The Roman city Savaria in Pannonia Provincia

   I would like to invite you for a special journey. Today we will explore the Roman city called Savaria (later written as Sabaria). Now the city is called Szombathely. The modern city is locally identical to the Roman predecessor, so the archaeological research is not so simple. But Ottó Sosztarits, the main archaeologist in the area is tireless: he is a true lover of Roman times, history and a modern polymath.

  Savaria is an important station on the Amber Road, so trading have a huge tradition in the area.But first let's see where is this city!

google map on Hungary

   As you can see, Savaria is on the left side of the Danube. This is important, because the river Danube was the border of the Roman Empire: on the right side of the river there was the great Unknown Nothing, what the Romans called Barbaricum. At the LIMES or RIPA PANNONICA (the Pannonian piece of the border) ethnically mixed tribes lived, like Celts, Pannons, some Illyrs. urther in the province lived the Italian settlers: more Roman-like in their language and habits. On the tombstones from the Limes-region you can read Latin texts with quite many errors, but this is not typical in this area!

   The origin of the name is controversial. According to one idea it is originated from the Roman name of the river in the city: Sibaris (now it is called Gyöngyös brook). Maybe it's true, but nothing is sure! 

  Before the Romans this area was the centre of the Celtic tribe Boii and Eravisci. But this area has a long history, it was inhabited during the prehistoric times. There is a fantastic City Museum in Szombathely, if you visit the city, don't miss it! So in this museum there is a great collection not just about the Roman times, but also the prehistoric foundings! 

city Museum in Szombathely - worth a visit!

   Savaria, as it was located at the Amber Road, developed rapidly. First it was a horse-changing station, than a small settlement, and in 43 AD Emperor Claudius dedicated it to a COLONIA. The new name is COLONIA CLAUDIA SAVARIENSUM and the sacred boundaries of the city was marked. It was always a beloved province. Savaria lies at the foot of the Alps, not mountains, plain place but with the advantages of the nearby mountains. Aquaeduct was built, so people could enjoy fresh water. The remains of the first Roman aquaeduct still can be seen not far from the contemporary city. The water came from the river Sibarisom tepper reaches of the river, where the water flow is wider.

remains of the Roman aquaeduct - still visitable

   First Savaria was part of Noricum Provincia, Emperor Vespasian attached it to Pannonia Provincia. The first residents of the city were probably merchants from Emona. Because of this, Savaria is more likely an Italian city, as Aquincum. Veterans arrived from Dalmatia, from Verona and Italian provinces, and after the 2nd century AD Syrian military veterans were settled here. In the 1st century AD Savaria was the religious center of the Imperial cult. So this was the place, where sacrifices were shown to the Emperors, priests prayed all the Imperial Gods for wealth and well-being for the Emperors and their family. The ARA AUGUSTORUM PROVINCIAE PANNONIAE SUPERIORIS - the most holy altar of the province was here. This was the place for the annual provincial assembly (CONCILIUM), the affairs of the province were discussed, so Savaria is a really important part of Pannonia Provincia!

  Because of Savaria was a leader of the Pannonian cities, hosted several emperors like Domitianus, Valentinianus, Costantinus I and Constantinus II. Over time the ethnical composition of the population changed radically. Early Christians gathered here, a strong Christian colony developed in the city. The execution of Saint Quirinus (bishop os Siscia) probably targeted to deter Christians. It took place in the city, he was thrown into the river Sibaris (with a heavy millstone tied to his neck). Flavius Valerius Constantinus stayed for a long time in the city when he fought against the Sarmatian tribes (356 AD). And this city was the birthplace of Sanctus Martinus Turonensis! 

memorial statue of the Roman Times in Szombathely

 

 

  After cutting the provinces into pieces emperor Diocletian made Savaria the capital city of Pannonia Prima (at that time Pannonia had 4 provinces, not 2). This was the strongest period in the history of the city: theatres, baths, official buildings and temples were built. And this was the time when the huge imperial bath was built.

  After the death of Emperor Valentinian (377 AD) Barbarians began to invade Savaria. Huns attacked the city several times, but according to the legend, only Attila could occupy it between 441-445 AD. If the invasion of the Huns were not enouh for this weakened city there was a large earthquake in 456 AD. The Amber Road had cracked, and this fracture still can be seen in the reconstructed Roman Road. It caused a great damage, so people left the city and probably fled back to Italy. The last mention of the city is from 791 and 805.
 

Savaria, Amber Road

  Because of Oriental inhabitants the cult Mithras and Isis spred quickly. There is a fantastic Isis temple in the city, now visitable. After the excavation it stayed as it was found: mostly knee-high ruins. A few years ago Otto Sosztarits organized a total image change: the Iseum was totally built up, as an original one! There were heated debates about the topic: is it ethical to build up a ruin, that looks like totally new? I think there is still no agreement, but no matter how hectic are the debates, the new Iseum is the jewel of the city. And by the way, it's great to see how it could look like! Not all of us dug deep in history and architecture to see a whole temple in a few stones! So in my opinion it was a very effective work, became wonderful! Szombathely has an awsome Isis temple!

the Isis temple in Szombathely

   The current inhabitants of the city are proud for their Roman inheritance. There is an annual festival called Savaria Carnival in August, when the whole city takes a toga and celebrates the Roman times for about a week. With gladiatorial combats, theatrical performances, legio presentations, feasts. It is a very happy holiday, in every crooked alley you can find a poet singing Roman poetry or a gladiator! For me the most important part of the year, when you can be undisguised a Roman! For the finish, here are some pictures from this carnival!