Roman civilian buildings north of the limes romanus in the Danube lowland

Abstract

The thesis deliberates the existence of civilian structures built with Roman construction techniques in that part of the Danube Lowland outside the Empire which had unique contacts with the Roman provincial milieu of the first four centuries A.D. A geographical description of this area north of the Limes Romanus is followed by a detailed historical overview to serve as a framework for the interpretation of such buildings. The presented material includes all instances of Roman architecture from the time period in question, both in situ and inferred from secondary finds of construction material. The analysis sorts this material into two types of civilian buildings - villa-like structures, and smaller buildings. The former category designates those buildings that draw from provincial house architecture, and comprises structures built for civilian use during military campaigns (Mušov-Neurissen), facilities similar in function to the provincial economic system of the villa rustica (Stupava, Bratislava-Dúbravka), as well as probable residences for important figures of the Marcomanni and Quadi (Oberleisenberg, Cífer- Pác). The second, smaller type consists of so-called "buildings II" that were part of the abovementioned Germanic residence developments, buildings with composite roman-barbarian construction..