Bojan B. POPOVIĆ (Institute of Archaeology Belgrade, Serbia)
THE ROMAN BATH AT TIMACUM MAIUS – AN ARCHITECTURAL COMPLEX
Keywords: architecture, Roman bath, Timacum Maius.
Abstract: The area around today’s Svrljig was inhabited from the earliest days, which is confirmed by numerous prehistoric sites. This trend continued in the ancient period when the ancient road connecting Naissus and Ratiaria passed here. Based on the famous Roman itinerary, the Tabula Peutingeriana, it was assumed that the Timacum Maius road station was located in the vicinity of Svrljig, which would later be confirmed. The discovery of the remains of a Roman bath, as well as numerous movable finds, represented new evidence that enabled a closer determination of the way station as well as its confirmation. Also, numerous findings of bricks with stamps testify to the builders and the time of construction. The architectural remains of the building, which according to its dimensions belong to the order of smaller baths, represent a significant find due to the spatial organisation and the time of construction. This type of buildings, according to the spatial disposition of the rooms, their relationship and purpose, can be classified as military architecture with certain overlaps with civilian buildings.