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Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Ripa Pannonica in Hungary (RPH) Nomination statement
The first military survey of the Habsburg Empire at the end of the 18 th century, the so-called maps
of Joseph II, represented a significant new step forward in this development. Numerous archeological
remains can be found on these map plates, including many of the visible or likely traces along the Roman
limes. The officers performing the surveys marked quite a few earthworks (“Schantze”), old walls (“altes
Gemauer”) and ruins (“rudera”). It is well known that during the Napoleonic Wars new earthworks
were erected atop the Roman fortifications of Matrica (Százhalombatta-Dunafüred). It is for just this
reason that it is very important that the map naturally depicts the castellum of Matrica without these later
earthworks, quite clearly and precisely in fact.
Fig. 6
Almost as important in researching the structures of the limes was the second military survey as well, which
took place between 1806 and 1869. Quite a few Roman fortresses and watch towers can be discovered
on these plates, including a section of Brigetio’s aqueducts to the north of Tata, the fortress of Odiavum
(Almásfüzitő) further to the north and on the northern section of Csepel Island what is perhaps a Roman
fortlet.
In Érd the limes road climbed up to the top of the plateau for the most part along a ditch that cuts deeply
into the surface where the present-day Római Street runs. The path of the Roman road could be easily
recognized in the past, but this is only possible in certain places today. Its earliest known depiction is from
Sámuel Mikoviny.
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