Noricum

Iron Age polity (kingdom) in the eastern Alps, with its seat in Magdalensberg, Austria. The region comprised modern central Austria and parts of Bavaria. Earlier Illyrian in culture, the region came under Celtic influence from the 3rd century BC, and the name Noricum is thought by some to derive from the Celtic Norici centered around Noreia. Becoming a Celtic kingdom, with reasonably friendly relations with Rome, it became a province about 15 BC. With wealth derived from its mineral resources (iron and gold), it was able to develop a markedly Romanized culture (evident from Latin legends on coins and other Latin inscriptions). Five of its communities were made into Roman municipia by the emperor Claudius (reigned 41-54 AD), and the province supplied many soldiers for legions and the Praetorian Guard. The capital was at Virunum in the Klagenfurt area. The area was sub-divided into two provinces by the emperor Diocletian c 300 AD; Roman rule finally collapsed with German incursions in the 5th century. It was linked to the Italian peninsula through trade; mining and ironworking were important.

Roman name for an Alpine region, later a province, situated south of the Danube, roughly in the area of modem Austria. Earlier Illyrian in culture, the region came under Celtic influence from the 3rd century bc, and the name Noricum is thought by some to derive from the Celtic Norici centred around Noreia. Becoming a Celtic kingdom, with reasonably friendly relations with Rome, it was turned without resistance into a province about 16 bc. The new province fitted into a pattern, lying east of Raetia and west of Pannonia. The capital was now at Virunum in the Klagenfurt area. Governors seem to have been of middle (equestrian) rank, and commanded auxiliary troops. The area was subdivided into two provinces by the emperor Diocletian (c300 ad); Roman rule finally collapsed with German incursions in the 5th century.