Faustinus

Faustinus, who also can often be found as Faustinianus because of the Latin name, lived as a illyric toll collector in Passau in the third century. At that time, the Roman customs border was the Inn river and separated the provinces Rhaetia and Noricum from each other. For the control of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz they chose a conveniently situated place and named it after the celtic settlement Boiudurum, later Boiotro. The location of the customs station (statio des publicum portorii Illyrici) which was an organisation for the absorption of the long-distance trade within the Danube area, i.e. important stop-over for the long-distance trade, is supposed to be at the southern bank of the Inn river (Passau-Innstadt). This Roman border fort had a customs station, where Faustinus was toll collector and/or station leader. During an excavation in the fort his tombstone was found which is now used as a stoup in the church of St. Severin. The inscription was composed by his son Ingenu(u)s and by Felix, Faustinus’ former deputy. It shows "To the shadow gods! This tombstone was set for Faustinianus, administrator of customs, by his son Ingenuus and his deputy Felix, Centurio of the emperor`s slaves, in well-deserved sympathy.

It is not clear, whether Faustinus was buried in this place or whether the tombstone was transferred to this place afterwards.

translated by: Marion Wagner