Changes

*Free with her own independence until the occupation by  Agron, and then for very short intervals by Teuta, by the Romans until Octaviano Augustus; and then at the time of the Veneti <ref>  People from the Veneto Region/'''Ostojic's''' original historical source from '''1858'''.</ref>  from 1180 to 1252, from 1254 to 1258, and from 1418 to 1420, on the whole.

*Free with her own independence until the occupation by  Agron, and then for very short intervals by Teuta, by the Romans until Octaviano Augustus; and then at the time of the Veneti <ref>  People from the Veneto Region/'''Ostojic's''' original historical source from '''1858'''.</ref>  from 1180 to 1252, from 1254 to 1258, and from 1418 to 1420, on the whole.

*Subject to the Roman Emperors first from the west, then from the east, by Augustus to Heraclius until 642.

*Subject to the Roman Emperors first from the west, then from the east, by Augustus to Heraclius until 642.

*Defeated and confederated by the Narantani (Editors note: Neretva Slavic pirates) from 642 to 999.

*Defeated and confederated by the Narantani (Editors note: Narentines or Neretva Slavic pirates) from 642 to 999.

*Conquered by the Veneti under the management of the doge '''Pietro II Orseolo''' from 999 to 1100.

*Conquered by the Veneti under the management of the doge '''Pietro II Orseolo''' from 999 to 1100.

*Held by the Genoese from 1100 to 1129.

*Held by the Genoese from 1100 to 1129.

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 Caesar's 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 Caesar's 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 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, {{quote|  

From a very old report discovered recently, that we don’t consider apocryphal, is noted how frightening the invasion of the Narentines 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, {{quote|  

''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. Of all this there are obvious ruins to date.  {{quote|

''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. Of all this there are obvious ruins to date.  {{quote|

''(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>}}  

''(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 Narentines 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>}}  

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 in the sortie made from the 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: {{quote|  

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 in the sortie made from the 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: {{quote|  

''(the minister says: I had) a sister married to patron Spaho [Editors notes: patron Spaho 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 strength 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''.<ref>'''Potirna''' is a village on the west end of the island of Korcula in Croatia.</ref> They were inhabited also by Roman families, as the gravestones and many other ancient pieces unearthed not so long ago bear witness.

''(the minister says: I had) a sister married to patron Spaho [Editors notes: patron Spaho 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 Narentines plundered many things. My strength 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''.<ref>'''Potirna''' is a village on the west end of the island of Korcula in Croatia.</ref> 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. Banished from the throne (the Curzolani) and from the State and ''Obeleiro'' and ''Beato Antenonj'', or Antonaj, doges, one after the other of Venice. The Curzolani, already confederated of the Narentain, acknowledged friendship and partisan feelings. 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.  ''('''Editors''' note: Some sources state that Giovanni ''or Zuanne''  Participazio, killed Obelerio degli Antenori  in Malamocco, near Venice. His severed head then was displayed to the people ''or'' that he died in Zadar. Another source states that he was buried with pomp in the Church of San Teodoro)'' <ref>[http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924030932812/cu31924030932812_djvu.txt "The doges of Venice"] Chapte Two: Wooers of The Adiatic A.D. 809 to 960 </ref>

A battle took place on the island around the year 829. Banished from the throne (the Curzolani) and from the State and ''Obeleiro'' and ''Beato Antenonj'', or Antonaj, doges, one after the other of Venice. The Curzolani, already confederated of the Narentain, acknowledged friendship and partisan feelings. 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.  ''('''Editors''' note: Some sources state that Giovanni ''or Zuanne''  Participazio, killed Obelerio degli Antenori  in Malamocco, near Venice. His severed head then was displayed to the people ''or'' that he died in Zadar. Another source states that he was buried with pomp in the Church of San Teodoro)'' <ref>[http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924030932812/cu31924030932812_djvu.txt "The doges of Venice"] Chapte Two: Wooers of The Adiatic A.D. 809 to 960 </ref>

A source from the Veneto Region stated that as a result of this fact Korčula and Veglia, where even the Antenonj had partisans, remained subject to those of the Veneto Region. This occurred for a brief period with regard to Korčula, the resulting reunion being tough between her and the Narentani, however the alliance lasted a short time. There is on the island a sunny valley called Dughipod, neighbouring the inundating field known Blatta (Editors note-modern: Blato), in which one could see various large masses of rocks, and among these the largest and widest, and the only one on the island, called ''Ducelova gomilla''.  From the previous matter and from the places, which embrace vast  plains suited for manoeuvring an army in battle, it is probable that a battle occurred there and that under that impressive mass of rocks was buried the beheaded doge ''Beato Antenonio'', and therefore to that the Slavic name of ''Ducelova gomilla'', namely the doge’s partition wall.

A source from the Veneto Region stated that as a result of this fact Korčula and Veglia, where even the Antenonj had partisans, remained subject to those of the Veneto Region. This occurred for a brief period with regard to Korčula, the resulting reunion being tough between her and the Narentines, however the alliance lasted a short time. There is on the island a sunny valley called Dughipod, neighbouring the inundating field known Blatta (Editors note-modern: Blato), in which one could see various large masses of rocks, and among these the largest and widest, and the only one on the island, called ''Ducelova gomilla''.  From the previous matter and from the places, which embrace vast  plains suited for manoeuvring an army in battle, it is probable that a battle occurred there and that under that impressive mass of rocks was buried the beheaded doge ''Beato Antenonio'', and therefore to that the Slavic name of ''Ducelova gomilla'', namely the doge’s partition wall.

The fourth battle was with the doge of the Veneto Region '''Pietro II Orseolo''' in 999, from which, having defeated the Narentani, their ally Korčula,  was also conquered. Some historians note that the Curzolani, determined to oppose the advances of the doge, urged the Ragusani (Editors note-modern:Dubrovnik) and the Lesignani (Editors note-modern: Hvar) to form an alliance, but pre-empted by the sudden appearance of a large army in the ''Korčula Channel'', which fruitlessly awaited on the nearby reef of S. Massimo.<ref>also known as abbr. aka; (ref. plant, animal) common name./'''Ostojic's''' original historical source from '''1858'''.</ref> Vulgo Massan, opted for negotiations for surrender, due to the fact that Korčula was forced to withstand alone. Of this fact '''Andrea Dandolo''' <ref>'''Andrea Dandolo''' (1306 – September 7, 1354) was elected the 54th doge of Venice in 1343, replacing Bartolomeo Gradenigo who died in late 1342.</ref> writes:  {{quote|

The fourth battle was with the doge of the Veneto Region '''Pietro II Orseolo''' in 999, from which, having defeated the Narentani, their ally Korčula,  was also conquered. Some historians note that the Curzolani, determined to oppose the advances of the doge, urged the Ragusani (Editors note-modern:Dubrovnik) and the Lesignani (Editors note-modern: Hvar) to form an alliance, but pre-empted by the sudden appearance of a large army in the ''Korčula Channel'', which fruitlessly awaited on the nearby reef of S. Massimo.<ref>also known as abbr. aka; (ref. plant, animal) common name./'''Ostojic's''' original historical source from '''1858'''.</ref> Vulgo Massan, opted for negotiations for surrender, due to the fact that Korčula was forced to withstand alone. Of this fact '''Andrea Dandolo''' <ref>'''Andrea Dandolo''' (1306 – September 7, 1354) was elected the 54th doge of Venice in 1343, replacing Bartolomeo Gradenigo who died in late 1342.</ref> writes:  {{quote|

'''Note B'''. Nikola Ostojic wrote:''"Defeated and confederated by the Narantani from 642 to 999."''  

'''Note B'''. Nikola Ostojic wrote:''"Defeated and confederated by the Narantani from 642 to 999."''  

The date stated by Ostojic of Korčula's being confederated by the Narantani has to be questioned. To this editor's knowledge there are no existing primary historical sources that actually described the event of Croatian Slavs invading and settling the island of Korcula in the middle ages. The Narantani, which are referred today mainly as ''Neretvani'', were a nation of pirates. Firstly known as ''Arentanoi.''<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=OJPfAAAAMAAJ&q=arentanoi&dq=arentanoi&hl=en&ei=bMt2TYb7J4ugvQODuaGFBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBA The Age of the Dromon:] The Byzantine Navy ca. 500-1204 by John H. Pryor & Elizabeth Jeffreys (p67)</ref> Modern scholarly research now puts the time of the invasion of the Slavic tribes in the Roman Dalmatia region to be much later.<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC&pg=PA212&dq=immigration+Slav+groups+in+Dalmatia+Danijel+Dzino&hl=en&ei=ONB2Tf7SA4vevQOYybjLBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat:] Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia by Danijel Dzino (p212).

The date stated by Ostojic of Korčula's being confederated by the Narantani ''or'' Narentines has to be questioned. To this editor's knowledge there are no existing primary historical sources that actually described the event of Croatian Slavs invading and settling the island of Korcula in the middle ages. The Narentines Slavs, which are referred today mainly as ''Neretvani'', were a nation of pirates. Firstly known as ''Arentanoi.''<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=OJPfAAAAMAAJ&q=arentanoi&dq=arentanoi&hl=en&ei=bMt2TYb7J4ugvQODuaGFBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBA The Age of the Dromon:] The Byzantine Navy ca. 500-1204 by John H. Pryor & Elizabeth Jeffreys (p67)</ref> Modern scholarly research now puts the time of the invasion of the Slavic tribes in the Roman Dalmatia region to be much later.<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC&pg=PA212&dq=immigration+Slav+groups+in+Dalmatia+Danijel+Dzino&hl=en&ei=ONB2Tf7SA4vevQOYybjLBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat:] Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia by Danijel Dzino (p212).

* Danijel Dzino states that the 19 century theories of mass movements of people into the old Roman Province of Dalmatia are questionable. Modern Archaeological and Scholarly research seems to be saying that we are looking at much smaller groups of Slavs and Avars invading the region. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines and was written in the 6th century in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in [[Latin]] it was written ''Sclaveni''. According to Danijel Dzino the term Slavs was first used by outside observers of the day to describe the newcomers. The Slavs used the term to describe themselves at a later stage. Thus began the ''construct identity'' of the new arrivals. Later the Slavic peoples started to identify themselves and separated (or were separated by others) into different groups.

* Danijel Dzino states that the 19 century theories of mass movements of people into the old Roman Province of Dalmatia are questionable. Modern Archaeological and Scholarly research seems to be saying that we are looking at much smaller groups of Slavs and Avars invading the region. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines and was written in the 6th century in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in [[Latin]] it was written ''Sclaveni''. According to Danijel Dzino the term Slavs was first used by outside observers of the day to describe the newcomers. The Slavs used the term to describe themselves at a later stage. Thus began the ''construct identity'' of the new arrivals. Later the Slavic peoples started to identify themselves and separated (or were separated by others) into different groups.

</ref> Archaeological evidence found in the old Roman city of ''Salon'' and in particularly the artefacts found at the'' Old Croatian'' grave sites in Dalmatia (during recent excavations) seems to confirm this. The arrival and the '''main''' ''settlement'' of the Slavs by some has now been thought to be more in the region of the late 8th century or early 9th century.<ref>Historians of this school of thought are D. Dzino, L.Margetic, Ancic, Rapanic and Sokol.</ref><ref>Note: The early sources must have reflected the '''raid''' activity of the Slavic tribes within Roman Dalmatia.</ref>  

</ref> Archaeological evidence found in the old Roman city of ''Salon'' and in particularly the artefacts found at the'' Old Croatian'' grave sites in Dalmatia (during recent excavations) seems to confirm this. The arrival and the '''main''' ''settlement'' of the Slavs by some has now been thought to be more in the region of the late 8th century or early 9th century.<ref>Historians of this school of thought are D. Dzino, L.Margetic, Ancic, Rapanic and Sokol.</ref><ref>Note: The early sources must have reflected the '''raid''' activity of the Slavic tribes within Roman Dalmatia.</ref>