Page 35 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

INTRODUCING CRO A TIA  33

THE HISTORY OF

CROATIA

Situated between eastern and western Europe, Croatia has long been a land
of passage but also a point of contact between different worlds and cultures.
Diverse events and cultural influences have all contributed to the country’s
history. Croatia is particularly proud of its close ties to the West; for more
than a century, parts of the country struggled to free themselves from harsh
Turkish domination. The history of Croatia goes back almost as far as man’s
first appearance on earth.

Prehistory The Celts
Early in the 19th century ancient human In the 4th century BC, the Celts began
remains were found at Krapina in the north to search for new lands when Gaul
of Croatia. Dating from the Neander thal became overpopulated. Some tribes
period, “Krapina man” places human followed the River Danube to present-
presence in Croatia in the middle- day Bohemia; some went as far as the
Palaeolithic. Other traces of prehistoric Greek border. In the same period the
cultures have been found in Croatia. The Greeks founded fortified colonies
richest site is probably Vučedol, near on some Dalmatian islands, including
Vukovar, where the Neolithic “Vučedol Vis and Hvar and in the area of Trogir
Dove” (see p192) was found. and Salona. Greek historians claim the
Celts fought against Alexander the
The Illyrians Great in 335 BC on the southern banks
Around 1200 BC, tribes of Indo-European of the Danube. A century later, they
origin settled on the Pannonian Plain, attacked Delphi and on their return
the larger islands and along the coast. stopped at the Paludes Volcae, an area
The tribes had different names between the rivers Sava, Drava and
(Istrians, Liburnians, Dalmatians, Japods) Danube. These people were called
depending on where they settled, but Scordisci and mixed with the Illyrians.
the area was known under one name, The Celts and Illyrians were defeated by
Illyria. They traded amber and had the Romans in the 2nd century BC. After
dealings with other Mediterranean people a number of rebellions, some people
and northern European traders. Traces were expelled, but those remaining
of ancient walls on some hilltops adopted their conquerors’ customs and
confirm their presence. became thoroughly Roman.

50,000–30,000 BC
Homo sapiens Krapina man, dating 1200 BC Illyrian 279 BC Celts, now
neanderthalensis from the middle- settlement in settled in the Balkans,
lives at Krapina Palaeolithic the Balkans defeat the Greeks
6500 BC 3500 BC 500 BC
390 BC Dionysius
6000–2500 BC 2200–1800 BC Bronze cap the Elder of Syracuse
Neolithic: sites Aeneolithic: sites 7th–6th captures the island
of Danilo, of Lasinje and centuries BC of Vis and founds an
Hvar, Butmir Vučedol administrative post
St Paul and St Blaise, patron saint of Dubrovnik, in a triptych by Nikola Božidarević

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