Bononia Malata
Bononia Malata is an ancient fortress located on the Danube River in Lower Pannonia, which corresponds to modern-day Yugoslavia. Originally established as a settlement, likely with Celtic influences, it was strategically positioned to face the territory of the Jazyges, a neighboring tribe. The fortress was connected to a fort named Onagrinum on the opposite bank of the river by a bridge, playing a crucial role as the Danubian port for the nearby city of Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica). Archaeological excavations at Bononia Malata have revealed remnants of houses dating from the first to the fourth centuries AD, as well as bathhouses and an early Christian church, indicating the site’s importance throughout various historical periods. During the later Roman Empire, the fortress was garrisoned by legionary detachments, reflecting its military significance. After the fall of the province around 400 AD, artifacts from the migration period were also discovered, shedding light on the transitions the site underwent over the centuries. This blend of historical elements makes Bononia Malata a noteworthy location for understanding the region's ancient past.
Subject Terms
Bononia Malata
(Banoštor)
A fortress on the Danube in Lower Pannonia (Yugoslavia). To judge from its first name, it began as a Celtic, or partly Celtic, settlement. Facing the territory of the hostile Jazyges across the river, Bononia Malata became linked to a fort on the opposite bank, Onagrinum, by a bridge, and served as the Danubian port of Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica). The remains of houses from the first to the fourth centuries AD have been uncovered, as well as baths and an early Christian church. In the later empire, according to the Notitia Dignitatum, the stronghold was garrisoned by legionary detachments, until the province crumbled soon after 400. Objects from the migration period have been found.