Viminacium was under the Roman Empire, one of the most important cities of the province of Messiah (today the Serbia) and the capital of the higher Mésie . Viminacium was used as base camp with the Legio VII Claudia and it sheltered some time the Legio IV Flauia Felix. It was destroyed by Bleda, king of the Huns in 440.

The current town of Kostolac, on banks of the the Danube, is located near the old town of Viminacium.

History

The town of Viminacium was built with the Ier century on banks of the Mlava, with its confluence with the the Danube.

Under the reign of the emperor Hadrian, it accepted the title of Municipium and, in the middle of the 2nd century, it became the capital of the higher Mésie (Moesia superior).

Starting from the beginning of the 3rd century, under the Severe reign of Septime, the city knew a great economic prosperity. Under the Gordian reign of III, it obtained the right of coinage.

In July 285, took place not far from Viminacium the Bataille of Margus (Morava). Indicated as emperor by his soldiers with died of Numérien, Dioclétien there affonta the emperor Carin which lost the life there. This victory made it possible Dioclétien to sit its capacity on the Roman Empire.

In 440 and 441, the king of the Huns, Bleda, left to shift against the Roman Empire the East in Pannonia Seconde. It occupied initially Castra Constantia and captured Roman traders there, which caused the war. With the autumn, its army crosses the the Danube in Viminacium (Kostolac); Huns destroyed the city on their passage. They went then towards the west to occupy Margus (Požarevac), then occupied Singidunum (Belgrade) and took along its inhabitants in captivity.

At the 5th century, Viminacium was repopulated by the German people Ostrogoths. But the city vegetated.

At the 6th century, the emperor Justinien rebuilt the military camp. But the city from now on had lost its richness of antan.

The site today

The archaeological excavations put at the day an important urban complex, formed of broad streets, luxurious villas, public baths and of an amphitheater. This complex was recently opened with the public.

External bonds

• Official site of Viminacium

• personal Page on Viminacium
• Article on Viminacium
• Old coins of Viminacium
• Old coin of Different Viminacium site
• Project Viminacium

Internal bonds

• List of the Roman cities in Serbia
• List of the Latin names of the cities of Balkans