engleski

Persistence of the Late La Tène Warrior Elite in the Early Roman Period in Southern Pannonia

The active role played by the Romans has always been emphasised in previous studies of the Romanisation process of southern Pannonia, while autochthonous communities were usually regarded as passive recipients of Roman culture and way of life. On the basis of available information and latest excavation results, one should certainly not underestimate the role played in that process by the elites of autochthonous ethnic groups, especially the leading class of the Scordisci. These elites were undeniably in contact with the Romans decades before the conquest and we may presume that many felt attracted to the Roman way of life. The ruling class, i.e. the warrior elite, in order to preserve its social position, wealth and real estate had to strike deals with the Roman invaders, who in turn had good reasons to rely on local forces in order to reduce the financial and manpower burden of the occupation. Burials of local aristocracy containing weaponry and prestigious goods clearly show their will to demonstrate the outstanding status they acquired in their society, and this practice was not to cease after the arrival of the Romans, most likely because their status was still exceptional. Local elites must have played a crucial role as far as recruiting of the allied or auxiliary units is concerned. Thanks to their support, the Romans managed both to control the native communities and insure the protection of the new borders. On balance, what must have started as a pragmatic deal between the Romans and the local ruling class, became the first step towards the transformation of Pannonia into a fully Romanised province which, few centuries later, would give birth to some of the staunchest defenders of the Roman Empire.

Late La Tène; warrior elite; Early Roman Period; southern Pannonia; arms; horse equipment; bronze vessels

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