Belgrade is often said to be a city in Hungary, and many authors have described it in this manner. Yet, if we examine its position more closely, this statement is not fully correct. Belgrade is actually situated in the region historically known as Serbia, or in the area once called Upper Moesia. This location lies beyond the true borders of Hungary Daily Sofia Tours.
Therefore, although it was sometimes connected with Hungarian affairs due to political control and military influence, its geographical situation places it outside Hungary in a stricter sense. This confusion likely arose because borders changed often, and writers sometimes used political control instead of geography when describing lands.
The Origin of Saint Jerome
It is commonly accepted that Saint Jerome was connected to the region of Pannonia. This may be allowed in a broad historical sense. However, to say that he was truly a native of Hungary, in the strict meaning of the term, may be doubtful.
Saint Jerome was born in a place called Stridon. Many scholars believe that this place is now known as Stredon or Streyna. It is thought to have been located on the inner or western side of a river before that river flows into the Dravus (Drava). This region is generally considered to belong to Styria (Steiermark), not Hungary. Thus, while he belonged to the wider region of the Roman provinces, he should not be described simply as Hungarian by birth Introduction Veitz.
The Length of the River Sava
The Roman writer Pliny states that the course of the River Sava is one hundred and fifty miles long. However, this measurement seems far too short if we calculate the river’s length from its true source to its end. In reality, the river is much longer than this claim, and the given distance is likely only about half of its actual course.
This shows that even respected ancient authors sometimes gave estimates that were not fully accurate, especially when measuring long natural features such as rivers.
The Course of the Sava and the Drava
Another mistaken belief appears in the writings of Strabo, who suggests that the River Sava flows into the River Drava. According to his description, goods were carried by rivers that joined one another in this way. However, this is incorrect. The Sava does not flow into the Drava.
Instead, the Sava flows directly into the Danube at Belgrade. When it meets the Danube, the Drava is still about one hundred miles away. This makes it clear that the rivers follow separate courses and do not join in the manner described by some ancient writers.
Distances Given by Strabo
Strabo also gives distances between several important places, such as Aquileia and Nauportus (now known as Laibach or Ljubljana). He states that the distance is four hundred furlongs, or about fifty miles. Although this estimate may be slightly short, it is still within a reasonable range and can be somewhat accepted.
However, his statement about the distance between Trieste and the Danube is far less accurate. He claims that the journey was about one thousand two hundred furlongs, or roughly one hundred and fifty miles. In truth, the nearest part of the Danube from Trieste is closer to two hundred and fifty miles. This difference is too great to ignore.
Errors of the Ancient Writers
These mistakes should not surprise us. The ancient writers did not always have exact maps or accurate measurements. Travel was difficult, and knowledge of geography was often incomplete. Some even believed that the Danube had a branch that flowed into the Adriatic Sea, which we now know is not true.
Because of such limits in knowledge, their descriptions of distances and river courses were sometimes based on reports rather than direct observation. For this reason, modern travelers and scholars must carefully compare ancient writings with real geography in order to understand the truth more clearly.
