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Studying the history of the Roman Empire at school sometimes gives the impression that the centre of the most important events was in Italy, the regions of Western Europe, possibly Greece and then Constantinople. However, in the course of the history of the Empire, especially in the times of the late Empire, from the 3rd century CE, other cities played an important role, and the events taking place there influenced the entire country. One of such important cities, and rarely mentioned in history lessons, is Sirmium.
The city was located in the Balkans, in today’s Serbia, in the autonomous province of Vojvodina, on the Sava River, the longest right tributary of the Danube. Currently, the town of Sremska Mitrovica, with a population of around 40,000, is located in the area of the ancient city. The Danube flows several dozen kilometres to the north, and Belgrade is located about 70 km to the east. Ten Roman emperors probably came from or around Sirmium. The favorable location on the border of the Empire on the Danube meant that the city became an important military camp and the headquarters of military operations carried out beyond the Danube. The large number of legions stationed also meant that the city was often a place of usurpation – the appointment of new emperors to the throne by the army. It was also the main residence of the emperors, who marked their reign by a large number of military campaigns. As a result of Diocletian’s administrative reform at the end of the 3rd century CE, the city became one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire.
History of the city until the 3rd century
In pre-Roman times, Sirmium was a Celtic settlement, and then an Illyrian one. During anti-Roman uprisings in Pannonia (Latin Bellum Pannonicum), around 14 BCE, the city was taken over by the governor of Ilyricum, Marcus Vinicius. After joining the Empire, the city developed rapidly, it became an important communication junction and economic center. By sailing the Sava River, on which the city was located, it was very easy to move from Italy to Singidunum (present-day Belgrade) and other eastern provinces. During the reign of the Flavian dynasty the city was granted the status of a colony of Roman citizens and was named Colonia Flavia Sirmium.
After the province of Pannonia was divided into two parts by Emperor Trajan, in CE 103, Sirmium probably became the capital of the eastern part – Pannonia Lower (Latin Pannonia Inferior). During the Marcomannian Wars (166-180 CE) Sirmium was the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius. It is probably here that the emperor wrote his philosophical work entitled Meditation. In Sirmium, Roman facilities were built such as the imperial palace, horse racing arena, mint, amphitheatre, theatre, public baths, temples, palaces, luxury villas and craft workshops.
From the 3rd century CE – the growing importance of Sirmium
From 235 CE, which is also considered the beginning of the crisis of the Empire, events were taking place in the Sirmium that were important to the fate of the entire Empire. It is during this time, from 235 CE until 284 CE reigned the so-called soldier emperors, often called Augustus in Sirmium. Some of them also came from its vicinity, enlisting in the army at an early age, climbing higher and higher in the hierarchy, eventually becoming emperors. As early as the fall of 235 CE Sirmium was the headquarters of Maximinus Thrax, fighting the Sarmatians and the Dacians. In 249 CE The Danubian legions chose as emperor Decius Trajan, who came from the vicinity of Sirmium, who appointed his sons: Herennius and Hostilian as his co-rulers. Decius and Herennius died in June 251 CE. under Abrittus in the fight against the Goths. Decius’s second son died a few months later as a result of an epidemic. Emperor Claudius II the Gothic was associated with Sirmium throughout his life. He was certainly from Illyricum, perhaps also from the vicinity of the city on the Sava River, coming from quite low social values. Claudius II defeated the Goths in the great battle of Naissus in 269 CE, which he owes the nickname “Gothic”. However, the victorious emperor died shortly after, in early 270 CE. – in Sirmium, and a few months later his brother and co-ruler Quintillus committed suicide.
After Claudius II in the legionary camp in Sirmium, Aurelian was proclaimed emperor – one of the most outstanding emperors of the 3rd century CE. Like his predecessor, he probably came from the vicinity of Sirmium. His reign (270 – 275 CE) was a series of successes, thanks to which the Empire slowly began to recover from the crisis. Another emperor associated with Sirmium was Probus (he ruled in the years 276 – 282 CE), appointed emperor in the eastern provinces, but he was born in Sirmium itself. The circumstances of his death were related to his hometown. Probus, trying to restore discipline in the army, forced legionaries to perform heavy physical work, which resulted in a decline in his popularity. The sol