The military camp of Burnum had a special strategic meaning for Roman emperors, who made personal donations for building the amphitheatre as a sign of gratitude
The Roman archaeological site of Burnum has produced numerous dedicative and building inscriptions on which Roman emperors or members of the imperial family are mentioned, and historical sources note that some emperors personally visited Burnum on their travels to the eastern provinces.
It can be hypothesized that the Emperor Augustus and his successor Tiberius had stayed in Burnum at some point. Namely, a military post at the site of Burnum certainly already existed at the time of the military campaigns of Augustus (then Octavian) in Dalmatia, as did a temporary camp during the uprising of the two Batos, whose suppression was led by Emperor Tiberius, at that point a prominent military leader.
The importance of Burnum to the reign of the Julio-Claudian dynasty is further proven by the fact that Drusus Julius Caesar, the son and heir of Emperor Tiberius, also resided in Burnum, sent by his father to Illyricum to win the favour of the army and be introduced to military life. The Burnum military camp had a special meaning for Emperor Claudius, who was able to stay in power thanks to the Dalmatian legions. Legionnaires stationed in the military camps of Burnum and Tilurius played a key role in preventing Scribonianus from usurping the throne. This rebellion had far-reaching consequences in the province of Dalmatia. The Emperor Claudius, aware of the potential danger posed by the Dalmatian legions, tried to please the veteran and active soldiers by establishing veteran settlements, and awarding the honorary title of Claudius Pia Fidelis to the Dalmatian legions, along with extensive reconstruction of the Burnum military camp, which included an amphitheatre for the entertainment of the soldiers.
During the reign of Emperor Vespasian, the legio IV Flavia Felix was stationed at Burnum, which he himself had formed, giving it his family name – Flavia. An inscription found in the Burnum amphitheatre also dates from that period, testifying that the reconstruction of the amphitheatre was his personal donation.
Burnum was certainly also visited by the Emperor Trajan on his way to Dacia. The Dacian Wars, as his greatest military achievement, are recorded in detail on Trajan’s Column in Rome, where depictions of Dalmatian cities, including Burnum, can also be seen.
After Trajan, the Emperor Hadrian also visited Dalmatia. It is believed that he visited Burnum on that occasion. It is possible that he passed through Dalmatia on two occasions, the first time in 118 on his way back from Syria, and certainly the second time during his second major trip in 121-125, as proven by the so-called geographic or travel coin with the legend exer(citus) delmaticus. At the latest during Hadrian’s reign, Burnum received municipal status. Judging by the inscriptions, the terminus ante quem of that event would be the year 118. It was certainly necessary to have good connections in the imperial palace or to take advantage of a favourable moment such as an imperial trip for a not particularly large community to be declared a city. It can be speculated that an important role in this achievement was played by Hadrian’s best general, Sextus Minucius Faustinus Julius Severus, born in the colony of Aequum (Čitluk near Sinj). His brilliant senatorial career is recorded on an inscription erected in Burnum, and since he was honoured by the city council, it is suspected that the reason for this was his influence on Emperor Hadrian regarding awarding municipal status to Burnum.
