CHAPTER 4
[GF]
Roman Vienna The political and economic development of the Danube region was strongly influenced by the Roman military. Up to the time of Emperor Trajan (98–117 A.D.), four legions were stationed in Pannonia to protect the northern border of the Roman Empire marked by the River Danube (Vindobona/ Vienna, Carnuntum, Brigetio/Sz´óny-Komárom and Aquincum/Budapest). In Vienna’s flat elevated area, the Romans found an ideal place for the construction of a 20-hectare large legionary fortress. They positioned the fortress in a way that the north side was protected by a steep slope to the Danube and the Ottakringer Bach formed a natural barrier to the west. The river and its harbour were important for the transport of food and economic goods that were supplied to the legionary headquarters. Supplies were also guaranteed through rural road connections, which were also necessary for the quick deployment of troops. An urban settlement quickly developed around the fortifications of the military base. It had a close relationship with the military administration providing space for shops, workshops, taverns and recrea tional facilities. The civilian settlement, grand country houses, and rural settlements were situated further away. Vindobona’s period of prosperity lasted from around the middle of the 2nd to the middle of the 3rd century A.D. Inscriptions and material evidence such as ceramics or parts of garments show that people from all parts of the Roman Empire lived in Vindobona together with the local population. The ravages of war, a devastating flood that destroyed large parts of the central settlement area, and a series of administrative and military reforms at the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th century A.D. all led to the population withdrawing into the fortress. Over time, the settlement waned in i mportance, and by the beginning of the 5th century A.D was of no significance whatsoever.
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