Epigrafcké pamiatky v Panónii v kontexte neskorej Rímskej ríše
Epigraphic Monuments in Pannonia within the Context of the Late Roman Empire

Summary/Abstract: This paper is concerned with general trends in producing epigraphic material within the Roman Pannonia province during the period of Late Antiquity. At the beginning, the relationship between later Roman epigraphy and Christian archaeology is defined. The number of Latin and Greek inscriptions in the entire Roman Empire is briefly described and, at the same time, the rapid decline of the epigraphic habit in the second half of the third century is explained. The quantitative information on epigraphic material in the whole Roman Empire is balanced according to Roman Pannonia. Specific attention in this paper is devoted to the typology of later Pannonian inscriptions. Four categories of epigraphic sources – funeral, votive, official, and Christian, are defined and described. In the context of the late Roman Empire and following its break-up in the area of the Pannonian provinces, it may be concluded that the production of inscriptions copied general trends in the Mediterranean region and in the border provinces of Central and Western Europe. Today, Pannonia is, from an archaeological point of view, still insufficiently explored and it may, therefore, be assumed that the quantitative and qualitative epigraphic data may yet still change. Epigraphic monuments in late antique Pannonia significantly supplement the meagre literary sources about this area. The notices show a changing security situation in the border provinces of the Danube, in connection with the barbarian invasions. They also illustrate the growing influence of Christian elements in late antique and late post-antique society, within the Middle Danube region.

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