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== Chapter One - Origin and Events ==

== Chapter One - Origin and Events ==

Some fathers of history took notice of the writings of Diti who was a contemporary from Cretan. When writing about the war of Troy, he noted that Antenore was the first to land on the island and build a city. Because of the islands dark appearance of its woods it was called ''Corcira Melaena''.  Other followers of his position claim that they were not exiles of Ilius, but fugitives of Gnido. In turn the vernacularisation of Ditti, work of Cav.<ref>Cavaliere = Knight (honorary title)</ref>  Compagnoni, <ref>Dalmatia, literary sheet, 1st January 1846; No. 1</ref> stated that Antenore remained in [[Greece]], but the said Aeneas, was the likely leader of the colony and founder of the ''City of Curzola'', (Korčula's old name was Curzola) <ref>Editors notes: The Old-Slavic term was Krkar.</ref> competing with the opinion of Darete, Phrygian and other contemporaries.   

Some fathers of history took notice of the writings of Ditti who was a contemporary from Cretan. When writing about the war of Troy, he noted that Antenore was the first to land on the island and build a city. Because of the islands dark appearance of its woods it was called ''Corcira Melaena''.  Other followers of his position claim that they were not exiles of Ilius, but fugitives of Gnido. In turn the vernacularisation of Ditti, work of Cav.<ref>Cavaliere = Knight (honorary title)</ref>  Compagnoni, <ref>Dalmatia, literary sheet, 1st January 1846; No. 1</ref> stated that Antenore remained in [[Greece]], but the said Aeneas, was the likely leader of the colony and founder of the ''City of Curzola'', (Korčula's old name was Curzola) <ref>Editors notes: The Old-Slavic term was Krkar.</ref> competing with the opinion of Darete, Phrygian and other contemporaries.   

The truth of this claim, considering the mythological chronology of the grammatical ''Alexandrian Heratostene'', would oblige us to go back to approximately 1184 BC, at the time in which according to the Bible, Gideon judged Israel:  126 years prior to David coming to the throne.  But the historian, more traditional than anything else, cannot rely on these vague claims.  Yet least of all when facing criticism. ''Diti'' and ''Darete'' did not know how to support their historical theory. Whether Antenore or Aeneas was the leader, or Gnidi or the Trojans the colonists, the study of local antiquities arouses a belief that Korčula in ancient times was not some Greco-Phoenician post.  Even though during this period there are inferences which are not at all unfounded, none are of a particular positive nature.   

The truth of this claim, considering the mythological chronology of the grammatical ''Alexandrian Heratostene'', would oblige us to go back to approximately 1184 BC, at the time in which according to the Bible, Gideon judged Israel:  126 years prior to David coming to the throne.  But the historian, more traditional than anything else, cannot rely on these vague claims.  Yet least of all when facing criticism. ''Ditti'' and ''Darete'' did not know how to support their historical theory. Whether Antenore or Aeneas was the leader, or Gnidi or the Trojans the colonists, the study of local antiquities arouses a belief that Korčula in ancient times was not some Greco-Phoenician post.  Even though during this period there are inferences which are not at all unfounded, none are of a particular positive nature.   

The mystery clears then when the '''Illyrians''' become powerful lords of the Adriatic. Their king Agron, asserting his authority on the other neighbouring islands also occupied Korčula, in 250 B.C.  On his death regaining its independence, the widow queen '''Teuta''' <ref>Editors notes: '''Queen Teuta''' (Ancient Greek: Τεύτα) was an Illyrian queen of the Ardiaei tribe who reigned approximately from 231 BC to 227 BC.</ref> took control of it again until Demetrius Fario, appointed as its prefect, surrendered it to the '''Romans''' together with Lesina (Hvar) his homeland.  Whether Agron and Teuta had forcefully occupied the island with the use of arms, cannot be affirmed. The Alexandrian Appiano says no more than: ''"Pharumque bello captum"'' ; which makes us think it occurred due to combined dedication.  Only in the times of ''Caesar'' '''Octavian Augustus''' (42 B.C.) does the name in the history of human events appear clear.  It is known now for the first time, that the Curzolani (inhabitants of Korčula) tried to seal their reacquired freedom with their own blood. They resisted with anguished courage to the arms of the Triumvir who had come in person to conquer it. The punishment was equal to the resistance.   

The mystery clears then when the '''Illyrians''' become powerful lords of the Adriatic. Their king Agron, asserting his authority on the other neighbouring islands also occupied Korčula, in 250 B.C.  On his death regaining its independence, the widow queen '''Teuta''' <ref>Editors notes: '''Queen Teuta''' (Ancient Greek: Τεύτα) was an Illyrian queen of the Ardiaei tribe who reigned approximately from 231 BC to 227 BC.</ref> took control of it again until Demetrius Fario, appointed as its prefect, surrendered it to the '''Romans''' together with Lesina (Hvar) his homeland.  Whether Agron and Teuta had forcefully occupied the island with the use of arms, cannot be affirmed. The Alexandrian Appiano says no more than: ''"and once (they) conquered the island of Pharum "'' <ref>Latin section: Pharumque bello captum</ref>; which makes us think it occurred due to combined dedication.  Only in the times of ''Caesar'' '''Octavian Augustus''' (42 B.C.) does the name in the history of human events appear clear.  It is known now for the first time, that the Curzolani (inhabitants of Korčula) tried to seal their reacquired freedom with their own blood. They resisted with anguished courage to the arms of the Triumvir who had come in person to conquer it. The punishment was equal to the resistance.   

The Alexandrian Appiano tells us of the severity of the punishment and the cause of the war:  {{Cquote|''Divus Augustus deficientes Melitenses et Corcyrenses qui Insulas incolunt; ingenti belli mole superavit, quoniam maria classe praedebatur.  Puberes ad unum caesi cetera multitudo sub corona venit.'' <ref>Google Translate:

The Alexandrian Appiano tells us of the severity of the punishment and the cause of the war:  {{Cquote|''After a fierce war, Divus Augustus defeated the inhabitants of Malta and Corcyra (Corfù) who, at that time, were running out of supplies; the reason for the war was that these islanders had resorted to piracy and used to infest the sea with their fleet. All the adults were killed at once, while the remaining people were sold as slaves '' <ref>Latin section: Divus Augustus deficientes Melitenses et Corcyrenses qui Insulas incolunt; ingenti belli mole superavit, quoniam maria classe praedebatur.  Puberes ad unum caesi cetera multitudo sub corona venit</ref>}}  But if Octavian in the repression caused it to be damaged, he didn’t consider it unworthy of his attention for its benefit; sending Roman colonists to it to direct it for better understanding and regulated habits, paving the way to a much greater cultivation and lessening the original coarseness. If the gravestones which are being unearthed among the ruins scattered across the island bear witness to the existence of the Roman colonies, they explain their purpose.

* "The deified Augustus, and, failing Corcyrenses Melita, who inhabit the Islands; a huge burden of the war he overpowered, since Mary, a fleet of praedebatur. Adult males were cut down to one thing, the rest were sold into slavery"</ref>}}  But if Octavian in the repression caused it to be damaged, he didn’t consider it unworthy of his attention for its benefit; sending Roman colonists to it to direct it for better understanding and regulated habits, paving the way to a much greater cultivation and lessening the original coarseness. If the gravestones which are being unearthed among the ruins scattered across the island bear witness to the existence of the Roman colonies, they explain their purpose.

Korčula, from its origins to the present time, has been in existence for 3,038 years, and history classifies its political life in the following phases:  

Korčula, from its origins to the present time, has been in existence for 3,038 years, and history classifies its political life in the following phases:  

Protected by the Roman eagles, Korčula enjoyed peace and was well-off. Nor due to the change of events did she try to  claim freedom; and as at first was faithful to Rome when the Empire divided she was ruled by Constantinople.  But with the Caesars’ loss of power the days of pain were nearing.

Protected by the Roman eagles, Korčula enjoyed peace and was well-off. Nor due to the change of events did she try to  claim freedom; and as at first was faithful to Rome when the Empire divided she was ruled by Constantinople.  But with the Caesars’ loss of power the days of pain were nearing.

From a very old report discovered recently, that we don’t consider apocryphal, is noted how frightening the invasion of the Narentani (Neretljani) was for the island, and as to a certain king ''qui fugiens a persecution galearum Narentinorum construxit arcem in Siralievax'', in which with one hundred of his followers he had stationed himself, succeeded to gather the surrounding defence to himself.  This king would have built other fortresses there:  Maxima Autem, says the report, {{Cquote|''arx fuit in domorio incolum quem locum appellant Bradat apud domum unius hominis probi, et sacnti quem incolae dicunt Sveti Visko''}} He  had the inhabitants of Korčula equip six prisons at his own expense, and thus also erect three shelters: {{Cquote|''in portu ad septentrionem montis sic dicti Gradinae ubi sistebant naves nostril regis clementissimi.....non longe maris interni Insulae aptus locus est ad debellandos piratas fortes Narentinos molestos valde.'' <ref>Google Translate:

From a very old report discovered recently, that we don’t consider apocryphal, is noted how frightening the invasion of the Narentani (Neretljani) was for the island, and as to a certain king ''who, escaping the persecution of Narentani's fleet, built a fortress in Siralievaz'', <ref>Latin sections: qui fugiens a persecution galearum Narentinorum construxit arcem in Siralievax</ref> in which with one hundred of his followers he had stationed himself, succeeded to gather the surrounding defence to himself.  This king would have built other fortresses there:  Maxima Autem, says the report, {{Cquote| ''but the biggest fortress was the one erected in a place that locals call Bradat, close to the dwelling of a good man, a saint whose name is Saint Visko <ref>Latin section:arx fuit in domorio incolum quem locum appellant Bradat apud domum unius hominis probi, et sacnti quem incolae dicunt Sveti Visko''</ref>}} He  had the inhabitants of Korčula equip six prisons at his own expense, and thus also erect three shelters: {{Cquote| ''(the king) erected three shelters in the harbour facing the northern side of the mountain called Gradina, where our merciful king's fleet used to be stationed... Not so far from the inner sea of the Island, there is a place favourable for fighting against the powerful Narentani pirates, who were a huge nuisance.'' <ref>Latin section: in portu ad septentrionem montis sic dicti Gradinae ubi sistebant naves nostril regis clementissimi.....non longe maris interni Insulae aptus locus est ad debellandos piratas fortes Narentinos molestos valde</ref>}} Of all this there are obvious ruins to date.   

* "in the harbor to the north of the mountain where the so-called Gradinae nostril was presented the ships of the king 's most gracious ..... not far of the internal Islands of the sea is a place fit for the pirates in order to fight the mighty grievous Narentinos very much."</ref>}} Of all this there are obvious ruins to date.   

Despite the relentless defence bravely sustained by the inhabitants, most from the Mattani in the fortress of Siralievaz, every effort was useless, the king was compelled to flee from the island; in fact he was almost taken by the Narentani (Neretljani) in the sortie made from the last western promontory, if he had not been freed on the part of the islanders.  The reporter gives his name as Ristle and declares himself minister of the king, after his death which occurred elsewhere with royal brother Ottoniero, states that he returned to the island, where he had a sister desponsata Patron Spaho: {{Cquote|''.... domino domorij Sitinitiani (Sitnizza) pulcherimi agri in quo habebat tentorio et capiebat aves ... et inveni, continues, Narentinos depopulasse multa.  Omnes mee vires sestebant in conspectioneagrorum atque navium ... nos non possumus prodire nullibi, nisi in fortes hostes incurramus.''}}  There was hard aggression committed to both towns of which the ruins can still be seen in ''Bradat'' and ''Potirna''. They were inhabited also by Roman families, as the gravestones and many other ancient pieces unearthed not so long ago bear witness.

Despite the relentless defence bravely sustained by the inhabitants, most from the Mattani in the fortress of Siralievaz, every effort was useless, the king was compelled to flee from the island; in fact he was almost taken by the Narentani (Neretljani) in the sortie made from the last western promontory, if he had not been freed on the part of the islanders.  The reporter gives his name as Ristle and declares himself minister of the king, after his death which occurred elsewhere with royal brother Ottoniero, states that he returned to the island, where he had a sister desponsata Patron Spaho: {{Cquote| ''(the minister says: I had) a sister married to patron Spaho (patronus is someone who has undertaken to protect the interests of a community), lord of the beautiful land of Sitnizza, where he used to pitch his tent and hunt birds.... and I found that Narentani plundered many things. My strenght abandoned me  when I saw the fleet and the fields... We cannot move any further without incurring in our strong enemies.'' <ref>Latin section: .... domino domorij Sitinitiani (Sitnizza) pulcherimi agri in quo habebat tentorio et capiebat aves ... et inveni, continues, Narentinos depopulasse multa.  Omnes mee vires sestebant in conspectioneagrorum atque navium ... nos non possumus prodire nullibi, nisi in fortes hostes incurramus.</ref>}}  There was hard aggression committed to both towns of which the ruins can still be seen in ''Bradat'' and ''Potirna''. They were inhabited also by Roman families, as the gravestones and many other ancient pieces unearthed not so long ago bear witness.

A battle took place on the island around the year 829. Exiled from the throne and from the Obeleiro State and Beato Antenonj, or Antonaj, doges, one after the other of Venice, to whom the Curzolani, already confederated of the Narentain (Neretljani), acknowledged friendship and partisan feelings, the latter fleeing to Korčula, where he had correspondences and instruments to recover with the assistance of these in the  ducal seat. But the doge Zuanne Partecipazio, being informed of these schemes, at the head of a strong army descended upon Korčula, which despite powerful resistance, saw many of his own killed and the prisoners hanged; the ex doge Beato Antenonio had his ''head cut'' off.   

A battle took place on the island around the year 829. Exiled from the throne and from the Obeleiro State and Beato Antenonj, or Antonaj, doges, one after the other of Venice, to whom the Curzolani, already confederated of the Narentain (Neretljani), acknowledged friendship and partisan feelings, the latter fleeing to Korčula, where he had correspondences and instruments to recover with the assistance of these in the  ducal seat. But the doge Zuanne Partecipazio, being informed of these schemes, at the head of a strong army descended upon Korčula, which despite powerful resistance, saw many of his own killed and the prisoners hanged; the ex doge Beato Antenonio had his ''head cut'' off.