Pannonia Superior

Pannonia Superior was a Roman Province located in the modern countries of Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia.

Pre-Roman history:
- Originally inhabited by the Pannonii who were probably an Illyrian Tribe.
- During the 4th century BCE Brennus with his Celtic Tribes arrived which included the Carni, Scordisci, and the Taurisci who remained there.

Acquisition by Rome:
- 20 CE. Pannonia became a Roman Province.
Timeline of this Province:
Under The Republic:
After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire:
- 6-9 CE The Great Illyrian Revolt
- 20 CE Pannonia was established as a Roman Province
- c. 103 CE Trajan split Pannonia into Pannonia Inferior (Lower) and Pannonia Superior (Upper).
- 166-180 CE Marcomannic Wars: Marcus Aurelius used Pannonia to launch his attacks.
After Diocletian’s Reforms of 297 CE:
- Pannonia Superior was divided into Pannonia Prima and Savia (Pannonia Riparensis).
- 314 CE Battle of Cibalae in Pannonia Inferior where Constantine I with 20,000 men defeated Licinius with 35,000 men, and went on to become the Roman Emperor.
- 378 CE Battle of Adrianople in Thracia.
After the death of Theodosius in 395 CE, and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
- Pannonia remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire.
- 448 CE Theodosius II ceded Pannonia Superior to the Huns. It was briefly reunited with the Byzantine Empire between 567-582 CE and called the Byzantine Province of Pannonia
Famous Persons from this Province:
Chief archeological Finds:
Historic Battle Sites:
Main Historical Sources for this Province:

Capital City:
- Carnuntum (Ruins)
Chief Cities:
- Vienna (Vindobona), Brigetio (until 214 CE when it was given to Pannonia Inferior), Sisak (Siscia), Ptuj (Poetovio), Ludbreg (Iovia Botivo), Daruvar (Aquae Balissae), Gradiska (Servitium), Scitarjevo (Andautonia), Szombathely (Savaria), Sopron (Scarbantia), Gyor (Arrabona)
Location Today:
- Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
- Pannonia Inferior (separated by a line drawn from Arrabona to Servitium), Noricum, Italia, Dalmatia.
Climate and Temperature Today:
- Temperate and Transitional Climate, part Mediterranean and part Continental.
- Winter: Westerlies bring mild wet windy weather. Easterlies bring Siberian cold air and snowstorms. Inversion Fog can last for weeks.
- Summer: Hot and humid with occasional violent thunderstorms.
- Winds: The Bora, a cold wind from the Northeast during winter
Main Geographical features:
- The Vienna Basin and The Pannonian Basin, Part of the Great Hungarian Plain.
- Forests, Marshes and Rivers.
Mountain Ranges:
Main Rivers:
- R. Danube, R. Drava, R. Sava, R. Arrabo

Province Type
- Imperial Proconsular
Governor:
- Proconsul
Tribes and Population:
- Pannonii were an Illyrian Tribe.
- During the 4th century BCE, Celtic Tribes arrived including the Carni, Scordisci, and the Taurisci
Language:
- Pannonian, Latin

Legions:
Vienna (Vindobona):
- Legio X Gemina (c.103-c.400 CE)
Petronell-Carnuntum (Carnuntum):
- Legio XV Apollinaris (14-115 CE)
- Legio XIV Gemina (106-c.400 CE)
Szony (Brigetio): Brigetio was reassigned to Pannonia Inferior in 214 CE.
- Legio I Adiutrix (83-344 CE)
Navy:
- Florentia, Arruntum
Defensive Works:
- Pannonian Limes
  - Part of the Danube Limes, a chain of Legionary Fortresses and intervening Forts along the south Bank of the Danube from Raetia to the Black Sea.
Main Threats:
- The Germanic Tribes.

Roads:
- Military Road
  - Following the Danube from Switzerland to the Black Sea.
Waterways:
- R. Danube, R. Sava, R. Drava
Ports:
- The legionary Bases of Vindobona (Vienna), Carnuntum (Petronell-Carnuntum)
Ancient Trade Routes:
- Amber Road
  - A road from the Baltic to Italy and the Adriatic via the Moravian Gate.
Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

Pannonia was a key Frontier Province:
- Inbound: it was used to block the Amber Road into Italy used by the invading Germanic Tribes.
- Outbound: The Emperors used Pannonia as a forward Base for their Operations against the Germanic Tribes.