A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF POPULATION FROM THE EAST (HELLENIC-SPEAKING COUNTRIES) IN THE MUNICIPIUM ULPIANA IN THE SOUTH OF THE PROVINCE OF UPPER MOESIA

The paper presents the data regarding the inhabitants from the east (Hellenic‑speaking countries) in the municipium Ulpiana in the south of the province of Upper Moesia (Kosovo and Metohija). The occupation of Dardania and the establishment of the Roman province of Upper Moesia led not only to territorial but also to ethnic changes in this area, about which we are insufficiently informed. By conquering the territory of Dardania and establishing their authority over it, the Romans left a certain autonomy to its inhabitants, followed by urbanization and Romanization from the 1st to the 4th century. After occupying Dardania, there was a period of introduction of the local population into the Roman state-political order, as well as the organized settlement of colonists of oriental origin (Hellenic-speaking countries). The Roman administration introduced the local population in Moesia with a new period which brought new achievements to the conquered areas. Urbanization was carried out gradually, through the settlement of Roman citizens, the oriental population (Hellenic-speaking countries), and the served legionnaires, in colonies, followed by the promotion of native settlements to the rank of cities under Roman law, municipium. This process led to the integration of a significant part of the native population from the south of Upper Moesia (Kosovo and Metohija). A significant number of foreigners, settlers from the east (Hellenic-speaking countries) lived and worked in the south of Upper Moesia, primarily in urban areas. It should be noted that the majority of epigraphic monuments from the area of Kosovo and Metohija belong to Roman citizens who immigrated from the Romanized areas of the Empire. They mainly originate from the two largest city centers, Ulpiana near Gračanica and the Roman settlement near Sočanica, in the Ibar valley. Diverse archeological finds and epigraphic monuments shed some light on these processes in the municipium of Ulpiana.