patera with an erotic scene at
the bottom, which is dated to the end of the 2 nd
century or to the beginning of the 3 rd century
(figure 108). 96
Ceramic vessels for daily use are the
most numerous and they are characterized by a
variety of forms, which are standard for the
entire territory of the Empire: jugs, plates, bowls,
pots, pithoi, mortars, amphorae etc. They are
characterized by solid making of red-burnt, grey
97 Lj. Bjelajac, Amfore gornjomezijskog Podunavlja, Beograd 1996,
109-114.
133

134
111. Kerami~ke posude, I-VI vek, Narodni muzej Po`arevac
Ceramic vessels, 1 st -6 th century, National museum Po`arevac

112. Venera, terakota, II-III vek
Venus, terra-cotta, 2 nd -3 rd century
113. Kerami~ka maska, II-III vek
Ceramic mask, 2 nd -3 rd century
ekonomski pokazateqi i u velikoj meri
rekonstruisani putevi trgovine re-
{avaju}i problem snabdevawa ove oblasti
od I-VI v. 97
Krajem I veka, u Viminacijum su
po~eli da pristi`u proizvodi iz Severne
Italije (vino), a ne{to kasnije sosovi i
maslinovo uqe sa Iberijskog poluostrva,
97 Lj. Bjelajac, Amfore gornjomezijskog Podunavlja, Beograd
1996, 109-114.
or white clay, with various decorative techniques
being used. Among the used techniques were:
colouring, barbotine, incising and adding,
impressing etc. Alongside local production, luxury
goods were being imported from Western
parts of the Empire (figure 110). A large number
of spherical amphorae were found on the site
of the pottery/brickmaking centre, in the potter’s
kilns and waste storage holes and around them,
which proves that this is, so far, the only indisputably
proven organized ceramic production
facility which included the production of
135

114. Igra~ka, II-III vek
Toy, 2 nd -3 rd century
tropsko vo}e iz zapadnomediteranskih
oblasti, a od sredine II veka vino sa gr~kih
ostrva.Tokom III i IV veka iz Male Azije se
uvoze vino i uqani balzami, a u VI veku
vino i balzami iz Sirije i Palestine. Jo{
tokom III veka uspostavqene su redovne
trgova~ke veze sa Crnomorskim oblastima,
odakle pristi`u `ito, vino i maslinovo
uqe. Krajem III i u IV veku registruje se
import vina, maslinovog uqa i ribqih
prera|evina iz Afrike (Egipta i
Tunisa). 98
Znatan deo kerami~ke produkcije
pripada izradi terakota koje su u ve}em
broju nala`ene na `rtvenim povr{inama
ju`nih nekropola Viminacijuma, u funkciamphorae.
Amphorae were exclusively used for
transporting provisions and, based on the origin
of certain types and on their contents, basic economic
indicators have been obtained and trade
and supply routes for this region in the period
from the 1 st -4 th centuries have been determined. 97
At the end of the 1 st century, north Italian
produce started arriving in Viminacium (wine),
and, somewhat later, sauces and olive oil from
the Iberian peninsula, tropical fruit from the
western Mediterranean, and, from the mid-2 nd
century, wine from the Greek islands. During the
3 rd and 4 th centuries, wine and oil balm started
being imported from Asia Minor and wine and
balm from Syria and Palestine. Permanent trad-
98 Ibid,103-114.
98 Ibid,103-114.
99 Q. Zotovi}, ^. Jordovi}, op. cit; 28-29.
136

115. Zve~ka, II-III vek
Rattle, 2 nd -3 rd century
116. Kalup za `i`ak, II-III vek
Lamp mould, 2 nd -3 rd century
ji apotropejske `rtve pokojniku, bilo da je
izra`ena kroz lik bo`anstva ili putem
wegovog zoomorfnog simbola. 99 Osim kultne,
imale su {iroku namenu i u svakodnevnom
`ivotu. Raznovrsni motivi se mogu
grupisati u: religiozno-kultne, zoomorfne,
teme iz svakodnevng `ivota i igra~ke.
Plinije navodi da su bogati roditeqi
pravili prave male zoolo{ke vrtove svojoj
deci ili zbirke `ivotiwa. Na lokalnu
viminacijumsku produkciju terakota znatan
uticaj je izvr{io import iz Galije i
Rajnske oblasti. 100
Kao najve}i kerami~ki centar u
Gorwoj Meziji, Viminacijum je imao i vrlo
razvijenu produkciju lampi (`i`aka).
Najsna`niji dokaz za ovu tvrdwu preding
relations with the Black Sea region had been
established as early as the 3 rd century, and wheat,
wine and olive oil were imported from there.
Wine, olive oil and fisheries products imports
from Africa (Egypt and Tunisia) were registered
at the end of the 3 rd and in the 4 th century. 98
A considerable portion of the pottery production
was the making of terracotta objects,
found in large numbers on the sacrificial surfaces
of the southern necropolises of Viminacium, with
the function of an apotropaic sacrifice to the
deceased, either expressed through a depiction of
the deity or through its zoomorphic symbol. 99
99 Q. Zotovi}, ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 28,29.
100 A. Premk, Terra-Cotta Animal Figurines from Viminacium,
Starinar XLV-XLVI, 1994/1995, Beograd 1995, 143-154.
100 A. Premk, Terra-Cotta Animal Figurines from Viminacium,
Starinar XLV-XLVI, 1994/1995, Beograd 1995, 143-154.
101 ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 98, 105.
137

117. Kerami~ke lampe, II-III vek
Ceramic lamps, 2 nd -3 rd century
stavqaju nalazi kalupa sa pe~atima majstora
(CARIA, CEREALIS, FORTIS, FESTI,
OCTAVI) u kerami~kim pe}ima grn~arskociglarskog
centra, koji je bio u funkciji
tokom II i III veka. 101 Osim toga, istovetan
kvalitet gline od koje su izra|ivane lampe
i kerami~ke posude ukazuje na isti
radioni~ki krug.
Prvi importovani primerci lampi
poti~u iz vremena Vespazijana (69-79. g.) i
vezuju se za severnoitalske radionice koje
su, osim kerami~kih, proizvodile i luksuzne
metalne lampe.
Relativno rano, krajem I i po~etkom
II veka, sa organizacijom kerami~arske
produkcije, zapo~iwe i proizvodwa lampi,
koje nastaju po uzoru na importovane
101 ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 98, 105.
Apart from their religious use, they were widely
used in daily life. The various motifs can be
grouped into: religious, zoomorphic, everyday
life themes and toys. Plinius states that well-todo
parents had entire miniature zoological gardens
or animal figurine collections made for their
children. Imports from Gallia and the Rhine
region exerted a significant influence on the local
Viminacium terracotta production. 100
As the largest centre of ceramics production
in Upper Moesia, Viminacium also had a
very well-developed production of lamps. The
strongest piece of evidence for this are the finds
of moulds with workshop marks (CARIA, CERE-
ALIS, FORTIS, FESTI, OCTAVI) in the kilns of
the pottery and brickmaking centre, which functioned
during the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries. 101 Aside
from this, the identical quality of the clay that
the lamps and ceramic vessels were made of
indicates the same manufacturing circle.
The first lamp imports date from the time
138

118. @i`ak sa Silenom, II vek
Lamp with Sillenus, 2 nd century
119. Kerami~ke lampe, II-IV vek
Ceramic lamps, 2 nd -4 th century
139

primerke sa pe~atima severnoitalskih
majstora i figuralne lampe kao jeftinija
varijanta metalnih (sl. 117, 118).
Glavne odlike viminacijumske produkcije
su kreativnost i ma{tovitost u
ukra{avawu dokumentovane velikim brojem
dekorativnih motiva i wihovih kombinacija.
Zastupqeni su mitolo{ki i profani
likovi, predmeti kultnog i profanog
karaktera, maske, zoomorfni, vegetabilni
i geometrijski motivi, `anr scene i dr. U
tipolo{kom i hronolo{kom smislu, viminacijumska
zbirka lampi, jedna je od najbogatijih
i najzna~ajnijih, jer je najve}im
delom datovana novcima iz grobnih celina.
U velikom broju su zastupqene lampe sa
pe~atom, reqefnim predstavama na disku i
figuralne. O razgranatim trgova~kim
vezama i intenzivnoj lokalnoj produkciji
najvi{e govori podatak da su na
Viminacijumu ostavile traga 82 firme
(radionice), od ~ega se 43 mogu smatrati
viminacijumskim, a 34 pripada severnoitalskoj
produkciji. Analiza viminacijumskih
lampi je u velikoj meri korigovala
dosada{wa hronolo{ka i tipolo{ka opredeqewa,
a izdvojen je i poseban, tzv. „ viminacijumski“
tip. 102
Zbirka lampi broji oko 4100
primeraka, {to je pored kvalitativnih i
tipolo{kih karakteristika, svrstava u
najbrojniju zbirku lampi na teritoriji
Rimskog carstva.
of Vespasian (years 69-79) and are associated
with northern Italic workshops, which, apart
from ceramic lamps, also produced luxury metal
ones.
Relatively early on, at the end of the 1 st
and the beginning of the 2 nd century, production
of lamps began too, modelled on imported items
bearing marks of northern Italic workshops and
on figural lamps as cheaper variants of metal
ones (figures 117 and 118).
Creativity and imaginativeness in decoration,
documented by a large number of ornamental
motifs and combinations thereof, are the
main characteristics of the Viminacium production.
Mythological or religious and secular characters
and objects were used, as well as masks,
zoomorphic, floral and geometrical motifs, genre
scenes etc. Typologically and chronologically,
the Viminacium lamp collection is among the
richest and most important ones, as it has most-
120. Kerami~ke lampe, III-IV vek
Ceramic lamps, 3 rd -4 th century
102 Sve lampe sa Viminacijuma obradio je u svojoj doktorskoj
tezi koja nije publikovana M. Kora}, @i{ci
sa teritorije Viminacijuma, Beograd 1995.
102 All Viminacium lamps have been examined in M. Korac’s doctoral
thesis, which was never published: M. Korac, @i{ci sa teritorije
Viminacijuma, Beograd 1995.
140

Sude}i po rasprostrawenosti
opeka, sa `igom legije VII Claudia,
najzna~ajniji udeo u eksportu viminacijumske
privrede imali su proizvodi
ciglarskih radionica. Viminacijumske
opeke se nalaze na teritoriji ~itave
Mezije, ali i Panonije, {to ukazuje na
dobro organizovanu proizvodwu, trgovinu
i postojan kvalitet, koji su lokalni majstori
odr`ali tokom kontinuirane
proizvodwe od I-IV v. Izuzetno bogata i
kvalitetna glini{ta, blizina reka, bogatstvo
{umom, kao i razvijena saobra}ajna
mre`a, predstavqali su osnovu
pokreta~kog razvoja ciglarske industrije.
Dosada{wim arheolo{kim istra-
`ivawima otkriveno je 14 ciglarskih
pe}i. Od tog broja, 3 su otkrivene prily
been dated by the presence of coins from
graves. Lamps with marks, with disc reliefs or
figural lamps are present in large numbers. The
fact that 82 workshops have left their trace in
Viminacium, out of which 43 can be considered
to have been Viminacium workshops, while 34
belonged to northern Italic production, speaks
most vividly of development levels of trading
connections at the time and of the intensity of
local production. Analysis of Viminacium lamps
brought significant corrections to previous
chronological and typological classifications, and
a separate “Viminacium“ type of lamp was identified.
102 The lamp collection numbers around
4100 items, which places it among the most
numerous collections of lamps in the territory of
the Roman Empire, regardless of its qualitative
and typological characteristics.
121.
141

121 a..
likom gra|evinskih radova u Novom
Kostolcu 1956. g., a 11 tokom za{titnih
istra`ivawa u periodu od 1977-1992. g. U
okviru zanatskog, grn~arsko-ciglarskog
centra istra`ene su 3 pe}i koje su, sude}i
po popravkama, bile dugo u upotrebi. U jednoj
od wih, registrovani su fragmenti
hipokausnih opeka, tegula i opeka sa
`igovima LEG VII CL, {to dokazuje da se
radi o vojnoj radionici. Dosada{wi nalazi
pe}i i ra{irenost viminacijumske opeke
koja je u gra|evinarstvu kori{}ena sve do
savremnog doba, svrstavaju Viminacijum u
jedan od najve}ih, ako ne i najve}i, ciglarski
centar na Balkanu i u Podunavqu. U
wemu su proizvo|ene opeke razli~itih
dimenzija i oblika: opeke za zidawe,
kvadratne za stubi}e, lu~ne i kru`ne za
segmente stubova, opeke sa ispustima
(no`icama), za oblagawe zidova i sprovo|ewe
toplog vazduha, krovne-tegule i
wihove spojnice-imbreksi, vodovodne cevi
i minijaturene podne opeke, naj~e{}e heksagonalnog
ili leptirastog oblika.
Judging by how widespread bricks bearing
the mark of legion VII Claudia are, we can
conclude that brickmaking products were the key
export of Viminacium’s economy. Viminacium
bricks are encountered throughout Moesia and
Pannonia, which testifies to well-organized production,
trade and to a constancy of quality during
the whole period of production, from the 1 st -
4 th century. The exceptionally rich clay deposits,
the proximity of rivers, the large forests and the
developed communications network acted as
the basis for development of brickmaking industry.
Previous archaeological excavations have
uncovered 14 brickmaking kilns. Out of this
number, 3 were discovered during construction
works in Novi Kostolac in the year 1956, and 11
during the conservational activities in the period
from the year 1977 to 1992. Three kilns within
the pottery and brickmaking centre have been
examined. Judging by the visible traces of
repairs, these were used for a long time.
Fragments of hypocaust bricks, tiles and bricks
142

121 b.
121 - 121 a,b. Opeke iz Viminacijuma, I-IV vek
Bricks from Viminacium, 1 st -4 th century.
Najstarija ciglarska pe} poti~e s
kraja I veka. Periodu II i III veka pripadaju
pe}i u okviru zanatskog centra, dok su sve
ostale iz perioda III-IV veka. 103 Period II-
III veka je ujedno i period najve}eg graditeqskog
zamaha i urbanizacije, pri ~emu su
iziskivane velike koli~ine gra|evinskog
materijala. Izgradwa utvr|ewa, naseqa,
wegovo {irewe, kao i konstantne popravke,
rezultirale su kontinuiranom produkcijom,
najpre vojnih, a zatim gradskih
i privatnih radionica. Za sada, nisu potvr-
|ene carske radionice. Nalazi opeka sa
pe~atom legije VII Claudia u utvr|ewima
dunavskog limesa ukazuju na proizvodwu
ove legije ili wenih odeqewa stacioniranih
u tim oblastima. 104
bearing the mark LEG VII CL (which suggests it
was a military workshop) have been found in
one of the kilns. Judging by the previous finds
of kilns and the territory in which Viminacium
bricks, have been found, which continue to be
used until the present day, have been found,
Viminacium was among the largest brickmaking
centres, if not the largest, in the Balkans and
along the Danube. Bricks varying in shape and
size were produced here: building bricks, squareshaped
ones for posts, arched and circular ones
for segments of pillars, bricks with outlets, wallcoating
and insulation bricks, tiles (tegulae) and
parts which connected them - imbrices (raintiles),
water-supply pipes and miniature floor
tiles, mostly hexagonal or butterfly-shaped.
The oldest brickmaking kiln was late 1st
103 ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 98, 105
104 M. Mirkovic, Rimski gradovi, 140,141.
103 ^. Jordovi}, op. cit., 98, 105
104 M. Mirkovic, Rimski gradovi, 140,141.
143

122. Zanatski centar, (ciglarska pe})
Workshops, (brick kiln)
Iz Viminacijuma poti~e preko 200
razli~itih pe~ata koji potvr|uju vojnu,
gradsku i privatnu produkciju. Dominiraju
pe~ati legije VII Claudia u razli~itim
kombinacijama. Iz Viminacijuma poti~e i
veliki broj opeka sa `igovima privatnih
radionica: VAL. SEV., P. AEL. SEV., STATES,
HE VL HE.. ID (?), DE LICIANI VI, SVC PROV-
INTIAL, VALERIA, AVRELIVS CORBINVS i
dr. 105 Ti pe~ati su ne samo znak
radioni~kog prepoznavawa, ve} i garancija
odre|enog kvaliteta. Veoma su ~este
geometrijske {are, urezani simboli,
ostaci `ivotiwskih {apa, ma{toviti
century. The kilns in the crafts centre belong to
the period of the 2 nd -3 rd centuries, while the rest
are from the period of the 3 rd -4 th centuries. 103
The period of the 2 nd -3 rd centuries was also the
period of the greatest building and city-planning
upswing, which meant demand of large quantities
of building material. The construction of the
fortifications, of the settlement, its expansion
and constant repairs resulted in continuous production,
at first in military and later in privately
owned workshops. So far, there has been no confirmation
of an existence of imperial workshops
in Viminacium. The finds of bricks bearing the
mark of legion VII Claudia in the fortifications
105 Ibid, 141.
105 Ibid, 141.
144

122 a. Zanatski centar
Workshops
urezi izvedeni prstom u sve`oj glini (sl.
121 a-b). Wihova funkcija je prakti~na:
proveravan je stepen isu{enosti i spremnosti
opeka za pe~ewe, ili se to ~inilo da
bi opeka boqe vezala malter. Samo otiskivawe
i izrada pe~ata je vrlo zahtevan
posao, a broj pe~ata registrovanih u
Viminacijumu ukazuje na vrlo ve{te gravere.
Pe~ati su izra|ivani od drveta,
kamena ili metala {to je, naravno, uticalo
na o{trinu i konture slova.
Istra`ene pe}i su ~etvrtastog ili
pravouganog oblika, dimenzija osnove 4-5
m. Zidane su u kombinaciji }erpi~a, opeka
i tegula a malterisane blatom. Sastoje se
od: lo`i{ta (praefurnium) zasvedenog
opekama, sistema kanala i re{etke.
of the Danube limes point to the production of
this legion or of its parts stationed in those
regions. 104
Over 200 various brick marks confirming
military, municipal and private production, originated
in Viminacium. Marks of legion VII
Claudia predominate in various combinations. A
large number of bricks with the marks of private
workshops also come from Viminacium: VAL.
SEV., P. AEL. SEV., STATES, HE VL HE.. ID
(?), DE LICIANI VI, SVC PROVINTIAL, VALE-
RIA, AVRELIVS CORBINVS etc. 105 These marks
were not merely an identification of the workshop
a brick was made in, but were also a quality
guarantee. Geometric motifs, carved symbols,
animal footprints and imaginative finger-drawn
motifs in soft clay were very common (figure121
145

122 b. Ciglarska pe} (zanatski centar)
Brick kiln (Workshops)
Re{etka je zidana od opeka sa otvorima za
strujawe toplog vazduha u gorwi prostor
pe}i, gde su bile, po posebnom sistemu,
pore|ane sirove opeke. Spoqni i unutra{wi
deo pe}i gra|en je }erpi~em koji je
premazan blatom. Lo`i{te se nalazi
ukopano u zemqu, a deo za opeke, iznad
zemqe.
Sve dosada{we pe}i su otkrivene
izvan gradskih bedema (extra muros), {to su
nalagali rimski gradski propisi. Kao
kabasta roba, opeke su prodavane na samim
ciglanama, odakle su re~nim putevima
transportovane, na mezijsko tr`i{te ili
daqe.
a-b). Their function was practical: they were an
indicator of if a brick was dry and ready for
burning, or they helped bind the brick to the
mortar. Impressing a mark and making the stamp
was a very demanding task, and the mere number
of brick marks in Viminacium points to very
skilled engravers. The stamps used for marking
were made of wood, stone or metal, on which,
surely, the sharpness of the letter contours
depended.
The examined kilns are square or rectangular
in shape and the dimensions of their bases
were 4-5m. They were made of a combination of
unbaked bricks, bricks and tiles, which were held
together by mud. They consisted of: the firebox
(praefurnium), arched by bricks, a system of
canals and a system of slots. This structure was
made of bricks and allowed air to circulate
146

Lokalna kovnica novca
The local mint

Dobijawem statusa kolonije, 239. g.
za vreme Gordijana III, Viminacijum je
stekao pravo da kuje svoj bakarni novac.
Razlozi za otvarawe kovnice lokalne monete
su vi{estruki; Viminacijum se razvijao
u bogatoj oblasti nedaleko od rudnika a
geografski, politi~ko-strate{ki i
ekonomski zna~aj Viminacijuma u~inio je
da su se u wemu, sredinom III veka, nalazile
najboqe rimske trupe. Doga|aji na mezijskom
delu dunavskog limesa ~esto su imali
dramati~ne tokove. Redovno pla}awe
vojske poreme}eno je nesta{icom dr`avnog
novca koja se ose}ala na tlu dunavskih
provincija. Trebalo je hitno finansijski
intervenisati i organizovati kovnicu u
neposrednoj blizini zbivawa.
Lokalna kovnica novca u Viminacijumu
je radila od 239/240. do 254/255. g.
Do prekida je do{lo u 248/249. i 253/254. g.,
verovatno, zbog ote`anog snabdevawa
kovnice rudom, koje su izazvali nestabilni
vojnopoliti~ki doga|aji. 106
Viminacijumski novac nosi na
reversu natpis: P (rovincia) M (oesia) S (uperior),
Col (onia) Vim (inacium), a u ise~ku An (no)
i broj lokalne ere, koja te~e od I do XVI,
izuzimaju}i godine X i XV, kada se nije
kovalo. Na reversu je po pravilu predstavqena
`enska figura obu~ena u dugu
opasanu haqinu (personifikacija Viminacijuma
ili provincije), kako dr`i ruke
nad bikom i lavom, simbolima legije VII
Claudia i IIII Flavia, koje su bile stacionirane
u Meziji. Na aversu se nalaze biste
between the firebox and the upper part of the
kiln, where unbaked bricks were laid according
to a special pattern. Both the inside and
the outside of the kiln were built with
unbaked bricks and covered with a mud coating.
The firebox was dug into the ground, while the
brick part was above the ground.
Up to now, all the kilns were discovered
outside the city walls (extra muros), which was
a stipulation of Roman municipal legislation.
Being bulky freight, bricks were sold in the brick
plant proper, from where they were shipped by
river, into the Moesian market or further.
106 B. Bori}-Bre{kovi}, Novac kolonije Viminacijum u
zbirci Svetozara St. Du{ani}a, Beograd 1976, 8-23.
106 B. Bori}-Bre{kovi}, Novac kolonije Viminacijum u
zbirci Svetozara St. Du{ani}a, Beograd 1976, 8-23.
149

150
123. Kovnica Viminacijum, Gordijan III (238.-244. g.)
Viminacium mint, Gordian III (A.D. 238-244)

124. Kovnica Viminacijum , Kvint (249.-251. g.) i Etruscila
Viminacium mint, Quintus (A.D. 260-261) and Etruscilla
151

125. Kovnica Viminacijum, Trebonijan Gal (251.-253. g.)
Viminacium mint, Trebonianus Gallus (A.D. 251-253)
careva i ~lanova vladarske ku}e okrenute
nadesno, sa lovorovim vencem (velika i
mala bronza), ili zrakastom krunom na
glavi (sredwa bronza).
Pored Gordijana III, u Viminacijumu
su jo{ kovali: Filip I, Otacilija, Filip
II, Decije Trajan, Etruscila, Decije II,
Kvint, Herenije Etrusk, Hostilijan,
Trebonijan Gal, Voluzijan, Emilijan,
Valerijan, Marinijana i Galijen .
Glavne odlike viminacijumskog
kovawa su brojnost izdawa i {irina
wihovog opticajnog dometa. Cirkulacija
viminacijumske monete zabele`ena je na
teritoriji van Gorwe Mezije: u Panoniji,
Dalmaciji i Dakiji. Tehni~ki i umetni~ki
kvalitet oscilira, zavisno od godine
kovawa. Generalno se mo`e re}i da su
graveri bili dobri majstori, a odlikuje ih
When it was promoted into a colony,
in the year 239, during the reign of Gordian III,
Viminacium acquired the right to mint its own
copper money. There were multiple reasons for
opening a mint for a local currency; Viminacium
was developing in a rich area, in the vicinity of
mines and its geographical, political, strategic
and economic importance in the mid-3 rd century
brought some of the best Roman troops to
Viminacium. Events often took dramatic twists
along the Moesian section of the Danube limes.
A shortage of the state currency in the Danube
152

upotreba brojnih kalupa za kovawe, {to je
rezultiralo ikonografskim bogatstvom.
Viminacijumska produkcija se izdvaja u
masi provincijalnih kovawa, naro~ito
precizno{}u hronolo{kih podataka koje
pru`aju oznake lokalne ere. V. Kondi} smatra
da su osnovni ton proizvodwi davali
majstori iz Rima. 107
Op{te siroma{ewe Carstva, politi~ka
nestabilnost i sve ~e{}i upadi
Varvara, uticali su na kraj kovawa
kovnice u Viminacijumu. Kovnicu je zatvorio
Galijen 254/255. g. Op{ta dru{tvenopoliti~ka
situacija u~inila je nerentabilnim
svako izdavawe gradskog novca.
U Viminacijumu su od 248. g. kovani
i antoninijani za Filipa I, potom za uzurpatora
Pakacijana, Trajana Decija,
Trebonijana Gala, Voluzijana i Emilijana.
Otvarawe carske kovnice u Viminacijumu
sasvim je logi~no u kontekstu
{ire dru{tveno-politi~ke i ekonomske
situacije. Viminacijum je posedovao organizacionu
i kadrovsku bazu formiranu 239.
g. kovawem u bakru. Kovawe novca predstavqa
slo`en i komplikovan aparat,
povezan sa tehnolo{kom obradom rude i
wenom pripremom za kovawe. Sa dugom
tradicijom u proizvodwi i preradi rude,
osnovima kovni~ke tehnike i obu~enim
stru~wacima (reza~i kalupa), Viminacijum
je bio najboqi izbor. 108
provinces was causing disruptions in the rhythm
with which the troops received their wages.
There was a need for urgent intervention, which
meant setting up a mint in the immediate vicinity
of the happenings.
The local Viminacium mint operated
from the year 239/240 to 254/255. There were
interruptions in the years 248/249 and 253/254,
proba- bly due to hindrances in ore supplies
to the mint, caused by an unstable military and
political situation. 106
Viminacium coins bore the following
inscriptions on the reverse side: P (rovincia) M
(oesia) S (uperior), Col (onia) Vim (inacium),
and, below: An (no) and the number of the local
era, from I to XVI, excluding the years X and
XV, when no minting took place. As a rule, the
reverse featured the motif of a female clad in a
long dress with a belt (a personification of
Viminacium or the Province), holding her hands
over a bull and a lion, the symbols of legions
VII Claudia and IIII Flavia, both of which were
stationed in Moesia. The obverse featured the
busts of emperors and members of the ruling
house facing right, wearing a laurel wreath
(large-sized and small-sized bronze coins) or a
radial crown on their heads (middle-sized bronze
coins).
Aside from Gordian III, the following
rulers also minted coins in Viminacium: Philip I,
Otacilia, Philip II, Trajan Decius, Etruscilla,
Decius II, Quintus, Herennius Etruscus,
Hostilian, Trebonian Gallus, Volusian, Aemilian,
Valerian, Mariniana and Gallienus.
107 V. Kondic, Beogradski nalaz denara i antoninijana, Beograd 1969,
54.
108 Ibid, 47-65.
107 V. Kondic, Beogradski nalaz denara i antoninijana, Beograd 1969,
54.
108 Ibid, 47-65.
153

Medicina
Medicine

Teritorija Viminacijuma ima
tradiciju medicinske za{tite dugu oko
sedam milenijuma. Brojni arheolo{ki
predmeti, po~ev od vin~anske, pa sve do
latenske civilizacije, nesumwiv su dokaz
poznavawa odre|enih lekarskih ve{tina i
brige o zdravqu, koja se`e do najstarijih
civilizacija. 109
The main characteristics of Viminacium
minting are the large number of editions and
their wide circulation. The Viminacium currency
was in use outside Upper Moesia: in Pannonia,
Dalmatia and Dacia. Their technical and artistic
quality varies depending on the year of minting.
In general, it can be said that the engravers were
good craftsmen and what characterized them was
126. Medicinsko-kozmeti~ka kutija, II-III vek
Medical-cosmetic box, 2 nd -3 rd century
109 D. Jacanovi}, Praistorijski medicinski instrumenti
u Srbiji, ZA ZDRAVQE, iz istorije narodne medicine
i zdravstvene kulture, VIII nau~ni skup Zaje~ar
2001, u {tampi 2002.
109 D. Jacanovi}, Praistorijski medicinski instrumenti
u Srbiji, ZA ZDRAVQE, iz istorije narodne medicine
i zdravstvene kulture, VIII nau~ni skup Zaje~ar
2001, u {tampi 2002.
157

127. Medicinski instrumenti, I-IV vek
Medical instruments, 1 st -4 th century
Dolazak rimskih legija po~etkom I
veka izazva}e zna~ajne dru{tveno-politi~ke
i socijalne promene koje }e uticati
na sve sfere javnog i privatnog `ivota.
Urbanizacija i kontakti sa razvijenim
dru{tvima znatno podi`u kvalitet `ivota
autohtonog stanovni{tva. Velika dostignu}a
su postignuta na poqu organizovane
zdravstvene za{tite i komunalne
higijene, koja nije odr`avana samo u Rimu,
ve} i svim provincijama Carstva. Dobro
poplo~ane ulice sa razgranatom vodovodnom
i kanalizacionom mre`om ispod, postojawe
javnih kupatila, dokazuju visoke
standarde viminacijumskog stanovni-
{tva. 110 Kao deo novog na~ina `ivota, javna
the use of various minting moulds, which resulted
in iconographic diversity. Viminacium production
stands out in a mass of other provincial
coinages, especially by the accuracy of the
chronological data it displays, which specifies the
local era a coin was minted in. According to V.
Kondic’s opinion, this production was crucially
determined by craftsmen from Rome. 107
General impoverishment of the Empire,
political instability and a growing number of
Barbaric incursions caused the Viminacium mint
to stop its activity. It was closed down by
Gallienus in the year 254/255. The general sociopolitical
circumstances rendered all municipal
minting unviable.
From 248 onwards, antoninians were
110 Vid. napomenu 14. 110 See note 14.
158

128.
kupatila zna~ajno uti~u na dru{tveni
`ivot gra|ana. Pose}ivali su ih mu{karci
i `ene, a wihov slo`en sadr`aj, sa gimnasti~kim
dvoranama, toplim i hladnim
kupatilima, pru`ao je mogu}nosti za kompletne
tretmane tela - masa`u, gimnastiku
i kupawe.
Prvi profesionalni lekari u Viminacijumu
se mogu pretpostaviti jo{ u
ranoj fazi osnivawa vojnog logora, sredinom
I veka. U sastavu svake redovne i
pomo}ne jedinice slu`ili su i vojni
lekari. U periodu od kraja I-III veka, kada
Viminacijum izrasta u municipijum, a
zatim koloniju, wihovo prisustvo je sasvim
pouzdano potvr|eno.
Sna`na koncentracija vojske, trgovaca
i rimskih gra|ana, dovodi do {irewa
coined in Viminacium for Philip I, later for the
usurper Pacatian, for Trajan Decius, Trebonian
Gallus, Volusian and Aemilian.
The opening of an imperial mint in
Viminacium appears quite logical if seen in the
context of the wider socio-political and economic
situation. Viminacium possessed an organizational
and personnel basis, which was formed in
239, when copper minting began. Minting is a
demanding activity, as it entails technological
processing of ore and its preparation for coinage.
Viminacium was an ideal choice for a minting
centre, as it had a long tradition of ore production
and processing, in basic forging techniques,
as well as trained craftsmen (mould makers). 108
159

129.
kulta Eskulapa i afirmacije gr~kih
lekara i hirurga, ~iji se rad zasniva na
nau~noj tradiciji. Versku i magijsku medicinu
sa upotrebom amajlija, bajalica, simbola
i nerazumqivih formula, postepeno
potiskuju metode profesionalnih, {kolovanih
lekara.
Za pra}ewe razvoja medicine na teritoriji
Viminacijuma, najve}eg gradskog
naseqa u Gorwoj Meziji, od zna~aja su
posredni i neposredni izvori. Kao
posredan izvor koristi se anti~ka istoriografija
i originalni medicinski spisi
koji sadr`e zapa`awa o anatomiji,
fiziologiji, patologiji, farmaceutskoj i
hirur{koj terapiji. Iz rimske istoriografije
su poznati zakoni koji ta~no reguli{u
organizaciju zdravstvene slu`be,
du`nosti i obaveze lekara u vojnoj i civilnoj
upravi. Zakon koji je doneo Avgust
propisuje da svaka legija mora imati pet, a
kohorte jednog lekara. Zakon iz vremena
Antonija Pija (138-161. g.), dozvoqava
The territory of Viminacium has a
seven - millennium - long medical tradition.
Numerous archaeological finds, ranging from
Vinca to La Téne civilizations, are an indisputable
proof of the presence of certain medical
skills and health care reaching all the way back
to the most ancient civilizations. 109
The arrival of the Roman troops at the
beginning of the 1 st century caused important
socio-political and social changes, which were to
influence all segments of public and private life.
Urbanization and contact with developed societies
significantly improved the quality of living
of the autochthonous population. There were
great achievements in the fields of organized
health care and communal hygiene, which was
not exclusively restricted to Rome, but was present
in all the provinces of the Empire. The wellpaved
streets with well-developed water supply
and sewerage systems and the existence of public
baths are proof of the high standards of the
inhabitants of Viminacium. 110 As part of the new
160

130
najvi{e pet lekara u malim gradovima,
sedam u sredwim, a najvi{e deset u glavnim
gradovima provincija, kakav je bio i
Viminacijum. 111
Najegzaktniji podaci dobijeni su
putem arheolo{kih istra`ivawa otkri}em
originalnih medicinskih instrumenata,
pe~ata i lekova. Takva otkri}a na
Viminacijumu nisu retka i do sada je publikovano
vi{e pojedina~nih i zatvorenih
(grobnih) celina. 112 Medicinski instrumenti,
pe~ati i lekovi omogu}avaju selekway
of life, public baths exerted an important
influence on the social lives of the population.
They were frequented by men and women, and
their varied amenities, such as gymnasiums and
hot and cold baths offered full body treatments -
massage, physical workout and bathing.
We can expect that the first professional
physicians were present in Viminacium during
the early phase of military camp foundation, in
the mid-1 st century. Military physicians were part
of every regular and auxiliary unit. During the
period from the late 1 st -3 rd centuries, when
111 S. Kruni}, Rimski medicinski i farmaceutski
instrumenti iz Singidunuma i okoline, Beograd 1992,
9-14.
112 M. Kora}, Medicus et chirurgus ocularius iz
Viminacijuma, Starinar XXXVII 1986, Beograd 1986;
D. Stupar, Anti~ki lekovi i medicinski instrumenti na tlu
Jugoslavije, Acta hist. med. stom. pharm. med. vet. 2/1,
Beograd 1989, 15-18; M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium
et Margum, No 225; D. Spasi}, Anti~ka medicina u
Viminacijumu, ZA ZDRAVQE, iz istorije narodne
medicine i zdravstvene kulture, IV i V nau~ni skup,
Zaje~ar 1989. i 1997., Bor 1999; D. Spasi}-\uri}, Grob
lekara iz Viminacijuma, ZA ZDRAVQE, iz istorije
narodne medicine i zdravstvene kulture, VIII nau~ni
skup, Zaje~ar 2001, Zaje~ar 2002, u {tampi.
111 S. Kruni}, Rimski medicinski i farmaceutski
instrumenti iz Singidunuma i okoline, Beograd 1992,
9-14.
112 M. Kora}, Medicus et chirurgus ocularius iz
Viminacijuma, Starinar XXXVII 1986, Beograd 1986;
D. Stupar, Anti~ki lekovi i medicinski instrumenti na tlu
Jugoslavije, Acta hist. med. stom. pharm. med. vet. 2/1,
Beograd 1989, 15-18; M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium
et Margum, No 225; D. Spasi}, Anti~ka medicina u
Viminacijumu, ZA ZDRAVQE, iz istorije narodne
medicine i zdravstvene kulture, IV i V nau~ni skup,
Zaje~ar 1989. i 1997., Bor 1999; D. Spasi}-\uri}, Grob
lekara iz Viminacijuma, ZA ZDRAVQE, iz istorije
narodne medicine i zdravstvene kulture, VIII nau~ni
skup, Zaje~ar 2001, Zaje~ar 2002, u {tampi.
161

131.
128-131. Grob lekara, medicus et chirurgus ocularius, kraj I - po~etak II veka
Doctors tomb, medicus et chirurgus ocularius, end of a 1 st - beginning of a 2 nd century
tivnu analizu pojedinih grana medicine,
farmacije i farmakologije.
Sa teritorije Viminacijuma pouzdano
je opredeqeno 5 lekarskih grobova.
Cifra se ne mo`e smatrati kona~nom, jer
jo{ uvek nije zavr{ena konzervacija
celokupnog pokretnog materijala sa arheolo{kih
istra`ivawa. U prvom, koji je
datovan u III vek, sahrawen je nepoznati
„ medicus chirurgus VII Claudiae“, zajedno sa
hirur{kim instrumentarijem. Drugi grob
je pored kauterijuma, orsondi i pinceta,
sadr`ao i instrument za trepanaciju. 113 U
tre}em lekarskom grobu na|ena je kutija za
lekove, trodelne konstrukcije sa poklopcem
koji se uvla~io u `qebove. Svaka
od unutra{wih kaseta ima svoj poklopac sa
`i~anom dr{kom fiksiranom za kutiju
{arkama. Na osnovu dosada{wih nalaza sa
teritorije Carstva, opredeqena je u II-III v.
Viminacium became a municipium, and then a
colony, their presence was confirmed with full
reliability.
A strong concentration of troops, merchants
and Roman citizens brought about an
expansion of the cult of Asclepius and an affirmation
of Greek physicians and surgeons, whose
work was based on scientific tradition. Religious
and magical medicine, with the use of charms,
magical spells, symbols and incomprehensible
formulae was gradually driven out by the methods
of educated, professional physicians.
There are indirect and direct sources which
are significant for completing our picture of the
development of medicine in Viminacium, the
largest urban settlement in Upper Moesia.
Classical historiography and original medical
writings containing notes on anatomy, physiology,
pathology, pharmaceutical and surgical ther-
113 M. Kora}, Medicus et chirurgus, 53.
113 M. Kora}, Medicus et chirurgus, 53
114 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka medicina u Viminacijumu, 91, 92,
T. I/1.
162

(sl. 126). 114 U ~etvrtom grobu su se tako|e
nalazili medicinski instrumenti i kutija
za lekove, koja se, najverovatnije, sastojala
iz dva nivoa. Od instrumenata su na|ene
dve sonde, instrument sa radnim delom u
obliku ~eki}a, paleta od kamena, dve
poluge, kao i ve}i kov~e`i}. U kov~e`i}u
je bio sme{ten ~itav instrumentarijum i
kutija sa lekovima. Na osnovu prate}ih
priloga i grobne forme, datovan je u kraj
II i prvu polovinu III veka. 115
Izuzetno zna~ajan nalaz predstavqa
grob lekara - specijaliste za bolesti oka
(medicus et chirurgus ocularius). Grob je, na
osnovu novca, datovan u period pre Galena
(129-199. g.), krajem I i po~etkom II veka.
Lekar je sahrawen sa kompletnim instrumentarijem
i lekovima. Instrumentarij se
sastojao od: ~etiri skalpela, dve igle-kuke
za fiksirawe mi{i}a i tkiva, pincete,
katarakt-igle i poluge. Instrumenti su se
nalazili na poklopcu kutije, a u pregradama
kutije su bili sme{teni medikamenti
kompaktne strukture u formi pastila
(pilula), i u obliku pra{ka. Ispod
kutije sa lekovima, nalazila se mermerna
paleta (sl. 128, 129, 130, 131). Vrsta instrumenta
dokazuje da se radi o o~nom hirurgu
koji je radio vrlo slo`ene operacije na
oku, kao {to su katarakta i trahom. Na to
upu}uje i hemijski sastav lekova, koji su se
koristili za le~ewe zapaqenskih procesa
i posipawe rana. 116 Masovne pojave bolesti
oka potvr|uje i pe~at o~nog lekara (Caius
Iuliius Iunianus), koji je pravio lekove za
trahom na bazi {afrana. 117 Ra{irenost
trahoma, bolesti koja je posledica
vojni~kog na~ina `ivota, razumqiva je u
apy are used as indirect sources. Laws which
strictly regulated the organization of the health
care system and the duties of a physician in military
and civilian service are known from Roman
historiography. A law passed by August prescribed
that each legion had to employ five
physicians, whereas a cohort was obliged to have
one physician. A law from the time of Antonius
Pius ( years 138-161) stipulates that there shall
be no more than five physicians in small towns,
no more than seven in mid-sized ones and no
more than ten in provincial capitals, such as was
Viminacium. 111
The most accurate data was obtained during
archaeological excavations, through the finds
of original medical instruments, stamps and medicines.
Such discoveries were not uncommon in
Viminacium and a number of individual and
closed (grave) units have been written about thus
far. 112 Medical instruments, stamps and medicines
allow selective analysis of individual branches of
medicine, pharmacy and pharmacology.
Five physician’s graves have been reliably
dated in Viminacium. This number cannot
be considered to be final, as the conservation of
artefact finds uncovered during excavations is
still ongoing. The first grave, dated to the 3 rd
century, belonged to an unknown „medicus
chirurgus VII Claudiae“ and contained surgical
instruments. A second grave, apart from a cauterium,
orsounds and pincers, also contained a
trepanation instrument. 113 A third surgeon’s grave
contained a three-part medicine box with a lid
that fitted into sealing grooves. Each of the inner
compartments had its own lid with a wire handle
hinged to the box. Based on the previous
finds from the territory of the Empire, the box
was dated to the 2 nd -3 rd centuries (figure 126). 114
A fourth grave also contained medical instru-
114 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka medicina u Viminacijumu, 91, 92,
T. I/1.
115 D. Spasi}-\uri}, Grob lekara, ZA ZDRAVQE, u
{tampi.
116 M. Kora}, Medicus et chirurgus, 55-70.
117 M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum, No 225
(signum ocularii).
115 D. Spasi}-\uri}, Grob lekara, ZA ZDRAVQE, u
{tampi.
116 M. Kora}, Medicus et chirurgus, 55-70.
117 M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum, No 225
(signum ocularii).
163

Viminacijumu koji je imao sna`nu koncentraciju
vojske.
Zna~ajan nalaz predstavqa i instrument
za trepanaciju, u ve} pomenutom
lekarskom grobu, kao i jedinstveno
otkri}e lobawe sa tragovima trepanacije.
Radi se o tipi~noj medicinskoj trepanaciji
koja je izvedena jo{ za `ivota rimskog
vojnika, a razlog ovog „ hirur{kog zahvata“
se mo`e samo pretpostaviti.
Trepanacija se pomiwe jo{ u
Hipokratovim zapisima, a najva`niji deo
instrumentarijuma za weno izvo|ewe su
no`-struga~ i nazubqena burgija. 118
Razvijenost medicine i farmacije u
Viminacijumu potvr|uju i brojni pojedina~ni,
slu~ajni ili grobni nalazi sondi,
spatula, paleta, specijalnih no`eva,
skalpela, dleta, pinceta i dr. (sl. 127).
Osim toga, oni pokazuju da se na teritoriji
Viminacijuma, najverovatnije u vojnom
logoru, nalazila bolnica (valetudinarium) sa
profesionalnim i vrlo stru~nim lekarima.
Mnogi instrumenti su imali primenu u
medicini, farmaciji i kozmetici, jer je u
Rimu profesija lekara podrazumevala i
znawa iz farmakologije i bila objediwena
u jednoj li~nosti. 119 Pored vojnih lekara,
mo`e se pretpostaviti prisustvo i civilnih
lekara koji su, prema potrebi, le~ili
pacijente po ku}ama i na licu mesta
izra|ivali lekove.
118 @. Miki}, Viminacijum- prilog poznavawa istorije
medicine, Saop{tewa XXVI, Beograd 1994, 91-93.
119 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka medicina u Viminacijumu, 91, 92,
T. I,II.
ments and a medicine box, which most likely
consisted of two levels. The medical instruments
found in the grave included: two sounds, a hammer-shaped
instrument, a stone palette, two
levers and a comparably large case. The case
contained an entire set of instruments and a medicine
box. Based on other objects found and on
its shape, this grave was dated to the end of the
2 nd and the first half of the 3 rd century. 115
The grave of a specialist for eye diseases
(medicus et chirurgus ocularius) is of extraordinary
significance. Based on the coins it contained,
the grave was dated to the period prior to
Gallienus (years 129-199.), at the end of the 1 st
and beginning of the 2 nd century. The physician
was buried alongside a full set of instruments
and medicines. The set of instruments contained:
four scalpels, two hooked needles, used for fastening
muscles and tissues, pincers, cataract-needles
and levers. The instruments were placed on
top of the box, while the compartments inside
the box contained medicines in the form of
pastilles (pills) and powder. Below the medicine
box lay a marble palette (figures 128, 129, 130
and 131). The sort of instruments found proves
that the grave belonged to an eye surgeon who
performed rather complex eye surgery, such as
removing cataracts and trachoma. The chemical
composition of the medicines leads to the same
suggestion, as these were used for healing
inflammatory processes and for dressing
wounds. 116 That eye diseases were a massive
occurrence is also proved by the stamp of an
ophthalmologist (Caius Iuliius Iunianus) who
produced saffron-based trachoma medicines. 117
That trachoma, a disease typically accompanying
the military way of life, was widespread in
Viminacium was understandable, due to
Viminacium’s high concentration of military personnel.
The find of a trepanation instrument in
the aforementioned grave of a surgeon, as well
118 @. Miki}, Viminacijum- prilog poznavawa istorije
medicine, Saop{tewa XXVI, Beograd 1994, 91-93.
119 D. Spasi}, Anti~ka medicina u Viminacijumu, 91, 92,
T. I,II.
164

Religija i kult
Religion and cult

Dolaskom Rimqana na teritoriji
Viminacijuma se stvaraju novi kulturni i
religiozni odnosi koji su svojstveni
sredi{wim delovima Carstva. Na wihovo
formirawe uticali su, kako lokalni, tako
i dru{tveno-politi~ki uslovi u Carstvu,
koji su se sna`no reflektovali i na
Viminacijum.
Specifi~an i vrlo slo`en etni~ki
sastav starosedela~kog stanovni{tva, vojna
posada iz Italije i drugih provincija,
uslovili su pojavu brojnih bo`anstava i
kultova. Wihovom {irewu pogodovali su i
odre|eni istorijski trenuci u kojima je
do{lo do infiltracije doseqenika tra~kog
i gr~ko-helenisti~kog porekla. Prvi
talas doseqenika iz ovih oblasti zabele`en
je za vreme Hadrijana (117-138. g.),
a naro~ito Marka Aurelija (161-180. g.). Do
drugog orijentalno-helenisti~kog talasa
dolazi za vreme dinastije Severa, kada se u
vojnim jedinicama naglo pove}ava broj sirijskih
regruta. Na teritoriji Viminacijuma
je potvr|ena zajednica qudi iz
oblasti Dolihe u sirijskoj Komageni. 120
Rezultat etni~kih i religioznih talasawa
je pojava sinkretizma, koji je potpuno
shvatqiv u jednom kosmopolitskom mozaiku
kakav je bio Viminacijum. Oficijelno
se insistiralo na rimskim zvani-
~nim bo`anstvima koja su slu`ila za za-
{titu dr`ave, grada, vojske i porodice.
Brojna bo`anstva i kultovi koji su
po{tovani od stanovnika Viminacijuma
120 M. Mirkovi}, Rimski gradovi, 128.
121 M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum, (vid.
napomene 1 i 89).
as the unique find of a skull bearing traces of
trepanation, are significant. It had been a typical
medical trepanation, performed while the Roman
soldier was still alive, while the reasons for this
“surgical intervention“ can only be guessed.
Trepanation was mentioned as early as
Hypocrite’s writings, and the most important
instruments for performing it were a grating
knife and a serrated drill. 118 Numerous individual
miscellaneous or grave finds of sounds, spatulas,
palettes, special knives, scalpels, chisels, pincers
etc. testify to the development of medicine and
pharmacy in Vimina-cium (figure 127). Apart
from this, they show that there was a hospital
(valetudinarium) in Viminacium, most likely
within the military camp, which employed professional
and very knowledgeable physicians.
Many instruments were used in medicine, pharmacy
and cosmetics, as the medical profession in
Rome entailed pharmacological expertise, so that
the same person was both a physician and a
pharmacist. 119 Apart from military physicians, a
presence of civilian physicians can be assumed
too, who, when required, cured the patient in
their own home and made medicines on the spot.
120 M. Mirkovic, Rimski gradovi, 128.
121 M. Mirkovic, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum, (see notes 1
and 89).
122 M. Tomovi},Roman Sculpture in Upper Moesia, 59-62, cat. 65, 68,
69-74, 76, 77, 78, 80, 86, 87, 107, 120, 121, 123.
123 M. Tomovi}, Prilog prou~avawu kamenih votivnih
ikona, 89, 120.
167

132. Grb Viminacijuma, III vek
Viminacium coat of arms, 3 rd century
dokumentovani su epigrafskim spomenicima,
121 monumentalnim skulpturama bogova
122 i reqefnim ikonama. 123 Za sada, jo{
uvek nisu arheolo{ki potvr|eni ostaci
svetili{ta kao najsna`nije potvrde
po{tovawa odre|enog kulta. Problemom
kultova iz Viminacijuma najvi{e se bavila
Q. Zotovi} koja je sva bo`anstva
razvrstala u ~etiri osnovne grupe:
bo`anstva zvani~nog rimskog Panteona,
121 M. Mirkovi}, Inscriptions, Viminacium et Margum, (vid.
napomene 1 i 89).
122 M. Tomovi},Roman Sculpture in Upper Moesia, 59-62, cat.
65, 68, 69-74, 76, 77, 78, 80, 86, 87, 107, 120, 121, 123.
123 M. Tomovi}, Prilog prou~avawu kamenih votivnih
ikona, 89, 120.
With the arrival of the Romans in the
territory of Viminacium, new cultural and religious
relations were created, which were typical
of the central parts of the Empire. Local and
wider socio-political conditions in the Empire,
which strongly reflected upon Viminacium, influenced
their formation.
124 Lj. Zotovi}, Der Paganismus in Viminacium, 127-137; Q. Zotovi},
Rano hri{}anstvo u Viminacijumu kroz izvore i arheolo{ke
spomenike, 59-71; Q. Zotovi}, Da li je u
Viminacijumu postojala zajednica mitraista?, UZDARJE
Dragoslavu Srejovi}u, Beograd 1997, 409-415; Olovne ikone
sa teritorije Viminacijuma, VESTIGATIO VETVSTATIS
Aleksandrini Cermanovi} - Kuzmanovi}, Beograd 2001,
167-179; Q. Zotovi}, Cult of Lunar Goddess or the Cult of Danubian
Horseman, Starinar XLIX/1988, Beograd 1999,63-75.
168

133. Ikone boga Mitre, III vek
Icons of Mithra, 3 rd century
ostala rimska bo`anstva, orijentalna i
tra~ka bo`anstva. 124
Verovawe u besmrtnost i postojawe
bogova podzemnog sveta sa kojima se du{e
umrlih poistove}uju, bilo je veoma sna`no
u Viminacijumu iz koga poti~e i najve}i
broj epigrafskih zaveta upu}enih du{ama
pokojnika. Samo na jednom spomeniku
zabele`ena je predstava bogova podzemnog
sveta, Plutona i Persefone.
124 Lj. Zotovi}, Der Paganismus in Viminacium, 127-137; Q. Zotovi},
Rano hri{}anstvo u Viminacijumu kroz izvore i arheolo{ke
spomenike, 59-71; Q. Zotovi}, Da li je u
Viminacijumu postojala zajednica mitraista?, UZDARJE
Dragoslavu Srejovi}u, Beograd 1997, 409-415; Olovne ikone
sa teritorije Viminacijuma, VESTIGATIO VETVSTATIS
Aleksandrini Cermanovi} - Kuzmanovi}, Beograd 2001,
167-179; Q. Zotovi}, Cult of Lunar Goddess or the Cult of Danubian
Horseman, Starinar XLIX/1988, Beograd 1999,63-75.
The specific and very complex ethnic
composition of the indigenous population and the
military garrison from Italy and from other
provinces meant the presence of various deities
and cults. Certain historic moments, at which
influx of Thracian and Greco-Hellenistic settlers
occurred, were favourable to their spreading. The
first wave of settlers from these regions arrived
in the times of Hadrian (years 117-138), and
especially of Marcus Aurelius (years 161-180). A
second Orien- tal/Hellenistic wave arrived during
the reign of the Severus dynasty, when the number
of Syrian recruits in the army units rose
sharply. The presence of a community from the
Dolicha region of Syrian Comagene in
Viminacium has been confirmed. 120 The result of
ethnic and political upheaval was syncretism,
which was completely understandable in a cosmopolitan
mosaic that Viminacium was. Official
169

134. Ikona podunavskih kowanika, II-III vek
Icon of Danubian horseman, 2 nd -3 rd century
Sude}i po broju spomenika, najpopularnije
rimsko bo`anstvo bio je Jupiter
~iji je kult, kao vrhovnog rimskog boga,
regulisala dr`ava zvani~nim propisima.
Najverovatnije da se na teritoriji vojnog
logora ili civilnog naseqa nalazio hram
ovog boga. Junona Regina i Minerva Avgusta,
iako deo zvani~ne rimske trijade, u
Viminacijumu nisu potvr|ene kao samostalna
bo`anstva.
Vojni~ko stanovni{tvo Viminacijuma
je najve}e po{tovawe iskazivalo
Roman deities were insisted on publicly. Their
function was to protect the state, the city, the
military and the family.
The numerous deities and cults upheld by
the Viminacium populace was documented in
epigraphic monuments 121 and sculptures of gods
122 , as well as by relief icons. 123 Thus far, there
has been no archaeological confirmation of remnants
of shrines, as the strongest confirmation of
the following of certain cults. The problem cults
in Viminacium has been dealt with in most detail
by Lj. Zotovic, who classified all deities in four
170

135. Ikona podunavskih kowanika, II-III vek
Icon of Danubian horseman, 2 nd -3 rd century
prema Herkulu (Hercules), i to prvenstveno
kao bogu rata. Kvalitet spomenika
posve}enih Herkulu ukazuje na postojawe
hrama ovog boga koji je najve}u popularnost
stekao u vreme dinastije Severa (sl. 98).
Herkulova juna~ka dela su ~esto predstavqena
na predmetima primewene umetnosti
i u sitnoj bronzanoj plastici.
U Viminacijumu su registrovana dva
oltara posve}ena Neptunu, prvobitno bogu
teku}ih voda, a zatim, mora i pomoraca. Na
mogu}nost postojawa tre}eg, ukazuje simboli~ko
- funkcionalna analiza A.
Jovanovi}a (sl. 137a). 125 Verovatno je u
basic groups: deities of the official Roman
Pantheon, other Roman deities, Oriental deities
and Thracian deities. 124
The belief in immortality and in the existence
of gods of the underworld, with which the
souls of the dead were identified, was very
strong in Viminacium, from where the largest
number of epigraphic dedications directed to the
souls of the dead come. Only a single monument
depicted the gods of the underworld, Pluto and
Persephone.
Judging by the number of monuments,
Jupiter was the most popular Roman deity,
whose cult, as that of the supreme Roman god,
125A. Jovanovi}, Neptunov oltar iz Viminacijuma, 203-210. 125A. Jovanovi}, Neptunov oltar iz Viminacijuma, 203-210.
171

136. Kalup za ikone podunavskih kowanika, II-III vek
Mould for Danubian horseman icons, 2 nd -3 rd century
Viminacijumu postojao Neptunov hram ~iji
su dedikanti naj~e{}e bili ~lanovi
udru`ewa dunavskih brodara.
U Neptunovom hramu je bila
postavqena i statua Velike Majke
(Kibela), koja, sude}i po tome, nije imala
svoj samostalni hram. Iz Viminacijuma
poti~e mermerna statua ove bogiwe, sa
izradiranim licem. Najverovatnije da
o{te}ewe datira iz perioda hri{}anstva.
Iznena|uje podatak da, u velikom
trgova~kom centru kakav je bio Viminacijum,
spomenici posve}eni bogu trgovine i
was regulated by the state by means of official
regulations. In all probability, there was a temple
dedicated to this god either on the territory
of the military camp or in the civilian settlement.
Junona Regina and Minerva Augusta, although
parts of the official Roman triad, have not been
documented as separate deities in Viminacium.
The military population of Viminacium
reserved their greatest reverence for Hercules,
primarily as a war deity. The quality of the monuments
dedicated to Hercules suggests that there
may have been a temple dedicated to this god,
who gained the greatest popularity during the
172

psihopompu, Merkuru, nisu brojni. Znatno
su brojnije predstave dekorativnog karaktera,
naro~ito na dr{kama kerami~kih
patera.
U sastavu zvani~nog dr`avnog Panteona
bio je i kult plodnosti, a wegov
nosilac, bo`anski par, Liber i Libera.
Registrovan je samo jedan epigrafski zavet
posve}en ovom paru. Znatno su brojniji
privesci u obliku falusa, koji ukazuju da je
kult boga Libera bio popularniji. Osim
toga, dva ve}a kamena spomenika sa predstavom
falusa upu}uju na mogu}nost postojawa
hrama.
Iako vrlo popularan u Carstvu,
kult boga Silvana, u Viminacijumu je registrovan
samo u zajednici sa {umskim
nimfama koje su u tesnoj vezi sa wim. Na
{iroj teritoriji Viminacijuma su brojni
kultni izvori sa jo{ uvek vrlo `ivim
paganskim ritualnim obredima, koji
navode na pretpostavku da je kult {umskih
nimfi (ili nekog bo`anstva sli~nih
funkcija), bio znatno popularniji nego
{to arheolo{ki nalazi to potvr|uju.
Arheolo{ki dokumentovan visok
nivo medicine, u direktnoj je nesrazmeri
sa registrovanim brojem spomenika
posve}enih bo`anskom paru lekarskih
ve{tina, Eskulapu i Higiji. O~uvane su
dve mermerne baze, a na osnovu vidqivog
tela zmija, mogu se pripisati ovom kultu.
Bo`anstva ni`eg reda, Geniji, su
imala za{titni~ku funkciju. Iz
Viminacijuma poti~u tri zaveta koja se
odnose na wih. Jedan zavet je posve}en
Geniju bogiwe Tihe, a drugi Geniju mesta
koje je u logoru, bilo predvi|eno za odmor
i okupqawe. Na tre}em je o~uvana samo re~
GENIO. Ovoj grupi spomenika se mo`e
prikqu~iti i predstava sa tzv. „ Grba
Viminacijuma“ koja sadr`i stoje}u `ensku
figuru sa rukama nad lavom i bikom, simbolima
provincijske vojske. Radi se o personifikaciji
provincije ili samog grada,
reign of the Severus dynasty (figure 98).
Hercules’ heroic deeds were often depicted on
the works of applied art and on miniature bronze
plastic art.
Two altars dedicated to Neptune, primarily
the god of flowing waters, and subsequently,
of the sea and sailors, were registered in
Viminacium. The possibility that there was a
third alter is suggested by the functional symbolic
analysis of A. Jovanovic (figyre 137a). 125
Viminacium probably had a temple of Neptune
whose donators were mostly members of the
society of the Danube sailors.
The Temple of Neptune also contained a
statue of the Magna Mater (Cybeles), who, judging
by this, had no separate temple dedicated to
her. A marble statue of this goddess with a damaged
face. The damage was most probably
inflicted in the Christian period.
The fact that monuments dedicated to
Mercury, the god of trade, were scarce in a large
commercial centre as Viminacium is surprising.
Decorative depictions of Mercury were much
more common, especially those on the handles of
ceramic pateras.
The cult of fertility was part of the official
state Pantheon, and its exponents were the
divine couple Liber and Libera. Only a single
epigraphic dedication dedicated to this couple has
been registered. Phallus-shaped pendants are
much more common, which suggests that the cult
of Liber was more popular. Aside from this, two
large stone monuments depicting phalluses suggest
that there may have been a temple dedicated
to Liber.
Although very popular in the Empire, the
cult of Sylvan was only registered in
Viminacium in conjunction with forest nymphs,
which were closely related to him. There are
numerous cult sources in the wider territory of
Viminacium which still keep pagan rituals very
much alive, which should seem to suggest that
the cult of forest nymphs (or of a deity with similar
functions) was far more popular than archaeological
finds would suggest.
173

174
137. @rtvenik, III vek
Altar, 3 rd century

a kompozicija je sa novca preneta u plastiku
u lokalnoj radionici (sl. 132).
Iz perioda III veka i ve} dominiraju}eg
sinkretizma, poti~u tri spomenika
posve}ena bogiwi pravednosti, Nemezi
koju su najvi{e po{tovali vojnici.
Starorimska bogiwa plodnosti i
doweg sveta, Cerera, u Viminacijumu je
potvr|ena sa epitetima Augusta i
Conservatrix.
Rimska bogiwa {uma i lova, Dijana,
sude}i po otkri}u jednog oltara koji je stajao
u nekom hramu, mogla je biti po{tovana
u zajednici sa nekim drugim bo`anstvom.
Sa lokaliteta „ ^air“ poti~e i deo mermerne
statue koja se verovatno, nalazila u
svetili{tu ili ku}noj kapeli.
Kultovi Venere i Afrodite nisu
epigrafski potvr|eni. Brojne su likovne
predstave iskqu~ivo dekorativnog karaktera,
naro~ito Venus Pudica. Neo{te}ene
statue ove bogiwe ukazuju da su je, kao ideal
`enske lepote, prihvatili i hri{}ani.
Brojnost epigrafskih i ikonografskih
zaveta posve}enih orijentalnom
bo`anstvu, Mitri, ukazuje na veliku popularnost
ovog boga, naro~ito me|u pripadnicima
legije VII Claudia. Najverovatnije su
se u Viminacijumu nalazila dva mitreja od
kojih se jedan sa velikom sigurno{}u mo`e
locirati na brdu Sopot. Minijaturne
ikone ovog bo`anstva su stajale u ku}nim
kapelama u kojima se iskazivalo
po{tovawe razli~itim bo`anstvima. U
Mitrine misterije su mogli biti upu}eni
samo mu{karci, dok su `ene bile sledbenice
wegove vere, bez prava da budu
posve}ene. Stoga su `ene, kako smatra Q.
Zotovi}, postajale vernice solarnog para,
Sola i Lune. Potvrda za to su brojne ikone
tzv „ podunavskih kowanika“ sa konstantnim
i nepromenqivim mestom bogiwe
izme|u kowanika. Wihova brojnost, kao i
serijska proizvodwa u kamenu, bronzi, a
naro~ito, olovu, ukazuje na masovnost
The archaeologically documented high
levels of medical development are directly disproportionate
to the registered number of monuments
dedicated to the divine couple of patrons
of the medical skills: Asclepius and Hygia. Two
marble bases have survived which can be
ascribed to this cult based on the visible bodies
of snakes.
Lower-ranking deities, the Genii, had a
protective function. Three dedications related to
them come from Viminacium. One of the dedicated
went dedications went to the Genius of the
goddess Tyche and the second one to the Genius
of the place in the camp dedicated to rest and
gatherings. The only surviving word of the third
one is GENIO. The motif from the so-called
“Vimi-nacium coat-of-arms“, depicting a standing
female holding her hands over a lion and a
bull, the symbols of the province’s military, can
be considered to be part of this group. It is a
personification of the province or the city itself,
and the composition was copied from coins onto
plastic art in a local workshop (figure 132).
Three monuments dedicated to the goddess
of righteousness, Nemesis, mostly respected
by soldiers, dates from the 3 rd century, a period
of already predominating syncretism.
Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of fertility
and the underworld has been confirmed in
Viminacium with the attributes Augusta and
Conservatrix.
Judging by the discovery of an altar
which was part of a temple, Diana, the Roman
goddess of forests and hunting, might have been
worshipped alongside another deity. A fragment
of a marble statue, which was probably kept in
a shrine or in a house chapel, co-mes from the
lo-cality of “Cair“.
The cults of Venus and Aphrodite have
not been confirmed epigraphically. Visual representations
of these goddesses purely decorative in
character are numerous, especially the Venus
126 Q. Zotovi}, Olovne ikone sa teritorije Viminacijuma,
175-177.
175

vernika razli~itog socijalnog statusa (sl.
134, 135). 126 Zbog toga je u Viminacijumu
organizovana i proizvodwa ikona, {to je
potvr|eno nalazom kamenog kalupa (sl.
136).
Drugo orijentalno bo`anstvo koje je
ikonografski potvr|eno na dva spomenika
iz Viminacijuma, je sirijski Jupiter
Dolihen. Potvr|ena sirijska zajednica
doseqenika iz oblasti Dolihe, kao i epigrafski
zaveti, predstavqaju realnu
osnovu za postojawe hrama ovog bo`anstva.
Osim toga, Jupiter Dolihen je imao veliku
podr{ku imperatora iz dinastije Severa,
koji su u vi{e navrata boravili u
Viminacijumu.
Iz perioda III veka datira i kult
starog orijentalnog bo`anstva visina i
rata, Turmasgada, koji je ~esto,
izjedna~avan sa Jupiterom i bio po{tovan
me|u vojnicima.
Na jednom mermernom oltaru registrovan
je, za sada, usamqen zavet Deo
Aeterno (sl. 137). Sude}i po dimenzijama,
oltar je, verovatno, stajao u nekom hramu.
Pojedini autori smatraju da se radi o
bo`anstvu orijentalnog porekla iz kruga
solarne teologije. 127
U periodu III veka i izra`enog
sinkretizma sre}u se i pojedina~ne posvete
odre|enim bo`anstvima, ~ije ime i
funkcija nisu definisani. Tu spadaju
Domnus et Domna kao i Diis Angelis. Interesantno
i prihvatqivo mi{qewe Q.
Zotovi}, da se radi o a|elima kao vodi~ima
du{a, umesto ranijih paganskih bogova
(vetrova i orlova), {to je u skladu sa
hri{}anskom interpretacijom o odvo|ewu
du{a umrlih. 128
Pudica. The fact that there are surviving undamaged
statues of this goddess suggests that she
was also accepted by Christians as an ideal of
female beauty.
The number of epigraphic and iconographic
dedications dedicated to the oriental god
Mithras is proof of this god’s large popularity,
especially among the members of legion VII
Claudia. Viminacium most probably had two
temples of Mithras, one of which can be located
on the hill of Sopot with great certainty. Home
chapels, in which various deities were worshipped,
featured miniature icons of this deity.
Only men could be initiated into the mysteries of
Mithras, while women were allowed to be followers
of his religion without a right to be initiated.
According to Lj. Zotovic, this is why
women became worshippers of the solar couple,
Sol and Luna. This is confirmed by numerous
icons of the so-called “Danube horsemen“ with
a constant and unchangeable position of the goddess
between the horsemen. The numbers of
these icons, as well as their mass production in
stone, bronze and especially in lead points to
large numbers of believers of differing social status
(figures 134 and 135). 126 This is why there
was organized production of icons in
Viminacium, which is proved by the find of a
stone mould (figure 136).
Another oriental deity whose presence
has been iconographically confirmed on two
Viminacium monuments is the Syrian Jupiter
Dolichenus. The confirmed presence of a Syrian
community from the region of Dolicha, as well
as epigraphic dedications are a realistic basis for
the supposition that there was a temple dedicated
to this deity in Viminacium. Apart from this,
Jupiter Dolichenus was strongly supported by
emperors from the dynasty of Severus, who
127 Q. Zotovi}, Der Paganismus in Viminacium, 135
128 Q. Zotovi}, Promene pogrebnih rituala tokom pet
vekova istorije Viminacija, Saop{tewa XXX/XXXI,
1998/199, Beograd 2000, 15, 17.
127 Q. Zotovi}, Der Paganismus in Viminacium, 135
128 Q. Zotovi}, Promene pogrebnih rituala tokom pet
vekova istorije Viminacija, Saop{tewa XXX/XXXI,
1998/199, Beograd 2000, 15, 17.
176

Od tra~kih kultova, na teritoriji
Viminacijuma su zabele`ena dva bo`anstva:
Sabazije i Tra~ki heros (Tra~ki kowanik).
Tra~ki kowanik se javqa na nadgrobnim
spomenicima u funkciji psihopompa,
a na epigrafskim je izjedna~en sa
Asklepijem, Apolonom, Dionisom i Silvanom.
Kult Sabazija, tra~ko-frigijskog
boga sa misti~nim igrama i vra~awem,
{irio se i tokom II i III veka, koje
obele`avaju brojni isto~ni kultovi. Oni
su vernicima pru`ali nadu, da se putem
misterijskih obreda i ritualnih o~i{-
}ewa, mo`e do}i u vezu sa bogom i prevladati
smrtnost. Iz Viminacijuma poti~e
jedna kamena ikona ovog boga i dve ukrasne
igle sa kosu u vidu Sabazijeve {ake (sl. 84).
Dosada{wi nalazi iz Viminacijuma
jo{ uvek nisu pru`ili podatke o lokalnim,
keltskim i drugim rimskim i orijentalnim
bo`anstvima. Neistra`enost vojnog logora
i civilnog naseqa, ostavqa {iroke
mogu}nosti za upotpuwavawe saznawa o
religiji i kultovima, koji su bili prihva}eni
od stanovnika Viminacijuma.
stayed in Viminacium on a number of occasions.
The cult of the old oriental deity
Thurmasgad, who was often seen as an equivalent
of Jupiter and worshipped by soldiers, also
dates from the 3 rd century.
What is as yet a single dedication containing
the words “Deo Aeterno“ was found on
a marble altar. Judging by its dimensions the
altar was probably placed in a temple. Certain
authors believe that it was an oriental deity
belonging to the circle of solar theology. 127
In the third century, a period of pronounced
syncretism, certain dedications to certain
deities whose names and functions have not as
yet been defined. Domnus et Domna as well as
Diis Angelis belong to this group. Lj. Zotovic
has an interesting and acceptable opinion that the
deities in question were angels, in the function
of soul guides, instead of the older pagan gods
(winds and eagles), which is in accord with the
Christian postulate of the souls of the dead being
taken away. 128
Of Thracian cults, two deities have been
recorded in the territory of Viminacium, Sabazius
and the Thracian Horseman. The Thracian
Horseman appears in tombstones and has the role
177

178
137 a. @rtvenik, I - II vek
Altar, 1 st -3 rd century

Ju`ne nekropole Viminacijuma
i pogrebni obredi
The southern necropolises of
Viminacium and interment rituals

129 M. Valtrovi}, Iskopavawa u Kostolcu, 3-114; I, 2-49-
63; I, 3-89-104; I, 4-121-142.
130 M. Vasi}, Nekolike grobne konstrukcije iz
Viminacijuma, Starinar, n.r. II (1907, 66-98).
Prve podatke o viminacijumskim
nekropolama zabele`io je daleke 1882.
godine M. Valtrovi}, koji je pri tom, registrovao
i „ te{ka razarawa“ ovog
lokaliteta. Naro~ito su na udaru bili
grobovi i „ dragocenosti“ u wima, a na
ceni je bila i vrlo tra`ena rimska opeka,
koja je prodavana po komadu. U odnosu na
vojni logor i naseqe, M. Valtrovi} je
grubo izdvojio teritorije severnih,
ju`nih, isto~nih i zapadnih nekropola. 129
Iscrpnu analizu grobnih oblika sa
viminacijumskih nekropola izvr{io je
prof. M. Vasi} 1907. g. 130
Posleratna istra`ivawa zapo~eta
1973. g. i slu~ajni nalazi grobova,
potvrdili su zakqu~ke prvih istra`iva~a.
Zapadno od logora i naseqa, postojawe
nekropole je registrovano na osnovu tragova.
Na levoj obali Mlave, u s . Kostolcu,
prilikom gra|evinskih radova, nailazilo
se na zidane grobne konstrukcije i mermerne
sarkofage.
Gra|ewem termoelektrane „ Kostolac
B“, ugro`ena je teritorija ju`nih
nekropola. Obimni istra`iva~ki radovi
za{titnog karaktera trajali su od 1977-
1992. g. U tom periodu je istra`eno blizu
13.000 grobova, u kojima je sahraweno vi{e
od 30 000 qudi. Osim nekropole iz bronzanog,
latenskog i sredwovekovnog perioda,
izdvojeno je sedam nekropola u hronoof
a psychopomp, whereas in epigraphic monuments
he is the equivalent of Asclepius. Apollo,
Dionysus and Sylvan. The cult of Sabazius, a
Thracian and Phrygian god with its mystical
dances and chanting, was spreading during the
2 nd and 3 rd centuries, which were marked by
numerous eastern cults. They offered their
believers the hope that a connection with gods
can be established and mortality overcome by
mystical rituals and ritual purification. A stone
icon of this god and two decorative hairpins
shaped like Sabazius’ hand have been uncovered
in Viminacium (figure 84).
To date, finds in Viminacium have not
yielded any data of local, Celtic and other
Roman and Oriental deities. The fact that the
military camp and the civilian settlement have
not been fully examined leaves broad opportunities
for a more thorough knowledge of the religion
and cults accepted by the population of
Viminacium.
129 M. Valtrovi}, Iskopavawa u Kostolcu, 3-114; I, 2-49-
63; I, 3-89-104; I, 4-121-142.
130 M. Vasi}, Nekolike grobne konstrukcije iz
Viminacijuma, Starinar, n.r. II (1907, 66-98).
131 Q. Zotovi}, Ju`ne nekropole Viminacija i pogrebni
obredi, VIMINACIVM 1, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1986, 41-
55; Q. Zotovi}, Promene pogrebnih rituala tokom
pet vekova istorije Viminacija, 7-17; Q. Zotovi}, ^.
Jordovi}, op.cit., 1-110.
181

138. Plan Viminacijuma i nekropola, M. Mirkovi}, Viminacium et Margum, IMS, Vol. II, Beograd 1986.
Map of Viminacium and its necropolis; M. Mirkovi}, Viminacium et Margum, IMS, Vol. II, Beograd 1986.
lo{kom rasponu od sredine I do sredine VI
veka. 131 Od sredine I do sredine III veka,
paralelno se primewuju kremirawe i inhumirawe
pokojnika. Od sredine III do sredine
V veka, obi~aj kremacije se definitivno
gubi, tako da se formiraju nekro-
131
Q. Zotovi}, Ju`ne nekropole Viminacija i pogrebni
obredi, VIMINACIVM 1, ZRNM, Po`arevac 1986, 41-55;
Q. Zotovi}, Promene pogrebnih rituala tokom pet
vekova istorije Viminacija, 7-17; Q. Zotovi}, ^.
Jordovi}, op.cit., 1-110.
The first records of Viminacium
necropolises were made by M Valtrovic in the
distant year of 1882. On this occasion he noticed
“heavy destruction“ of this site. The graves and
the “valuables“ they contained were particularly
aimed at, and Roman tiles, sold by the piece,
were in great demand. M. Valtrovic roughly
divided the necropolises into northern, southern,
eastern and western. 129
Professor M. Vasic conducted a
detailed analysis of the grave forms found in
Viminacium necropolises in the year 1907. 130
Excavations initiated in 1973 and random
182

139.
pole sa raznovrsnim grobnim konstrukcijama.
Inhumirawe i kremirawe karakteri{u
gotovo identi~ni pogrebni rituali.
Inhumacije su vr{ene u obi~nim grobnim
rakama, re|e u drvenim kov~ezima.
Pokojnici su nekad umotani u laneni
pokrov, a nekad su pokriveni daskom. Deca
su iskqu~ivo sahrawivana, naj~e{}e u
drvenim kov~ezima (sl. 139, 140). Kremirani
pokojnici su sahrawivani u grobnim
rakama koje su bile zape~ene vatrom.
Prilikom kremacije, telo pokojnika je na
nosiqci ili u kov~egu odno{eno do
loma~e, na kojoj se vr{ilo spaqivawe
zajedno sa predmetima koje je pokojnik
upotrebqavao. Znatno su re|e sahrane u
urnama, u koje su polagane isprane kosti
pokojnika. Posle polagawa pokojnika ili
kremiranih ostataka u grobnu raku, polagrave
finds have confirmed the conclusions of
the early researchers. Based on traces the existence
of a necropolis was detected to the west of
the camp and the settlement. On the left bank of
the Mlava, in the village of Kostolac, built grave
constructions and marble sarcophagi were found
during construction works.
The territory of the southern necropolises
was endangered during the building of the steam
power plant „Kostolac B“. Extensive protective
excavations took place between the years 1977
and 1992. During this period nearly 13.000
graves were examined, in which more than
30.000 people had been buried. Apart from the
necropolis from the Bronze age, La Téne and
mediaeval periods, seven necropolises were identified
ranging chronologically from the mid-1 st
century to the mid-6 th century. 131
From the mid-1 st to the mid-3 rd century,
cremation and inhumation of the dead were both
183

140.
139.-140. De~iji grobovi II-III vek
Children’s tombs, 3 nd -3 rd century
gani su darovi za koje se smatralo da }e
pokojniku koristiti u novom `ivotu:
nakit, posu|e, `i{ci, novac i dr. Lampe su
obezbe|ivale svetlost pokojniku, a novcem
se pla}ao prelaz preko reke Aheront koji
je ~uvao ~amxija, Haron.
Nad grobovima inhumiranih i
kremiranih pokojnika vr{ene su teku}e
da}e, kao i pripreme obroka, o ~emu
svedo~e `rtvene povr{ine. Pogrebni i
postpogrebni obredi za oba vida sahrana
pokazuju jedinstveno shvatawe zagrobnog
`ivota. Grob je predstavqao novo
boravi{te umrlog koji nastavqa vezu sa
svetom `ivih. Ko nije bio sahrawen po
propisima, nije imao trajno boravi{te, a
wegova du{a je bila osu|ena na ve~no
lutawe.
Stanovni{tvo isto~nog porekla je
obavezno inhumirano, tako da su pri
used. From the mid-3 rd to the mid 5 th century,
the custom of cremation was definitely abandoned,
which resulted in the formation of
necropolises with varied grave constructions.
Inhumation and cremation were characterised
by nearly identical burial rituals.
Inhumations were done in ordinary grave holes,
less often in wooden caskets. The body was
sometimes wrapped in a linen shroud, and occasionally
it was covered by a board. Children
were buried exclusively, most often in wooden
caskets (figures 139 and 140). Cremated dead
people were buried in fire-burnt grave holes. At
cremation, the body was carried to the bonfire on
a stretcher or in a casket, where it was burnt
132 A. Jovanovi}, Rimske nekropole na teritoriji
Jugoslavije, Beograd 1984, 124-126; Burial wells were written
about by S. Golubovic in her magisterial thesis, which was not
published.
184

141. Grob-urna, I-II vek
Tomb-urn, 1 st -2 nd century
istovremenim sahranama registrovani
ostaci kremiranog i inhumiranog pokojnika.
Re|i vid sahrana predstavqaju grobni
bunari, dubine od 4 do 10 m, proistekli
iz ideje da se telesni ostaci {to vi{e pribli`e
Majci Zemqi. Pojedini autori smatraju
da oni predstavqaju keltsku
sepulkralnu manifestaciju, nastalu iz
verovawa u izvore i bunare, kao mestima
ulaska u dowi svet. 132
132 A. Jovanovi}, Rimske nekropole na teritoriji
Jugoslavije, Beograd 1984, 124-126; Grobne bunare je u
magistarskom radu, koji nije publikovan, obradila S.
Golubovi}
alongside the personal belongings of the
deceased. Urn burials were far less common. The
washed bones of the dead person were laid in the
urn. After lowering the urn in the grave, gifts
were laid into the grave which were deemed to
be of use in the deceased person’s new life: jewellery,
dishes, lamps, money etc. The lamps were
supposed to provide the deceased with light and
the money served to pay for crossing the river
Acheront, guarded by boatman Charon.
Libatio burial feasts and preparation of
meals took place on top of the grave of the
inhumed or cremated person, to which sacrificial
surfaces testify. Burial and post-burial ceremonies
indicated a unified view of the afterlife.
The grave was the new dwelling of the deceased
185

142. 142 a.
Do promene pogrebnih i postpogrebnih
rituala, a samim tim i do novih eshatolo{kih
na~ela, dolazi sredinom III veka.
Grob vi{e nije boravi{te umrlog. Du{a je
postala primarna, {to je zahtevalo weno
potpuno osloba|awe od telesnih ostataka.
Grob predstavqa neophodno mesto za osloba|awe
du{e. Inhumacija je stoga, postala
jedini vid propisanog na~ina sahrane.
Obavezna je orijentacija zapad-istok, sa
glavom uperenom ka istoku i izlaze}em
Suncu, shodno verovawu u ponovno ro|ewe
posle smrti. Nad grobovima nisu
odr`avane da}e. Sahrane se vr{e u
raznovrsnim grobnim konstrukcijama,
obi~nim grobnim rakama, drvenim
kov~ezima, kamenim ili olovnim sarkofazima,
zavisno od ekonomskih mogu}nosti
pokojnika. Luksuznije grobne konstrukcije
person, whose connection with the world of the
alive continued. Those who were not buried
according to tradition had no permanent resting
place, and their souls were condemned to eternal
wandering.
Members of the eastern-descended population
were always inhumed, so that there could be
cremation and inhumation type burials taking
place in the same given period.
Burial wells were a less common way of
burial. These were 4 to 10 metres deep and were
dug as a result of the idea that remains should
be as close as possible to Mother Earth. Certain
authors believe that these were a Celtic sepulchral
manifestation, originating in the belief in
133 Q. Zotovi}, Rano hri{}anstvo u Viminacijumu kroz
izvore i arheolo{ke spomenike, 59-71.
186

142 - 142 a,b. Grobovi III-IV veka
Tombs, 3 rd -4 th century
142 b.
imaju poluobli~asti svod i kori{}ene su
za sahrane vi{e ~lanova jedne porodice.
Najskupqi vid porodi~ne grobnice predstavqaju
memorijalne gra|evine. Osim
toga one predstavqaju svojevrsni vid
grobqanske crkve, jer je u wima odr`avan
kult vezan za pokojnika (sl. 143, 144).
U periodu hri{}anstva nije zabele`eno
odvajawe pagana i hri{}ana u
okviru nekropole, {to govori o visokom
stepenu tolerancije i veri u besmrtnost
du{e koja je zajedni~ka i paganima i
hri{}anima. Sahrane sa hri{}anskim
obele`jima su retke. 133 Skromne ili mawe
- vi{e luksuzne grobne konstrukcije sa
hri{}anskim obele`jima, potvr|uju da je
hri{}anstvo bilo prihva}eno od stanovnika
razli~itih socijalnih stale`a. Veoma
skup vid sahrane predstavqaju ranohri{}anske
oslikane grobnice. 134 U istorijskom
i slikarsko-umetni~kom smislu,
najizrazitija je grobnica sa Hristovim
monogramom na zapadnom, prikazima lova
na bo~nim i predstavom rajskog naseqa na
isto~nom zidu (sl. 145, 146, 146 a, 146 b).
Simboli besmrtnosti, paunovi, kantaros,
drvo `ivota, ~esta su tema viminacijumskih
slikara (sl. 147). Ve{to izabrani
slikarski i simboli~ki elementi izdvajaju
viminacijumske slikare kao izuzetne
tuma~e i poznavaoce hri{}anske interpretacije
smrti. To potvr|uje motiv spirale
na isto~nom zidu grobnice koja nosi
signaturu G-5464 (sl. 148). Dvodelna spirala
oslikana crvenom i plavom bojom simboli{e
sveukupnost `ivota, svetlost ovog,
i ~istotu i mir onog sveta. Istovremeno je
i simbol putovawa du{e posle smrti.
Ambivalentnu simboliku sadr`e crvena i
plava boja i u grobnici sa Hristovim monosprings
and wells as entrance points to the underworld.
132
A change in funeral and post-funeral rituals,
and thereby the advent of new eschatological
views, took place in the mid-3 rd century. The
grave was no longer the dwelling of the
deceased. The soul had become primary, which
demanded its full liberation from bodily remains.
The grave was the necessary place of this liberation
of the soul. Inhumation, therefore, became
133 Q. Zotovi}, Rano hri{}anstvo u Viminacijumu kroz
izvore i arheolo{ke spomenike, 59-71.
134 Ibid, 63, 64; Q. Zotovi}, Promene pogrebnih rituala,
15,15.
134 Ibid, 63, 64; Q. Zotovi}, Promene pogrebnih rituala,
15,15.
187

143. Memorijalna gra|evina, IV vek,
Memorial building, 4 th century
gramom (terenska signatura G-5517).
Viminacijumski slikari su, kroz ve{to
osmi{qene kompozicije uravnote`enog
ritma i psiholo{ko nijansirawe likova
postigli visok umetni~ki domet (sl. 34,
35). 135 Oni se igraju ~etkicom i bojama,
izvla~e}i linije sigurno, a obrise i senke,
lako, tek ovla{ nanesenim namazima
~etkice. Intenzitet linije se mewa, zavisno
od motiva: nekad je to sna`na linija,
135 M. Kora}, Late Roman Tomb with Frescoes from
Viminacium, Starinar XLII/1991, Beograd 1991, 107-122,
fig. 3 a-15; M. Kora}, Slikarstvo grobnica u Viminacijumu,
110-122.
the only prescribed form of funeral. The eastwest
orientation of the body was mandatory, with
the head facing the east and the rising sun, in
accordance with the belief in a new birth after
death. Funeral feasts did not take place on top of
graves. People were buried in various grave constructions,
mostly in grave holes, wooden caskets
or stone or lead sarcophagi, depending on the
financial means of the deceased. Luxury grave
constructions had a calotte-shaped ceiling and
were used to bury more than one member of a
family. Memorials were the most expensive form
of family tomb. Apart from this, they were a
kind of graveyard church, as they were used for
maintaining the cult of the dead (figure 133. and
144.).
188

144. Memorijalna gra|evina IV vek
Memorial building, 4 th century
(npr. ode}a pokojnice), a ~esto samo brzi
drhtaj ruke pri iscrtavawu nogu paunova,
drveta `ivota i vre`a sa srcolikim listovima
i gro`|em (sl. 149, 150). Dominiraju}a
ideja prelaza iz zemaqskog u onozemaqski
svet, dosledno je koloristi~ki
potencirana, naj~e{}a kontrastima crvene
i plave boje.
O~igledno da je u periodu IV veka, u
Viminacijumu postojala jedna od najzna~ajnijih
slikarskih {kola, koja je
slikarskim elementima, uspevala da izrazi
slo`ena filozofsko-teolo{ka na~ela
paganstva i hri{}anstva, pre svega, veru u
besmrtnost i vaskrsewe.
No separation of Pagans and Christians is
known to have taken place during the Christian
period, which speaks of a high level of religious
tolerance and of the belief in immortality of the
soul, which Pagans and Christians had in common.
Burials with Christian symbols were rare. 133
Modest or more or less luxurious grave constructions
with Christian symbols confirm that
Christianity was accepted by people of differing
social standing. Early Christian painted tombs
were an exceptionally expensive form of bur-
135 M. Korac, Late Roman Tomb with Frescoes from Viminacium,
Starinar XLII/1991, Beograd 1991, 107-122, fig. 3 a-15; M.
Kora}, Slikarstvo grobnica u Viminacijumu, 110-122.
189

Brojni otkriveni grobovi sa
velikim hronolo{kim rasponom, omogu}avaju
dono{ewe zakqu~aka o istorijsko-ekonomskom,
ali i umetni~kom razvoju
Viminacijuma, kao i o socijalnom statusu
wegovih stanovnika. Na osnovu wih se
prate op{ti rimski i ranohri{}anski
propisi, koji su se primewivali {irom
Carstva, a koji su bili po{tovani i od
stanovnika Viminacijuma.
ial. 134 Most notable in the historical and artistic
sense is the tomb with Christ’s monogram on its
western wall, with depictions of a hunt on the
lateral walls and with the depiction of a paradise
dwelling on the eastern wall (figures 145, 146,
146 a and 146 b). The symbols of immortality,
peacocks, a kantharos and the tree of life were a
frequent theme for Viminacium painters (figure
147). Skilfully chosen pictorial and symbolic
elements make Viminacium painters outstanding
interpreters and knowers of the Christian understanding
of death. This is confirmed by the motif
of a spiral on the eastern wall of the tomb
marked as G-5464 (figure 148). The two-part
spiral painted in red and blue symbolises the
entirety of life, the brilliance of this life and the
purity and peacefulness of the other world. It is
simultaneously a symbol of the soul’s after-death
voyage. The red and blue colours in another
tomb bearing the monogram of Christ (field
190

145. Hristov monogram, grobnica sa freskama (G-5517), IV vek
Christogram, fresco tomb (G-5517), 4 th century
191

192
146. Predstava raja, grobnica sa freskama (G-5517) IV vek
Heaven depiction, fresco tomb (G-5517), 4 th century

146 a. Scena lova, grobnica sa freskama (G-5517) IV vek
Hunting scene, fresco tomb (G-5517), 4 th century
193

194
146 b. Scena lova, grobnica sa freskama (G-5517) IV vek
Hunting scene, fresco tomb (G-5517), 4 th century

147. Predstava raja, grobnica sa freskama (G-5464), IV vek
Heaven depiction, fresco tomb (G-5464), 4 th century
195

196
148. Grobnica sa freskama (G-5464), IV vek
Fresco tomb (G-5464), 4 th century

149. Grobnica sa freskama (G-5464), IV vek
Fresco tomb (G-5464), 4 th century
197

198
150. Grobnica sa freskama (G-5464), IV vek
Fresco tomb (G-5464), 4 th century

Posle dugih, te{kih ali
uspe{nih arheolo{kih kampawa, delimi~no
smo osvetlili stanovnike
Viminacijuma, wihove obi~aje i verovawa.
Nekropole su nam u~inile prepoznatqivim
i bliskim viminacijumskog
~oveka, wegovo stvarala{tvo i otiske
na keramici, staklu, u mermeru ili metalu.
U wivama Stiga jo{ uvek ostaju
skriveni: vojni logor, urbano i suburbano
jezgro, radioni~ki centri i umetni~ki
ateqei, pristani{te, episkopija, autohtona
naseqa, rezidencijalni objekti i
dr.
Nakon 120 g. od prvih iskopavawa M.
Valtrovi}a i 100 g. od istra`ivawa M.
M. Vasi}a, oni za nas jo{ uvek predstavqaju
tajnu. Mnogo je pretpostavki
izre~eno samo na osnovu {turih istorijskih
izvora, podataka putopisaca i
prvih istra`iva~a, epigrafskih i nad-
After long and difficult, but also
successful archaeological campaigns, we
have partially shed light on the inhabitants
of Viminacium, their customs and beliefs.
The necropolises have brought Viminacium
man closer to us and rendered him recognizable,
as well as his creative work, his
traces in ceramics, in glass, marble and
metal. In the fields of Stig remain concealed:
the military camp, the urban and suburban
cores, the manufacturing centres and artists“
ateliers, the port, the bishop’s palace,
indigenous settlements, residences etc.
120 years after the first digs by M.
Valtrovic and 100 years after M. M. Vasic’s
excavations, these are still a secret to us.
Many hypotheses have been made merely
based on the sparse historical sources, writings
of travel writers and first explorers, epigraphic
tombstones and other archaeological
finds. They are yet to be confirmed by time.
199

grobnih spomenika i drugih arheolo{kih
nalaza. Wih }e proveriti VREME.
Budu}a arheolo{ka istra`ivawa }e nas
negirati ili potvrditi.
Bez obzira na to, iza nas ostaje
jedna nepobitna ~iwenica: u vremenu kada
se Carstvo osipalo i Balkan obnavqao, u
vremenu ekonomske i duhovne istro{enosti
i praznine, u Viminacijumu se ukazala
nit puno}e i stvarala~ka svetlost
umetnika, koji su ovekove~ili nevidqivu
granicu koja deli prolazno od besmrtnog
i uzvi{enog.
Future archaeological excavations will either
prove us right or wrong.
Regardless of this, an indisputable fact
stays behind us: in the times when the
Empire was on a decline and the Balkans
were undergoing a renaissance, in times of
spiritual burnout and emptiness, Viminacium
boasted a thread of plenitude and light of
artistic creation, which eternalized the invisible
boundary separating the ephemeral and
the immortal and sublime.
200

S A D R @ A J
Predgovor ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Uvod ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Viminacijum - glavni grad rimske provincije Gorwe Mezije .......................................... 11
Privredni i ekonomski uslovi ................................................................................................ 41
Zanatsko - umetni~ka produkcija ............................................................................................ 61
Lokalna kovnica novca .............................................................................................................. 147
Medicina ...................................................................................................................................... 155
Religija i kult ............................................................................................................................ 163
Ju`ne nekropole Viminacijuma i pogrebni obredi ............................................................ 179
C O N T E N T S
Foreword ................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7
Viminacium - the capital of the Roman province of Upper Moesia ....................................... 11
Economic conditions ................................................................................................................ 41
Arts and Crafts Production ....................................................................................................... 61
The local Mint ........................................................................................................................... 147
Medicine ................................................................................................................................... 155
Religion and cult ...................................................................................................................... 163
The southern necropolises of Viminacium and interment rituals .............................................. 179
201

GENERALNI SPONZORI
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(prevod Vedran Drowi} ; fotografije Stanko Kosti}, Mario Lisovski). - Po`arevac :
Narodni muzej = Pozarevac : National Museum, 2002 (Po`arevac : Kompromis dizajn). - 203. str.
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Na spor. nasl. str.: Viminacium : the Capital of the Roman Province of Upper Moesia. - Upor. tekst
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