Virunum
Virunum was an ancient city located in southern Noricum, present-day Austria, near the river Glan. Originally of Celtic origin, it transformed into a Roman-style city around 15 BC when Emperor Augustus integrated the kingdom of Noricum into the Roman Empire. Virunum served as the provincial capital after being designated a municipium and played a pivotal role in the regional administration. The city featured a well-planned urban grid, highlighted by a forum, a Capitol, and a basilica, reflecting its status and importance during the Roman era.
Throughout its history, Virunum underwent various changes due to political and military dynamics, including a shift in capital to Ovilava under Emperor Marcus Aurelius and later to Teurnia after the city faced invasions by Germanic tribes and the Visigoths. Archaeological excavations have uncovered significant structures such as baths, a temple dedicated to Jupiter Dolichenus, and a theater, showcasing the city's cultural and social life. Despite its decline by the end of the sixth century due to Slav invasions, Virunum's remnants offer valuable insights into Roman urbanism and provincial life in ancient Europe.
Subject Terms
Virunum
(Zollfeld)
A city in southern Noricum (Austria), near the river Glan, a tributary of the Drave. Strategically placed at the crossing of north-south and east-west routes, Virunum has a Celtic name but became a city of Roman type when Augustus abolished the kingdom of Noricum (c 15 BC). Under Claudius, who organized the territory into a province, Virunum replaced Noreia (on the Magdalensberg) as its principal town (AD 45), becoming the provincial capital and a municipium, in possession of extensive territory in Middle and Lower Carinthia. When Marcus Aurelius (161–80) established a legionary fortress at Lauriacum (Lorch) to deal with the Marcomanni, the capital was transferred to Ovilava, though the imperial finance agent (procurator) maintained his office at Virunum. Archaeological evidence suggests German devastation in the time of Gallienus (260–68).
After the province had subsequently been divided into two, Virunum became the capital of Noricum Mediterraneum. Afterward it held the rank of an episcopal see. But renewed and repeated German incursions followed, and c 408 the Visigothic King Alaric probably maintained his headquarters in the town. Not long afterward the provincial capital was moved to Teurnia or Tiburnia (near Spittal), although Virunum continued to survive until the Slav invasions at the end of the sixth century.
Its forum was situated toward the eastern end of the urban grid plan, flanked at the eastern extremity by a Capitol in the center of an open rectangular space, and enclosed on the other three sides by a double colonnade. A basilica was added later at the opposite end of the forum; it is now in fragmentary condition. Excavations nearby have revealed a residential block and a multi-purpose complex including baths (from which numerous marble copies of Greek statues have been extracted) and a meeting place of adherents of Dionysus, adorned with a floor mosaic depicting the god and his followers. A temple of Jupiter Dolichenus and another, double, shrine have been uncovered. The town also possessed a theater (in which a bust of Hadrian [117–38] has been discovered) and a building resembling a curiously elongated amphitheater, or a stunted circus.
An abundant water supply was provided by a canal, fountains, and water pipes, and sewage was carried in pipes beneath the main road. A hill north of the town (Grazer Kogel) contained rectangular and apsidal churches and was eventually fortified.