Description:
<jats:p>Our contribution is focused on the analysis and interpretation of several
pieces of historical data regarding the Emona-Singidunum road along the Drava
River, from three important ancient documents: Itinerarium Burdigalense sive
Hierosolymitanum, Tabula Peutingeriana and Itinerarium Antonini. The key
question of this study is: can the Bordeaux itinerary bring more light to the
question of the sources of these ancient documents? If so, which method
should be used to prove this? Therefore, we decided to compare data from the
Peutinger map and the Antonine itinerary with those contained in the Bordeaux
itinerary, by discussing a sector of the Aquileia-Viminacium road, more
precisely, the route between Emona and Siscia. The objective was to see if
there are resemblances or differences between these documents. After this
comparative analysis of the three ancient sources, we reached some general
conclusions and observations concerning these documents. The most important
observation is that the structure of the Bordeaux itinerary along the
Emona-Singidunum route reveals a careful planning of the main Roman road
infrastructure during the 4th century A.D. (corresponding to the
reorganisation of the official state transport, cursus publicus) and before
this time. Why did the pilgrim choose the Emona-Poetovio-Sirmium-Singidunum
road (along the Drava River), which measures 398 miles, instead of the
Emona-Siscia-Sirmium-Singidunum road, along the Sava River, which is shorter
(approximately 340 miles)? We suppose the answer is based on the full
understanding of the infrastructure along the Drava River. This road could
provide better travelling conditions for those officials who travelled using
cursus publicus. However, we think the answer is based on another important
issue. Using the official transportation system, the pilgrim chose the
?official? road.</jats:p>