Bassianae was founded as an autonomouscivitas in the 1st century and existed until the 6th century. It obtained themunicipium status in 124 AD, while in 214 AD it was recorded as a colony. Initially, the town was part of the province ofPannonia, but due to the subsequent divisions of this province, Bassianae was included intoPannonia Inferior (2nd century) and later intoPannonia Secunda (3rd century). It was one of the more important towns in thePannonia province. During lateRoman Empire, the town was a seat of one high official -procurator gynaecii Bassianensis Pannoniae secundae. In the 4th century it had agynaecia[1] (Imperial woolen mill, showing the importance of the town[2]) and was a seat of theChristian bishopric.[3]
In the middle of the 5th century, the town was conquered by theHuns. In 468,Dengizich, the son ofAttila, devastated Bassianae, but suffered a major defeat after trying to capture the town during theHun-Ostrogoth Wars,OstrogothValamir came out victorious.[4] For several decades, the region was a scene of struggle betweenHuns,Ostrogoths,Gepids andLombards. In 510 AD, the treaty betweenEastern Roman Empire andOstrogoths divided the Syrmia region between two countries, and the town of Bassianae was included in the Eastern Roman state. When Eastern Empire managed to captureSirmium after the defeat of theGepids, the new province ofPannonia with a seat inSirmium was established and the town of Bassianae was included in that province. In the second half of the 6th century, the wholeSyrmia region was conquered by theAvars.[citation needed]
Today only a small amount of ancient town has been preserved. Archaeological excavations began in 1882 and were continued in 1935, when walls, towers, ceramics, coins, sculptures, and mosaics were found.[citation needed]
