Huszár Zoltán (szerk.): Kereszténység és államiság Baranyában (Pécs, 2000)
Tanulmányok - Katona Győr Zsuzsa: Az első keresztények a Dél-Dunántúlon az ókeresztény temetők tükrében - Sopianae
]\\í fkjSJ Chl(ÍS]ÍANS ÍN SOUjkEI^N JUANSDANUBÍA AS Ml^01(ED ÍN jliE EAIjl) Ckl^iSjiAN CEMEjEiyiES - SOpÍANAE Summary The cemetery at Sopianae holds a special position in the Christian archaeological heritage of Pannonia, for it was here, very early and prior to the days of systematic and professional excavation, that discovered crypts provided a catalyst for research in Early Christian history and archaeology. From the archaeological point of view Early Christian history in Pannonia must be divided into two phases. During the 2nd century and on several later occasions a number of people arrived in the province and elsewhere in Europe who held themselves to be Christian, as well as followers of other Eastern religions such as believers in the Mithras Cult and Jews. The reason for this, and for the process to continue, was on the one hand trade with eastern provinces and on the other, eastern military campaigns. This is why a number of individuals with Greek names are to be found among the first Christians to arrive from eastern provinces. It is possible that they did not arrive directly from the east, but only after a shorter or longer period in the Adriatic region. It is certainly not coincidental that so many similarities can be found between Early Christian remains found in Pécs and in Salonae (Croatia). I think here not only of the obvious similarities between the design and structure of the Early Christian mausoleum of Pécs and the Marusinac Basilica, but of the partly excavated arched tombs of the cemetery section to be found in Pécs's Apáca Street (the old Geisler Eta St.) and the similar graves to be found in the Late Roman cemetery at Manastirine, excavated there in their hundreds, while only a few in Pécs have been uncovered. We have no archaeological data of the earliest centuries of Christianity in Pannonia. At the height of the rule of Diocletian and even earlier persecution caused early groups of Christians to go underground, isolating them. In all events, archaeological material dates from a later period, after 313. After the well-known edict of Constantine, or more correctly after the Council of Zsuzsa Katona Győr Nicaea, Christianity became a state religion, and followers of the religion could distinguish themselves externally as well. Apart from architectural remains and those related to burial already known and others introduced in the present study, many inscriptions and symbols of a Christian nature can also be found upon Late Roman „small objects", functional objects and glass containers. Especially fine examples of this period include the iron diatretum with its Greek inscription at Szekszárd, the fondo d'ors at Dunaújváros and Dunaszekcső and the Sopianae drinking vessel with its engraved Grek inscription. In cemeteries, simple Christian inscriptions and symbols appear on tombstones usually otherwise bereft of ornamentation. In this period, that of the final geographical conquest of Christianity, pagan inscriptions and decorations are squeezed into the background. Written documentation informs us of the earliest period (1st, 2nd, 3rd centuries) of Christianity, albeit sketchily. Lives of the Saints, mostly medieval copies, mention Pannonias Christians and martyrs by name. Naturally the professional literature on Christianity in Pannonia could fill a library. Without wishing to provide a detsailed history of Christianity in the area, I will start with a brief summary. The second phase in the story of Early Christianity in the region took place in the 4th century, the period after persecution in which Christianity became aware of itself. In Pannonia, we know something of early Christian life from objects used in or referring to burials. Of the finds in Pannonia, the wealth of objects at the Late Roman Christian cemetery at Sopianae puts it in a special place. Since the discovery in 1716 of the first Roman crypt in the courtyard of the Jesuit school in Széchenyi Square (today the Cistercian order's Nagy Lajos Grammar School), the Late Roman, Early Christian cemetery has been familiar to archaeologists and the general public alike. Sopianae, as a Roman city and provincial seat, has been the centre of research since the nineteenth century. Since that time, more or less systematic excavation has taken place around both the cemetery and the town, the results of which have been published by the long list of eminent archaeologists who have participated in the diggings, in a long string of general and professional publications. This notwithstanding, there remain a number of open questions, not least the problems surrounding ethnicity with regard to topography and chronology. Yet it is natural that these open questions should exist. There are no data to suggest that 4th-century Sopianae was a bishopric, while at the same time the hundreds of graves that have already come to light - and we have no way of
