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Singidunum (en serbio : Сингидунум / Singidunum ) fue una ciudad antigua que más tarde se convirtió en la moderna Belgrado , la capital de Serbia . El nombre es de origen celta , y se remonta a la época en que la tribu celta Scordisci se instaló en la zona en el siglo III a.C., tras la invasión gala de los Balcanes . Posteriormente, la República Romana conquistó la zona en el 75 a. C. y la incorporó a la provincia de Moesia . Fue un fuerte importante de las limas del Danubio y la Legio IV romana Flavia Felixestuvo guarnecido allí desde el año 86 d.C. Singidunum fue el lugar de nacimiento del emperador romano Joviano . Fue saqueada por hunos en 441 y por avaros y eslavos en 584. A principios del siglo VII, la fortaleza de Singidunum fue finalmente destruida. [1]

Gran parte del centro de Belgrado pertenece al "Sitio arqueológico de Singidunum", que fue declarado zona protegida el 30 de junio de 1964. [2]

Período celta [ editar ]

Origen [ editar ]

Las tribus escitas y tracios - cimerias atravesaron la región en los siglos VII y VI a. C. La invasión gala de los Balcanes se produjo en los siglos IV [3] [4] y III a. C. Una de las tribus celtas, los Scordisci , se asentó alrededor de la estratégica cima de la colina en el encuentro de los dos ríos (el actual Danubio y Sava ). Se les atribuye el establecimiento de Singidunum, que se mencionó por primera vez en el 279 a. C., como un asentamiento ya fortificado. [5]

Solo hay evidencia arqueológica limitada del período fundacional de la ciudad, ya que casi no quedaban rastros de la ciudad celta, a excepción de algunos sitios de entierro con ajuar funerario: las necrópolis encontradas en los lugares en los barrios modernos de Karaburma y Rospi Ćuprija . Estos contenían valiosos artefactos artísticos, que pertenecen a los guerreros de la tribu scordisca. Una considerable influencia cultural celta se ha tejido en la cultura espiritual de los habitantes de Singidunum, y luego se ha mezclado con elementos culturales clásicos romanos. [5]

La fortificación celta era primitiva, ubicada en la cima de la cresta de Terazije , sobre la confluencia del Sava en el Danubio, donde la Fortaleza de Belgrado todavía se encuentra hoy. Los celtas también vivían en asentamientos pequeños, abiertos y fortificados alrededor del fuerte, llamados opidums . [4] Dado que no se sabe con certeza dónde estaba el fuerte celta, algunos historiadores sugieren que estaba bastante cerca de las necrópolis de Karaburma y Rospi Ćuprija. Los asentamientos celtas pertenecían a la cultura La Tène . [6]

Los restos de la vivienda Scordisci también se han encontrado en los barrios de Autokomanda , Bežanija , Ada Ciganlija y Ada Huja . Zemun , antigua ciudad separada y ahora parte de Belgrado, también fue fundada por Scordisci, aproximadamente al mismo tiempo que fundaron Singidunum. También se encontraron pruebas de su vivienda en las aldeas suburbanas de Boljevci , Mislođin , Jakovo , Barič , Progar y Ritopek . [7]

Nombre [ editar ]

El nombre tiene celta dūn (on) "recinto, fortaleza" como su segundo elemento. Para singi- hay varias teorías, incluidas las de que es una palabra celta para círculo , aunque la única palabra con una forma similar registrada en otras lenguas celtas es el viejo irlandés seng "estrecho, delgado, guapo; hormiga" (irlandés moderno y Seang gaélico ), por lo tanto, "fuerte redondo", o que podría recibir el nombre de los canta, una tribu tracia que ocupaba el área antes de la llegada de los scordisci. [5]

Herodoto nombra varias tribus que habitaron la zona en el siglo V aC: Sighnis, Graukens y Sinds, que, tras los cambios lingüísticos de los últimos períodos celta y romano, dieron finalmente el nombre al asentamiento. Los Sinds eran una tribu escita de etnia maeotiana . Originalmente habitaba el área alrededor del río Kuban y el mar de Azov , una rama de la tribu se dividió en el siglo VI a.C. y emigró a las partes del sur de la cuenca de Panonia , con un grupo que permaneció en Transilvania., mientras que el otro se trasladó a la zona moderna de Belgrado. Las últimas investigaciones arqueológicas y lingüísticas mostraron que los Sind habitaron la región en los siglos V y IV a. C. [8]

Otra posibilidad es que se trata de un nombre compuesto cuya primera parte (Sin-gi) significa "oración antigua" ("sean guí" en irlandés moderno ), lo que implica que este fue originalmente un sitio de importancia religiosa celta, además de convertirse en una fortaleza (dun). Esto también encajaría con los restos de la antigua práctica de entierro celta allí. Sin embargo, etimológicamente hablando, esto es extremadamente improbable. La forma irlandesa moderna es en realidad sean-ghuí , y proviene del irlandés antiguo sen-guidi , siendo guidi de la raíz celta común guedyo- "rogar, implorar, rezar". Dada la edad del nombre Singidunum , la forma esperada sería algo así como * senogwedyodunom, latinizado como * Senoguediodunum.

Era romana [ editar ]

Flavius ​​Iovianus , emperador romano de Singidunum.

Los romanos comenzaron a conquistar las tierras que rodeaban a Singidun durante el siglo I a.C. En el 75 a. C., Cayo "Quinto" Escribonio Curio , el procónsul de Macedonia , invadió el interior de los Balcanes hasta el Danubio, en un esfuerzo por expulsar a los scordisci, dardanianos , dacios y otras tribus. Los romanos obtuvieron victorias durante estas campañas, pero solo se quedaron brevemente, dejando el área fuera del control romano. Por lo tanto, se sabe muy poco sobre estas operaciones o cuando el área se organizó en la provincia de Moesia . No fue hasta el gobierno de Octavio , cuando Marco Licinio Craso , nieto del Triunviro cesáreoy luego el procónsul de Macedonia, finalmente estabilizó la región con una campaña que comenzó en el 29 a. C. Moesia se organizó formalmente en una provincia en algún momento antes del 6 d. C., cuando se hace la primera mención de su gobernador, Cecina Severo. Singidun fue romanizado a Singidunum . Se convirtió en uno de los asentamientos principales de Moesia, situado entre Sirmium (moderno Sremska Mitrovica ) y Viminacium (moderno Kostolac ), los cuales eclipsaron Singidunum en importancia, y justo al otro lado del río Sava desde Taurunum, en Pannonia. Singidunum se convirtió en una posición importante y estratégica a lo largo de la Via Militaris, una importante calzada romana que conecta fortalezas y asentamientos a lo largo de las limas o frontera del Danubio . [5] Se conoció como Limes Moesiae .

Moesia Superior

El campamento militar original probablemente fue ocupado por los soldados de la Legio VIII Augusta desde el 46 al 69 d.C. El Singidunum temprano alcanzó su apogeo con la llegada de la Legio IV Flavia Felix, que fue trasladada a la ciudad en el 86 d.C. y permaneció allí hasta mediados del siglo V. La presencia de la Legio IV impulsó la construcción de un castrum (fuerte) de forma cuadrada , que ocupó la Ciudad Alta de la actual Fortaleza de Belgrado . La construcción comenzó a principios del siglo II d.C., ya que desde principios de los años 100, Legio IV Flavia Felixquedó estacionado permanentemente en Singidunum. Al principio, la fortaleza se estableció como baluartes de tierra y empalizadas de madera, pero poco después, fue fortificada con piedra como el primer fuerte de piedra en la historia de Belgrado. [9] [5] [6] [10] Los restos se pueden ver hoy cerca de la esquina noreste de la acrópolis. La legión también construyó un puente de pontones sobre el Sava, conectando Singidunum con Taurunum. Conectando de esta manera Via Militaris con las partes occidentales del imperio, Singidunum se convirtió en una encrucijada importante, no solo para las provincias locales (Moesia, Dacia, Panonia, Dalmacia). [5]La legión de 6.000 efectivos se convirtió en un importante activo militar contra la continua amenaza de los dacios al otro lado del Danubio. Otro paso que dieron los romanos para ayudar a fortalecer Singidunum fue el asentamiento de su legión de veteranos junto a la fortaleza. Con el tiempo, surgió un gran asentamiento alrededor del castrum . [6] El eje principal del desarrollo urbano estaba a lo largo de la moderna calle Knez Mihailova , que era la principal vía de comunicación ( vía cardo ). [10]

Adriano otorgó a Singidunum los derechos de municipium , [10] que fueron confirmados en 169. [6] Eso significa que tenía una autonomía local, estatutos y leyes. [4] Singidunum superó este estatus y se convirtió en una colonia de pleno derecho en 239. [6] El emperador romano Joviano , que restableció el cristianismo como religión oficial del Imperio Romano , nació en Singidunum en 332. Hoy en día, Joviano se llama popularmente como el "único emperador romano nacido en Belgrado", y tiene una calle en el barrio de Veliki Mokri Lug . [11]Singidunum y Moesia experimentaron un período de paz, pero eso no duraría, debido a la creciente agitación no solo desde fuera del Imperio Romano, sino también desde dentro. Cuando la provincia de Moesia se dividió en dos, Singidunum pasó a formar parte de Moesia Superior o Upper Moesia. [4]

La ciudad alcanzó su punto máximo, especialmente en lo que respecta a la cultura, en el siglo III. [4] El Imperio Romano comenzó a decaer a finales del siglo III. La provincia de Dacia , establecida por varias campañas exitosas y prolongadas de Trajano , comenzó a colapsar bajo la presión de los godos invasores en 256. En 270, Aureliano , ante la repentina pérdida de muchas provincias y los grandes daños causados ​​por las tribus invasoras, abandonó Dacia. en total. Singidunum se encontró una vez más en los límites del Imperio que se desvanecía, una de las últimas fortalezas importantes para sobrevivir al creciente peligro de las tribus bárbaras invasoras.

Aunque Sirmium siguió eclipsada, durante el siglo IV la ciudad siguió siendo un importante puesto militar. También se convirtió en sede del. obispado, [5] y fue un centro importante del arrianismo hasta finales de siglo, con sus obispos Ursacius y Secundianus liderando la resistencia local contra el cristianismo de Nicea hasta el Primer Concilio de Constantinopla en 381. [1]

Singidunum was damaged on a large scale for the first time in 378, by the invading Goths. The city was only partially restored after this event.[10] In 395, upon the death of Theodosius I, the Roman Empire was split into two, with Singidunum lying on the northwestern border of the Eastern Roman Empire (better known as the Byzantine Empire).[4]

Layout[edit]

Development of the settlement

The city was urbanistically arranged. It had a forum, temples, planned, structured and paved streets, aqueduct, sewage system, etc.[4] The town took on a rectlinear construction, with its streets meeting at right angles. The grid structure can be seen in today's Belgrade with the orientation of the streets Uzun Mirkova, Dušanova, and Kralja Petra I. Studentski Trg (Students' Square) was a Roman forum, bordered by thermae (a public bath complex whose remains were discovered during the 1970s) and also preserves the orientation the Romans gave Singidunum. Other remnants of Roman material culture such as tombs, monuments, sculptures, ceramics, and coins have been found villages and towns surrounding Belgrade.

The area covered by Singidunum spreads over the territory of 5 modern municipalities of Belgrade. Castrum occupied part of today's Belgrade Fortress. Civilian zone spread from the Kralja Petra Street, over the both Sava and Danube slopes, till Kosančićev Venac, extending in a series of necropolises from Republic Square, along the Bulevar kralja Aleksandra all the way to the Mali Mokri Lug.[12] Necropolis at Republic Square contained a well-shaped graves from the 1st century AD.[5] In general, the largest section of the civilian settlement was situated between the modern Simina and Brankova streets, and the Republic Square.[6] As for the Fortress itself, the rectangular castrum covered what is today the Upper Town of the Fortress[9] and the Kalemegdan Park.[10] The castrum had tall walls, built from the white Tašmajdan limestone and spread over the area of 16 ha (40 acres)[4] to 20 ha (49 acres),[10] being shaped as an irregular rectangle (approximately 570 by 330 m (1,870 by 1,080 ft)).[6]

The area between the rivers and the castrum, Sava and Danube's alluvial plane, was occupied by a suburb Lower Town. Located below the castrum, it was protected by the ramparts and towers. South of the fort there was another suburb, a civilian Roman town. Next to the Lower Town, on the right bank of the Danube, there was a port, which was operational until the 18th century.[4]

Modern Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra was a starting section of the 924 km (574 mi) long Via Militaris, which connected Singidunum and Constantinople, and in more local terms, Singidunum with fortresses and settlements along the Danube border of the Empire, like Viminacium. Built in the 1st century AD, the road was 6 m (20 ft) wide, with rows of shops, forges and arsenals, while Romans were buried along the road in stone sarcophagi. Archeological remnants of the Roman road can still be seen below the "Depo", former depot of the city's public transportation company. Majority of boulevard's course is part of the "Ancient Singidunum" archeological locality.[13]

The Romans were extracting stone from the quarry located in the modern neighborhood of Tašmajdan, using it for the building of Singidunum, and for many surviving sarcophagi.[14] An aqueduct used to conduct water from the modern Kumodraž area. At some point it was joining the aqueduct from the Mokri Lug and then continued further to the castrum. Both Mokri Lug and Kumodraž are hills, so the natural inclination allowed for the water to flow downhill to Singidunum.[15] The modern area of Cvetkova Pijaca was a location of three additional water systems.[16] Aqueducts passed through the modern center of Belgrade, Terazije, and the main pedestrian zone, Knez Mihailova Street, which was one of the main access roads to the city and today still follows the original Roman street grid.[17]

In the area bounded by the modern Karaburma, Rospi Ćuprija and, at that time island, Ada Huja, Romans cultivated grapevines and used thermal springs for public bathhouses.[18]

Suburbs[edit]

The main town and fortress in the vicinity of Singidunum was Taurunum, modern Zemun, across the Sava, on the right bank of the Danube. The Celtic settlement became Roman town in the 1st century AD and was later turned into the harbor for the Singidunum's Pannonian fleet.[19][20]

There are remains from the Singidunum period in the modern suburban village of Brestovik, to the east, with three localized archaeological locations: "Podunavlje-Hladna Voda-Vrtlog-Mikulje", "Beli Breg" and "Goli Breg". There is a Roman tomb in Brestovik, dating from c. 300 and discovered in 1895. Evidence points to the tomb of a wealthy local (a military commander or a high ranked Singidunum clerk who was awarded with an estate), but the popular belief is that Hermylus and Stratonicus, the Christian "martyrs of Singidunum", were buried there. Three monumental stones, heavy up to 2 tones each, were also discovered. Carved reliefs point to some large public building from before the 4th century.[21][22] Well preserved bust of emperor Macrinus (ruled 217-218) is discovered in modern village of Boleč, halfway between Belgrade and Brestovik, and close to the ancient Tricornium.[10]

Tricornium (Latin for "three-horned fortification"), modern Ritopek, had an important military camp Castra Tricornia. The name originated from three distinctive hills dominating the landscape, one of which sank or was simply washed away into the Danube later. The settlement gave name to the Romanized Thracio-Celtic tribe of Tricornenses. A 258 AD ceremonial breast plate with stylistic illustrations belonging to Legio VII Claudia soldier Aurelius Herculanus has been found[23] and many other artifacts of the Roman period such as silver coins that were washed ashore once the dam of the Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station was constructed.

Tricornium was one of the forts, built to protect the Via Militaris. Other forts include Mutatio ad Sextum Militare (modern Grocka) and Mutatio ad Sextum (Mali Mokri Lug).[5]

The top of the Avala mountain proved to be suitable for building, so the Romans built a fortified outpost, probably on the foundations of the older Celtic one.[24] Apart from guarding and controlling the access roads to Singidunum, the outpost was also important for the protection of the numerous mines on the mountain, which were exploited by the Romans.[25] They were extracting lead, zinc, silver and mercury, close to the modern Ripanj. The outpost was some 100 m (330 ft) below the top of the mountain.[24] The outpost was a base for the future medieval fortress of Žrnov.

The neighboring mountain of Kosmaj was also rich in ores which were excavated by the Romans. In July 2000, during the excavations for the new sports complex in the village of Babe, a spring was discovered in the valley of the Pruten Creek. In the process, a hidden entry into the vast complex of Roman mines was discovered, too, being obscured for centuries. There is evidence of the extraction of silver, iron and lead. In the 3rd century AD, the Kosmaj mines were one of the most important in the Roman Empire, and were administered by the Roman procurator Babenius, whose name is preserved in the name of the Babe village. In the 1970s and 1980s, experts from the National Museum in Belgrade explored the area and discovered many mining necropolis, centered around the villages of Babe, Stojnik and Guberevac. It is estimated that there are some 100 ancient mining shafts on Kosmaj, which go 2 km (1.2 mi) below the ground and are 25 km (16 mi) wide. After the Roman period, mining activities ceased, only being revived in the Medieval Serbia.[26]

In 1963, a tractor which was plowing the land in the neighborhood of Zemun Polje, in the vicinity of Školsko Dobro's central building began digging up on the surface the old coins, head of a sculpture, pottery pieces and numerous other objects. The National Museum in Zemun was notified and archaeologists examined the site. It was concluded that it was a Roman fort on the former Sirmium-Singidunum road. The previously unknown settlement was squarely shaped with the sides of 3 km (1.9 mi) and, at the time of discovery, was the largest known "outer suburb" of Singidunum.[27]

Byzantine rule and Migration Period[edit]

Ruski car Tavern at the corner of the Knez Mihailova and Obilićev Venac streets, which follow the original grid layout of Singidunum

In the 5th and 6th centuries, Moesia and Illyricum suffered devastating raids by the successive invasions of the Huns, Ostrogoths, Gepids, Sarmatians, Avars, Slavs[1] and Herules.[28] Singidunum fell to the Huns in 441, who razed the city and fortress to the ground, selling its Roman inhabitants into slavery,[4] which they have done with all the cities along the limes.[10] Over the next two hundred years, the city passed hands several times: the Romans reclaimed the city after the fall of the Hun confederation in 454, but the Sarmatians conquered the city shortly thereafter. In 470 the Ostrogoths seized the city around, expelling the Sarmatians. The city was later invaded by Gepids in 488, but the Ostrogoths recaptured it in 504. Six years later the Eastern Roman Empire reclaimed the city according to a peace treaty.

Byzantine emperor Justinian I rebuilt Singidunum from scratch in 535, restoring the fortress and city to its former military importance.[1][4] Singidunum became an important border stronghold, however, Justinian rebuilt only the area within the former legion's camp.[10] The city saw a brief peaceful period of about fifty years, but was then sacked with the arrival of the Avars in 584, though the Byzantines recaptured it in 596.[29] The city remained under the constant attacks of the Avars and their allies at the time, Slavs.[10] During Maurice's Balkan campaigns, Singidunum served as a base of operations, but it was lost again in the early half of the 7th century when the Avars sacked and burned Singidunum to the ground.[4] The destruction of Singidunum and the collapse of the entire Limes Moesiae by the Avars occurred before 614 when Avars attacked the town of Niš, south of Singidunum.[10] Around 630, the Slavs permanently settled in the area.[29]

Belgrade[edit]

After its fall to the Avars in the early 7th century, the ancient city ceases to be mentioned, and its fate on the subsequent centuries is obscure.[1] There are no available historical records which mention settlement on this location from the late 6th century to the second half of the 9th century. However, the Slavs settled the city during this period and named it Beligrad ("white city"), after the white Tašmajdan limestone, which Romans used to built the castrum.[4]

Its Slavic name was mentioned for the first time in a letter written on 16 April 878 by Pope John VIII to Bulgarian prince Boris I Mihail, as Belgrade was then part of the First Bulgarian Empire. The Slavic settlement obviously existed for a while as the new name was evidently accepted, while the city was a seat of a bishopric since the pope mentions episcopatus Belogradensis ("bishop of Belgrade"). Under the new name, Belgrade would eventually be restored to its earlier strategic significance, especially after it was reconquered by the Byzantines.[10]

Archaeology[edit]

Overview[edit]

Remains of the Roman castrum in the older layers of the modern Belgrade Fortress

Later development of Belgrade destroyed over 80% of the cultural layer within the today protected zone of the Ancient Singidunum, that is, of the civilian settlement and necropolises. Only three sections were dug, conserved and reburied: Akademski Park, Park Proleće and Tadeuša Košćuškog Street.[12] Of the remaining area, only a small part was explored. Northwest rampart with towers is explored to the higher degree, while the urban street grid and locations of soldier barracks can be deduced.[6] In July 2016 city administration announced the complete reconstruction of Studentski Trg and construction of the underground garage.[30] Construction of the two-level underground garage is criticized both by the public and experts, as the archaeological locality beneath the park has not been properly explored, historically or archaeologically, and now all the Roman and later Byzantine remains will be permanently destroyed. It was the first among the most important urban zones of old Belgrade and is especially important as the locality of ancient Singidunum which developed along the Terazije ridge.[31] The area of the square was described as having the deepest "cultural and historical sedimentation" in the city and as the original source of the urban culture of Belgrade.[32]

Downtown[edit]

During the digging of the foundations for the Monument to Prince Michael in 1882, tombs from different periods of Roman rule were discovered. One tomb was made from bricks, and there were 13 circular and 2 rectangle grave pits. Some of them are "well-tombs", named so because they are more than 10 m (33 ft) deep. The "well-tombs" are rare in these areas and it is believed that the custom arrived from Gaul. The brick tomb, which contained rushlight, was discovered close to the Čika Ljubina Street, while the other pits were where the monument is today. The materials found in the tombs include pottery fragments and vessels, pieces of terracotta and stone statues, fan-shaped floor tiles, bronze and bone needles, bricks, rushlights, etc. The pits were filled with ashes and contained animal bones. Coins and bronze rings, parts of the armor, have also been discovered. These "well-tombs" are considered to be the oldest part of the vast Singidunum necropolis, originating from c.100 AD, while the brick tomb is dated to c.400 and some of its bricks have a stamp of the Legio IV Flavia Felix. During the 2018-2019 renovation, two additional, devastated tombs were discovered.[2]

The southwestern necropolis, dating from the 3rd century, was located in the modern neighborhoods of Zeleni Venac, Kosančićev Venac and Varoš Kapija. The remains were discovered during the construction works in the 1930s when the Brankova Street was extended to the Sava river, to make a connection to the future King Alexander Bridge. At 16 Brankova Street a Roman tomb was discovered in 1931, with ceramics and coins from the period of the emperors Aurelian and Claudius Gothicus. The grave was made from the reused parts of stele. The sandstone plaque had a niche with a human bust and an inscription naming Valerius Longinus as a builder of the memorial for his son, a veteran Valerius Maximinus. There was another tombstone, crushed into pieces, dedicated by Maximinus' wife. Several other well preserved graves were discovered in the direction of the Pop Lukina and Karađorđeva streets. Further discoveries in the area during the Interbellum include a golden polyhedron shaped earring from the early Middle Ages (Great Migration Period), found in Kamenička Street. When the foundations for the building of the Medical Association were dug, more than 4 kg of the Late Roman coins were discovered. They originated from the 5th century. Some remains were also discovered during the 2018 construction of the hotel at 20 Jug Bogdanova Street.[33]

On the crossroad of the Gospodar Jevremova and Kneginje Ljubice streets, in Dorćol, a house of worship dedicated to the Greek goddess Hecate, a sort of "descent to Hades", was discovered in 1935. As foundations for a new building were being dug, a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) long architrave beam, with an inscription in Latin dedicated to Hecate, was discovered at the depth of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). The inscription was written by Valerius Crescentio, a legionary of the Legio IV Flavia Felix, in the service of the emperor Maximinus Thrax. It is roughly dated at c.235 AD. It disappeared after it was discovered, but was found decades later and handed over to the National Museum in Belgrade. It is one of the rare findings of Hecate in Serbia. Her cult wasn't developed in this area and she was mostly identified with the Roman goddess Diana, worshiped in the region as the protector of silver mines. The entire surrounding slope around the Gospodar Jevremova was a necropolis, so the temple was probably part of it, since Hecate's temples were usually built on the cemeteries. The beam ends in a step-like manner, so the temple was probably built in the Ionic order rather than the Tuscan order, which would be expected in Singidunum. Impressions of anta capital and their size on the lower side of the beam point to existing of two columns and a probable rectangular gable above it. There is a possibility, due to the terrain, that the temple was actually dug into the slope.[34]

The original earthen and wooden fort stretched around the Studentski Trg and Knez Mihailova Street. The oldest Roman graves were discovered in this section, dated to the 1st and early 2nd century. In the Lower Town section of today's Fortress, remains from the 2nd and 3rd centuries were discovered. They include thermae, residential objects and a shrine dedicated to Mithras. The forum, which included the temples of Jupiter and Nemesis, was located close to the Cathedral Church, where the modern building of the National Bank of Serbia in the Kralja Petra Street is situated. Another thermae were located in the Čika Ljubina Street. The entire settlement was surrounded by vast necropolises, while the main and the largest one stretched along the Via Militaris in the direction of Viminacium, today's Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra where numerous graves, grave steles and sacrificial altars were discovered.[6][10]

The northern section of the Academy Park, on Studentski Trg, was excavated in 1968 during the building of a furnace oil tank for the boiler room of the Belgrade's City Committee of the League of Communists located nearby. Under the lawn, the remnants of the ancient Roman thermae were discovered, including the frigidarium (room with the cold water), laconicum (room with the warm water where people would sweat and prepare) and caldarium (room with the two pools of hot water). The site became an archaeological dig in 1969 and 8 rooms in total were discovered, including the remains of the brick furnace which heated the water. It was a public unisex bath dated to 3rd or 4th century. The entire area of the park is actually within the borders of the "Protected zone of Roman Singidunum". It is situated in the area that used to be the civilian sector of the city, outside the fortress. The remnants were visible until 1978 and due to the lack of funds to continue excavations or to cover it with the roof or a marquee, the remains were conserved and buried again.[35][36] Remains of another thermae on the nearby Faculty of Philosophy Plateau are still visible and used as benches.[12]

In 2004 digging for the future shopping mall in Rajićeva Street began, next to the Knez Mihailova. Remains of the antique and late antique layers were discovered, so as the remains of the southwest rampart route and double trench in the direction of Kralja Petra. The trench from the 3rd century was buried and full of coins, lamps, ceramics and jars. Next to this locality, at the corner of Knez Mihailova and Kralja Petra, an area paved with the cobblestone dating from the 2nd century was discovered. It was a public space right before the entrance into the fortress.[12]

During almost every construction downtown where digging is involved, more remains are being discovered. In 2007, on the location of the former kafana Tri lista duvana at the corner of Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra and Kneza Miloša street, several necropolises were found. Just across, in Pioneers Park, there is Archaeological Site Pionirski Park. When the underground garage was dug, 19 tombs were discovered. In 2008 in Čika Ljubina Street remains of the house from the 4th century was discovered, which included the part of the floor and doorstep of the main entry door. Part of the walls was decorated with frescoes. Similar findings are discovered in the streets of Kosančićev Venac and Tadeuša Košćuškog. Also in 2008 remains from the late Antiquity were found, while at the corner of Takovska and Kosovska streets. Roman tombs were discovered. Remnants of the Roman castrum from the 2nd century were discovered beneath Tadeuša Košćuškog during the reconstruction in June 2009, they were conserved and reburied. In Cincar Jankova Street, five graves from the late 1st century were discovered so as three canals. Archaeologists expected to find a southeastern route of the castrum ramparts, but due to the mass wasting in the area and the leveling of the terrain, the route was destroyed in time.[12] Remnants discovered in Kosančićev Venac are actually remains of the luxurious villa, with the floor mosaic and walls decorated in frescoes.[6]

Outer neighborhoods[edit]

Pre-Roman artifacts, from the Late Iron Age, have been discovered in the modern neighborhoods and suburbs of Karaburma, Zemun, Batajnica and Ritopek. The Scythian styled pendant from the 5th century BC have been discovered in Ritopek, a representation of a stylized griffin's head with tentacles.[8]

Remains were found near Karaburma and Rospi Ćuprija, including necropolis (Horseman's grave 16),[37] rich in artefacts and parts of dunum.[5]

See also[edit]

  • Archaeological Site Pionirski Park

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Kazhdan 1991, p. 1904.
  2. ^ a b Politika, 6 November 2018.
  3. ^ Britannica, 2005 (Beograd).
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Stanković, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j City of Belgrade, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vujović, 2008.
  7. ^ Politika, 8 November 2018.
  8. ^ a b Politika, 18 May 2018.
  9. ^ a b Little encyclopedia Prosveta, 1986.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Popović, 2011.
  11. ^ Google Maps.
  12. ^ a b c d e Politika, 16 June 2009.
  13. ^ Politika, 21 February 2016.
  14. ^ Novosti, 7 October 2002.
  15. ^ Politika, 24 September 2017.
  16. ^ Politika, 30 October 2011.
  17. ^ Politika, 4 January 2017.
  18. ^ Politika, 15 April 2017.
  19. ^ Taylor 1878.
  20. ^ Levick 1999.
  21. ^ Politika, 13 August 2017.
  22. ^ Politika, 26 August 2017.
  23. ^ Virtuelni muzej Dunava, 2012.
  24. ^ a b Avala Mountain.
  25. ^ Politika, 30 October 2017a.
  26. ^ Politika, 30 May 2011.
  27. ^ Politika, 9 September 1963.
  28. ^ Serbian family encyclopedia, 2006.
  29. ^ a b Britannica, 2005 (Singidunum).
  30. ^ B92, 13 July 2016.
  31. ^ Politika, 30 October 2017b.
  32. ^ Politika, 4 November 2017.
  33. ^ Politika, 21 July 2018.
  34. ^ Politika, 15 January 2018.
  35. ^ Politika, 14 November 2011.
  36. ^ Politika, 27 May 2009.
  37. ^ ULBS.

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External links[edit]

  • Official Site of Beograd: Ancient Period
  • Official Site of Beograd: Byzantine Empire
  • Ancient Worlds: Singidunum
  • Belgrade Fortress: History
  • Inscriptions de la Mésie supérieure
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20100304221732/http://www.pks.rs/abc/Countryprofile/Belgrade/tabid/1136/language/en-US/Default.aspx[clarification needed]
  • http://www.beograd.rs/cms/view.php?id=201172[clarification needed]
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20091123101235/http://www.beogradskatvrdjava.co.rs/start/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=378[clarification needed]
  • Necropolises of Roman Singidunum