At the time when Christ was born, the Romans discovered the strategic significance of the area of present-day Bratislava. They built here strategic military quarters which could also take advantage of the trade opportunities. One of the quarters was Gerulata /map and picture/ in the territory of the present-day village of Rusovce, which was an integral part of the defence system ‘Limes Romanus’ which separated the world of the Romans from that of the barbarian tribes.
Bratislava also has the Romans to thank for its fame as a town of vintners and wine-growers. During offensives, Roman legions, upon command by sovereign, extended the growing of vines and production of wine in all occupied territories. In this way wine-growing was introduced to France, Spain, Germany as well as to the area of Bratislava and its surroundings.