Chapters
Archaeologists exploring the site of the former Roman city of Mursa in present-day Croatia have made a remarkable discovery. At the bottom of an ancient well, they found the skeletons of seven Roman soldiers who died nearly 1,800 years ago. Recent research suggests they may have perished during one of the most turbulent civil wars in the history of the Roman Empire.
The gruesome discovery was made in 2011 during archaeological work preceding the construction of university buildings in Osijek. Only detailed anthropological and genetic analyses, along with dating the finds, allowed the history of these people to be reconstructed.
Bodies thrown into a well
Archaeologists found the remains of seven men at the bottom of the well. All were adults – four of them were between 20 and 30 years old, while the others were middle-aged.
Examinations revealed that the men died violently. Their bones showed evidence of severe blows to the head, broken ribs, and stab wounds, which could have been inflicted by spears or arrowheads.
Interestingly, before the bodies were placed in the well, they were stripped of their military equipment. No weapons, armor, equipment, or jewelry were found. Everything indicates that the fallen were robbed before burial.
Soldiers Suffered from Illness
Bone analysis yielded further surprising information. Scientists discovered traces of new bone tissue inside the chests of the deceased. Such changes are characteristic of chronic respiratory infections.
This indicates that even before death, the soldiers were struggling with illnesses that could have weakened their bodies. Living conditions in Roman military camps often facilitated the spread of infections, especially during long military campaigns.
Who were the mysterious warriors?
DNA testing revealed that the men were not from the local population living around Mursa. Their ancestry was diverse, which perfectly reflects the nature of the Roman army, which recruited people from various parts of the empire.
This further supports the hypothesis that the remains belonged to soldiers serving in the Roman army.
Radiocarbon dating and a coin minted around 251 CE found in the well. indicate that the men lived during the so-called Crisis of the 3rd Century – one of the most difficult periods in the history of the Roman Empire.
Victims of the Civil War?
Researchers believe the most likely explanation is the connection between the discovery and the Battle of Mursa, which took place in 260 CE.
At that time, Emperor Gallienus fought the usurper Ingenuus, a military commander who attempted to seize power in the empire. The rebellion ended with Ingenuus’s defeat near Mursa.
Historical sources indicate that after the defeat, Ingenuus died – according to one version, he committed suicide, according to another, he was killed by his own guards.
Archaeologists speculate that the seven men found may have belonged to the troops involved in this conflict. Their bodies were then thrown into a well, which became their final resting place.
Witnesses to the Fall of the Empire
The discovery from Osijek is a remarkable testament to the dramatic events that unfolded during the crisis of the 3rd century. This was a period when the Roman Empire was struggling with barbarian invasions, epidemics, military rebellions, and struggles for the throne.
