Date: 11. September 2025
Time to read: 1 min
For about five centuries, the territory of present-day Slovenia was part of the vast Roman Empire. Before the Romans set foot on what is now Slovenian territory, it was inhabited by Celtic tribes which left an important mark on early culture and the economy.
Among the most well-known were the Taurisci in the Eastern Alps, the Norici in the north, and the Carni and Taurini in the Primorska region. The Celts brought ironworking, metal crafts, money in the form of Celtic coins, and the first urban settlements (oppida), among which the Magdalensko polje near Novo Mesto was well known.
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Slovenia lies at the meeting point of the Alps, the Pannonian Plain and the Adriatic Sea. The cities in Slovenia were not powerful, but they were important border and military hubs. Photo: innervision/Depositphotos.com
Arrival of the Romans and the emergence of cities
Roman expansion to the north and east began in the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE. In 129 BCE, the Romans defeated the Taurisci and other tribes along the northern Adriatic. Around 15 BCE, Emperor Augustus completed the conquest of the territory of present-day Slovenia. The area was then incorporated into the provinces of Noricum, Pannonia and Venetia et Histria.
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There were three important settlements in Emona (Colonia Iulia Aemona): Nauportus (Vrhnika), Carnium (Kranj) and Ig. Photo: Blaž Gutman
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The Roman town of Emona, now known as Ljubljana, was built according to a precise urban plan, complete with grid-like streets, forums, city walls and an aqueduct. It was a thriving centre for trade and crafts. Photo: wikipedia
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Emona was built on a rectangular plan, with perpendicular intersecting streets lined with houses, and a main square (the forum) in the centre of the city. The walls were rectangular, with 26 towers, and on three sides there was also a double moat through which water flowed into the Ljubljanica River. In addition to the four main entrances, the city had ten side entrances. Burial sites were located outside the city. Photo: Andrej Peunik
The Romans built roads, fortifications and colonies, which became centres of trade and administration in the territory of modern Slovenia. The most important cities were:
- Emona (Ljubljana) – founded around the year 14 CE, built according to a typical Roman urban plan with a rectangular street grid, walls, forums and an aqueduct. It had about 5,000 inhabitants, mostly merchants, craftsmen and military veterans.
- Celeia (Celje) – developed from a Celtic emporium and, at its peak, had around 10,000 inhabitants. Due to its wealth, it was called Troia secunda (the second Troy). The cemeteries along the main roads to the city were several kilometres long.
- Poetovio (Ptuj) – the oldest and the largest Roman settlement on Slovenian soil. It held the status of a colony and had about 20,000 inhabitants, which was more than Ljubljana had in the early 19th century. Poetovio was an important military, administrative, and trade centre.
- Neviodunum (Drnovo near Krško) – a trade and craft centre on the Sava River, with a river port, mosaics, sewer systems and a public bath.
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The Nutrices, the divine wet nurses, protected the health of children and were guardians of families. They were extremely popular in Poetovio and their roots reach back to the pre-Roman, Celtic world. All classes of the population turned to them for the protection of children. TIC Ptuj archive
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During archaeological research at Muzejski trg in Celje, part of a monumental bronze statue was found in the ruins of a 3rd-century building – a female foot in a sandal. Photo: Nina Sovdat/ Celje Regional Museum Archive).
The Romans improved the standard of living
The Romans brought a true revolution in lifestyle to these lands. Besides language, architecture and law, they also introduced new dietary habits.
From other parts of the empire, they imported wine, olive oil, sauces, spices and even perfumes. In exchange, our regions exported slaves, leather, furs and livestock.
In the eastern part of the empire, Greek was the dominant language, while Latin was spoken in the west, including the area of present-day Slovenia. Not only Jupiter, the chief deity of the Roman pantheon, but also other deities were worshiped, including Aecorna, a local goddess in Emona.
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The upper part of Ennius’ tomb from the necropolis of Šempeter, depicting the married couple Opidana and Quintus Ennius, together with their daughter Calendina. Photo: Celje Regional Museum Archive
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The Roman period in the territory of modern Slovenia is associated with a high standard of living in towns and cities, a high literacy rate and integration into classical culture. The most prosperous period was in the 4th century. Photo: Andrej Peunik
Did you know?
The underwater Roman port near Portorož – archaeologists discovered masts and wooden structures in the sea, an extremely rare find on a global scale.
A glass bowl with the inscription "Drink to live forever!" – from the Emona necropolis is a proof of the Romans' sense of humour and joie de vivre.
An untouched grave in Slovenska ulica in Ljubljana – with glass vessels and an urn, more than 2,000 years old.
More than 180 tombs at Emonika – a mass grave site revealing the burial rites in Emona.
Finds from the Battle of Frigidus (394) – weapons from the Vipava Valley tell the story of one of the most important battles of late antiquity.
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The marble monument was erected to honor the memory of Marcus Valerius Verus, who was the mayor of Poetovio in the 2nd century AD. The five - meter tall monolith is still standing where it was raised by the Romans. Photo: TIC Ptuj archive
Orpheus Monument in Ptuj – a monolith almost 5 m high from the 2nd century, dedicated to the myth of Orpheus.
Ad Pirum in Hrušica – a fortification with walls up to 8 m high and towers up to 10 m high, an essential part of the Alpine defence line.
Mithraeum in Ptuj – the only Mithraic temple in Slovenia, dedicated to the god Mithras.
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A marble statue of a woman in over-life size, considered a masterpiece of an ancient sculptor’s workshop, was made at the end of the 1st or the beginning of the 2nd century AD. Once standing on the main square – the forum – of Celeia, it was rediscovered in the Middle Ages and built into the wall of the entrance tower for all to see. Today, it graces the exhibition space Celeia – The Town Beneath the Town. Photo: Matjaž Jambriško/ Celje Regional Museum Archive
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A massive silver ring with an inlaid agate gem depicting Mars - the god of war - was discovered in the 1960s during water pipeline construction in Golobinjek near Podčetrtek. Remains of Roman buildings were also uncovered nearby. Photo: Nina Sovdat/Celje Regional Museum Archive
Rome in Slovenia – living history
Roman heritage is not just a thing of the past. Every year, festivals are held in Slovenian towns and cities to give visitors a glimpse of life 2,000 years ago.
In Ptuj, parades of legionaries and gladiators come to life, in Ajdovščina they reenact the Battle of the Frigidus, and in Ljubljana, at the family festival "Romans in Ljubljana" young explorers learn about ancient heritage.
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Poetovio was the largest Roman city in present-day Slovenia. It developed into an important military, trade, customs and administrative centre. The city flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Photo: TIC Ptuj archive
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During the Roman games Ptuj turns into the Roman Poetovia. Photo: TIC Ptuj
In Slovenia, Roman cities provide an insight into life during the empire - from great monuments to small personal items revealing the human side of history.
This is precisely where the charm lies: the Romans are not just distant history, but a story that we can still experience firsthand.
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Experience a magical journey back in time to Roman Emona at the free family festival Romans in Ljubljana. Photo: Blaž Gutman
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At the Festival the participants of all ages will be able to create and explore. Photo: Blaž Gutman
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Roman feast in Ptuj. Photo: Marcela Krničar/ slovenia.info
