S O L I N

Solin -Historical Preview

The Croatian name Solin originated from the Latinized name Salona, which has roots in the Ilirian language. This name was first mentioned in history during the war between the Romans and Ilirians in 119 BC. However, the origin of this town goes back further in time. Strabon, an old Greek geographer, mentioned that Salona was the port of an Ilirian tribe named Dalmata who probably traded there with Greek sailors. Greek objects and remnants of city walls which were found in Salona and its surroundings indicate that the Greeks may have been founders of the city. Some say that the origin of Solin is from the beginning of the 4th century BC. It is obvious that Greek influence in Salona was very strong and it is rightly said that during its first period Salona was a Greek-Ilirian settlement. In the 1st century BC Salona was conquered by the Romans. The citizens of Salona sided with Caesar during the war with Pompej; as Caesar won, the city became promoted into a colony named “Colonia Martia Julia Salona”. During that time the city expanded West and East and got two new Roman parts beside the older Greek -Ilirian town. For this reason writers from that time often call it Salonae (plural). Since Ilirik was arranged as Roman province, Salona became cultural, economic, political and occasionally army center. In later centuries, it became a religious center. In the first
centuries after Christ carriers of the Gospel came in Salona among all Orientals and established the first Christian parish at the beginning of the 3rd century.

In Diocletian's time there were many martyrs. The fact that Diocletian was born in Salona or its surroundings, and built a famous castle nearby, made this already famous centre more interesting. Big port and numerous roads which led to the other parts of empire show that this was an important center. Roads were called: Via Munita and it led to Trogir then near the coast to Akvilea and further connected to Italian and German roads. Via Gabiniana led near the Klis to Andetrium (Muc) and further inland. The third one led to Aequum (Citluk to Sinj) through Bosnia to Panonia. The forth lead to Trilj and then branched off one way to Naroni (Vid near Metkovic) and the other through the middle of the Balkans. A separate road connected Salona with Epetiona ( Stobrec) and other cities on the North coast.
The Christian community in town grew very strongly in last three centuries of “old Salona” and exerted a big influence in whole province. Solonian bishop become metropolitan for the whole province of Dalmatia. At that
time Barbarians, e.g. East Goths in 5th century, began to break into all parts of the empire. Western Roman Empire fell under their attack, Salona, which was far enough, lasted for 130 years longer and gave shelter to
the few of the last West Roman emperors. The City was destroyed in 614 by the Slav and Avari tribes. Citizens who managed to escape hid on the islands and in Diocletian castle. It is there that the life of a new city –today’s Split . Old Solin remains today in ruins. We have explored in detail only a smaller part of the city till now but we can already feel its importance and greatness. .