Pages: 147-157

The authors attempt to trace archaeological evidence of Heruli, who were East Germanic federates in Eastern Roman Empire, whom Justinian settled along the border on the Danube River, near the fortress of Singidunum (modern Belgrad). According to Procopius of Cesarea, the Heruli's army numbered 4500 warriors, which implies that their total population could be up to 20,000—25,000 people. This number could not fitin a relatively small fortress of Singidunum, therefore, the Heruli must have occupied some other fortified localities in Northern Illyricum. Germanic necropoles of 6th century are known both in Singidunum and in the neighbor town of Viminacium (modern Požarevac). Judging by these finds, the Heruli were a mixed population, their culture combining elements typical of both Eastern and Elba Germans, such as Lombards and Thuringians. Such cultural heterogeneity is typical of early medieval barbaric military-political formations spread during the Great Migrations. Some finds in the same sector of the Danube border — North Germanic fibula from Kasiodol and a golden necklace from Udovice — confirm the account of written records about the contacts between the Heruli and Scandinavia.

Keywords: Heruli, Illyricum, Justinian, necropolis, Singidunum, Viminacium, Casiodol, Udovice

Information about authors:

Vujadin Ivanišević (Belgrad, Serbia). Doctor habilitat. Archaeology Institute.
E-mail: [email protected]
Michel Kazanski (Paris, France). Doctor habilitat of history. National Center for Scientifi c Research. University Paris 1/ Sorbonne.
E-mail: [email protected]