13 Facts About Singidunum

Singidunum was an ancient city which later evolved into modern Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.

Large part of Belgrade's downtown belongs to the "Archaeological Site of Singidunum", which was declared a protected zone on 30 June 1964.

Singidunum became an important and strategic position along the Via Militaris, an important Roman road connecting fortresses and settlements along the Danubian limes, or border.

Early Singidunum reached its height with the arrival of Legio IV Flavia Felix which was transferred to the city in 86 AD and remained there until the mid 5th century.

Singidunum outgrew this status and became a full-fledged colony in 239.

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Singidunum found itself on the limes of the fading Empire, one of the last major strongholds to survive mounting danger from the invading barbarian tribes.

Singidunum was damaged on a large scale for the first time in 378, by the invading Goths.

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.

Main town and fortress in the vicinity of Singidunum was Taurunum, modern Zemun, across the Sava, on the right bank of the Danube.

Singidunum fell to the Huns in 441, who razed the city and fortress to the ground, selling its Roman inhabitants into slavery, which they have done with all the cities along the limes.

Singidunum became an important border stronghold, however, Justinian rebuilt only the area within the former legion's camp.

The city remained under the constant attacks of the Avars and their allies at the time, Slavs 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.

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.