Evidence of Christianity in Viminacium: a study on historical sources, epigraphy, and funerary art

Abstract

The Roman city of Viminacium – founded in the 1st century AD along the Danube, right in the middle of the Balkan area – went through a period of intense development and prosperity during the second half of the 3rd century and for all the whole 4th century. Economic wealth and political importance of Viminacium during this period are the reasons that led to the establishment of a bishopric in the city, which is widely documented by many sources gathered along the middle and lower reaches of the Danube. These sources provide the name of some relevant bishops and may provide interesting information about Viminacium’s position in the religious controversy against Arianism. The first relevant information about Christian archaeology we can gain is the total absence of any find indisputably related to the Bishopric Complex in the city, or to any other building resembling urbane or rural churches. However, scholars have found some epigraphs, tombs, paintings and sepulchral buildings that represent indisputable evidence of Christians in Viminacium.