Editing Limes (Roman Empire) (section)

=== Pannonia ===
[[File:Limes4.png|thumb|Map of the Pannonian Limes with its perimeter defences]]

This stretch of ''limes'' was in use from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD and helped to guard the provinces of:

* ''Pannonia inferior''
* ''Pannonia''

The [[Pannonian Limes]] is situated on the territory of present-day Austria, [[Slovakia]] and [[Hungary]]. Although this section of the frontier was relatively well protected by the Danube river border or ''Ripa'', the Roman military presence here was always exceptionally strong (three military camps in Pannonia, but only one in Lower Pannonia) because especially after the abandonment of ''[[Roman Dacia]]'' in the late 3rd century, the pressure of migrant peoples from the east on this section of the ''limes'' intensified. The tributaries emptying into the Danube offered cheap transport routes, but also made good approach routes for invaders and raiders. The military camps were therefore built by the most important fords or confluences and road termini. The legion- and auxilia camps were mainly located in the immediate vicinity of the riverbank. The initial wood and earth structures, were systematically converted under Emperor [[Hadrian (emperor)|Hadrian]] into stone barracks and, in the 4th century, redesigned and massively strengthened in order to match new strategic requirements. The gaps between the camps were closed by a chain of watchtowers or signal towers. In late Roman times huge [[Limes Pannonicus|inland camps]] were built and towns in the hinterland were fortified to create a second line of defence. In addition, at vulnerable points, units of the Danube fleet were stationed. In the time of Emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] the first mention is made in Pannonia of stone watchtowers (''[[burgus|burgi]]'', panelled towers and fortlets (''praesidia''). In late antiquity, the Pannonian military district was divided into two parts (''pars inferior'' and ''pars superior'').<ref name="ND occ.: XXXIV"/> Advance defences were provided by bridgehead camps (e.g. ''Castra [[Contra Aquincum]]'' or ''[[Celemantia]]'') and military stations on main transport routes in the ''[[Barbaricum]]'' (e.g. near Musov).
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