![stampbuttonb[5]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bs5uPi92srw/TlDssNV50lI/AAAAAAAADr4/N-ryUjMEppA/stampbuttonb%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800 "stampbuttonb[5]")
I had so much work to do this week, and more next week, that blog posts had taken a backseat. Before I get too engrossed researching about rapid detox for opiates
I am posting my entries for this week's Sunday Stamps. Viridian
mentioned last week that it is going to be a theme-free week so I had no
trouble in selecting what to post today.
Here is a fantastic cover from Slovakia. It has been with me for over a year now and almost forgotten had I not checked my postcards and covers boxes again the other day.
 |
| A twin issue from Slovakia and Austria. The above cover is the Slovakian issue of the souvenir sheet, while the Austrian issue is brownish in colour but with identical stamps and sheet. Click the photo for a larger view. |
This miniature sheet is part of a series of joint-issues entitled Limes Romanus - Gerulata and Carnuntum, launched in September 12, 2009 by the Slovak Post. The postage stamps show Carnuntum and Gerulata, two
significant Roman settlements which lie on either side of the two
countries’ shared border.
Before I begin, I hope you're ready for another learning experience. I've never enjoyed learning about history and the great battles that transpired then as I have now via the stamps I've collected. Who would've thought that stamps make good visual aids??
During Roman times, the Limes Romanus was a
system of military fortresses across Europe. Part of the system made
use of the River Danube to protect Roman provinces from attack by
Germanic tribes.
The most prominent fortress in the Pannonia province was Carnuntum, left, whose site is close to the present-day Austrian village of
Petronell. A Roman encampment was established there as
early as 6 A.D. and later promoted to a town. Its most famous Roman
monument is the so-called “Pagan Gate”, Heidentor in German, (shown in the stamp) that was
built outside the town in the 4th century AD.
The closest Roman camp to the east of Carnuntum was Gerulata, right, uncovered in the Bratislava district of Rusovce. A fortified
castel (i.e. a military camp) was erected here in the 1st century AD,
which became the base for a mounted unit. It was part of the Roman province Pannonia and built in the 2nd century as part of the Limes Romanus system. It was abandoned in the 4th century, when the Roman legions withdrew from Pannonia. The map shows roads in the territory of the Roman Empire from Spain to
India. In the 18th century, it was bought by the Austrian prince, Eugene
of Savoy, who gifted it to the imperial court library in Vienna (now
the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek). The map is included in the
UNESCO List of World Heritage.
Sources:Poštová filatelistické služby Slovensko
Sources:Poštová filatelistické služby Slovensko
I really enjoyed this post with the historical details and fine stamps.
Thanks for the history lesson. I enjoyed learning about the Limes Romanus.
Yes, thank you for all the information. I have not been to the Slovak republic - yet. For a map to survive so long is really amazing. thanks for participating today.
I always find old maps fascinating, a different view of the world. Great stamps, and interesting history.
I like the idea of these joint issue stamps. And the history lesson is much appreciated. I've always loved history, but you are right, these stamps help make it more interesting!
I think I prefer the lovely rich orange colour. Beautiful!