Naslov
Claustra Alpium Iuliarum: A Late Antique Defensive System in the Northern Adriatic and Eastern Alps

Autori
Višnjić, Josip

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Poglavlja u knjigama, ostalo

Knjiga
Focus on Fortifications. New Research on Fortifications in the Ancient Mediterranean and the Near East

Urednik/ci
Frederiksen, Rune ; Müth, Silke ; Schneider ; Peter I. ; Schnelle, Mike

Izdavač
Oxbow Books

Grad
Oxford : Philadelphia (PA)

Godina
2016

Raspon stranica
492-505

ISBN
9781785701313

Ključne riječi
Claustra Alpium Iuliarum, defensive system, Tarsatica

Sažetak
One of the most impressive fortification systems in south-eastern Europe was erected in late antiquity in the territory of present day Croatia and Slovenia. It stretched from the Adriatic Sea at Rijeka in Croatia to the peaks of the Julian Alps in Slovenia. It was built to protect Italia from barbarian incursions from the direction of the Pannonian plain and Dalmatia. The Claustra Alpium Iuliarum, as it is mentioned in several historical documents, consisted of stone walls built at strategic points, in valleys, at mountain passes and so on. Strategic positions were defended by a series of speculae, small fortlets and castra. The initial idea of building the system was considered following the period of Pax Romana, in the mid-2nd century, motivated by invasions into the territory of the Roman Empire by the Quadi and Marcomanni. A special defence system, the Praetentura Italiae, was created with that objective and was intended to close off the most vulnerable access roads to Italy through the eastern Alps. In the 3rd century, when the Empire was threatened again, the older Praetenture defence system was restored by means of the construction of a firm defensive system of walls with camps and permanent garrisons known by the name of Claustra Alpium Iuliarum. In this period, probably as a result of the influx of numerous soldiers stationed in the town, Tarsatica – as the only town and the only harbour within the system – was developing rapidly. The construction was not limited to the monumental Principia – several other public buildings were also erected, including a public bath, and the town walls were renewed. But all of this could not prevent the destruction of the town in the late 4th or early 5th century when the Claustra was also abandoned. The system was built to defend Italia from barbarian incursions, but it appears to have been used more for battles between various pretenders to the imperial throne, and less for its original purpose.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Arheologija

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