Calendar of Events

Carnuntum 333: Festival of the Late Antique Era

Date
-
Country
Austria
Era(s)

In the Carnuntum of the late 4th century, the situation has become difficult: an earthquake has damaged parts of the city massively, a part of the population has moved south to Rome and the frequent passage of large troop units makes life in the city uncertain.

The Dux is responsible to ensure order in Carnuntum: on the one hand, the Roman army, the veterans and families of the soldiers must be settled and supplied, on the other hand, Rome needs new soldiers to maintain the borders. Recruitment is on the agenda for this purpose. The Dux's negotiating skills are also in demand, as barbarians want to settle on this side of the Danube, within the Imperium Romanum. To ensure the general peace in the city, the Dux is constantly on the go with its staff and tries to represent the interests of the population.

Follow us into this exciting time, when the Roman Empire rose for the last time against the approaching decline and at the same time set the course for a new era. The reconstructed Roman Quarter of Carnuntum provides the perfect setting for this historic scenario. The buildings and equipment details are based on the appearance in the first half of the 4th century AD.

About 200 participants from all over Europe turn back time by 1700 years and spend four days living in the houses in the Roman quarter, as if time and world history had stopped around. Stroll through the Roman Quarter and become a witness to the history and daily life of the city of Carnuntum in late antiquity. Unlike traditional festivals, there are no demonstrations and planned spectacles, but the detailed reproduction of historical realities is the focus. The experience of the Roman everyday life and the surprising character of the activities make the visit an intensive time travel experience.

The Late Antiquity Festival offers a unique opportunity to get to know the Romans in a way that has little in common with common stereotypes. The days of the muscle armor and toga have been gone for hundreds of years, wearing trousers instead, and the soldiers are more reminiscent of medieval knights than the familiar legionaries of the early imperial era. The change of times and society is reflected in the clothing and equipment of the military.

In the Late Antiquity, every soldier has to take care of his own equipment.