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If we put aside political correctness, one could ask the question, what happened to the '''Roman families''' when the Slavs invaded the island of Korcula'''?'''  <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322146/Korcula www.britannica.com

If we put aside political correctness, one could ask the question, what happened to the '''Roman families''' when the Slavs invaded the island of Korcula'''?'''  <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322146/Korcula www.britannica.com

* '''Encyclopædia Britannica''': "Korcula, Italian Curzola, Greek Corcyra Melaina, island in the Adriatic Sea, on the Dalmatian coast, in Croatia. With an area of 107 square miles (276 square km), it has a hilly interior rising to 1,863 feet (568 m). The Greeks colonized it in the 4th century bc. Korčula was subsequently occupied by the Romans, Goths, Slavs, Byzantines, and Genoese; the kings of Hungary and Croatia"</ref><ref>[http://www.theodora.com/encyclopedia/c2/curzola.html Encyclopaedia Britannica (publ. 1911):]

* '''Encyclopædia Britannica''': "Korcula, Italian Curzola, Greek Corcyra Melaina, island in the Adriatic Sea, on the Dalmatian coast, in Croatia. With an area of 107 square miles (276 square km), it has a hilly interior rising to 1,863 feet (568 m). The Greeks colonized it in the 4th century bc. Korčula was subsequently occupied by the Romans, Goths, Slavs, Byzantines, and Genoese; the kings of Hungary and Croatia and the Bosnian dukes resided there; and such powers as Russia, France, Britain, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire have held the island. "</ref><ref>[http://www.theodora.com/encyclopedia/c2/curzola.html Encyclopaedia Britannica (publ. 1911):]

*"CURZOLA (Serbo-Croatian Korcula or Karkar), an island in the Adriatic Sea, forming part of Dalmatia, Austria; and lying west of the Sabioncello promontory, from which it is divided by a strait less than 2 M. wide. Its length is about 25 m.; its average breadth, 4 m. Curzola (Korcula), the capital and principal port, is a fortified town on the east coast, and occupies a rocky foreland almost surrounded by the sea."</ref> The Slavic tribes invaded the Dalmatian province of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire). This part of Korcula's (in Croatian the c in Korcula is pronounced ''ch'' and is written "'''č'''") history is very unclear.  

*"CURZOLA (Serbo-Croatian Korcula or Karkar), an island in the Adriatic Sea, forming part of Dalmatia, Austria; and lying west of the Sabioncello promontory, from which it is divided by a strait less than 2 M. wide. Its length is about 25 m.; its average breadth, 4 m. Curzola (Korcula), the capital and principal port, is a fortified town on the east coast, and occupies a rocky foreland almost surrounded by the sea."</ref> The Slavic tribes invaded the Dalmatian province of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire). This part of Korcula's (in Croatian the c in Korcula is pronounced ''ch'' and is written "'''č'''") history is very unclear.  

When the Slavic Narentani conquered Corcyra Nigra (modern: Korcula), events could have unfolded for the Roman families as:  

When the Slavic Narentani conquered Corcyra Nigra (modern: Korcula), events could have unfolded for the Roman families as:  

* ''or'' all the above

* ''or'' all the above

To this editor's knowledge there are '''no existing''' primary historical sources that actually described the '''event''' of [[Directory:Croatia|Croatian Slavs]] <ref>'''Note''': The first primary source (factual-that its authenticity isn't disputed) to mention the Croatian-Hrvat identity in the Balkans was '''Duke Branimir''' (Latin:'' "Branimiro comite dux cruatorum cogitavit"''  c. 880 AD). Branimir was a Slav from the Dalmatian Hinterland.</ref> invading and settling the island of Korčula in the middle ages. It was the ''Republic of Venice'' who first mentions Slavic peoples - Narrentanos Sclavos<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA39&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Narrentanos%20Sclavos&f=false When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:] by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p39)</ref> and  Corcyra Nigra (modern: Korcula). In the 9th century the Republic of Venice recorded that Narentani or Narentines, who are referred to in modern times as mainly Neretva pirates (Neretvani), started to disrupt Venice's trade with the east (Levant). Later it was established that they had strategically secured the delta of the river Neretva and some of the islands in southern Dalmatia. Amongst these was the island of Korčula. It took many decades before Venice could minimise the threat from the Narentines - Slavic pirates. It was doge Pietro II Orseolo who took the island for the Republic of Venice in the year 1000.<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B7gzrJDlUv8C&pg=PA60&dq=Pietro+II+Orseolo+Curzola&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DU7dUKKeFYiPkwW02oGoAQ&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Pietro%20II%20Orseolo%20Curzola&f=false Venice Triumphant:] The Horizons of a Myth by Elisabeth Crouzet-Pavan (p60)</ref> I guess, it is assumed that a group of Slavs remained on the island. In 1262 the Venetians did mention the Slavs and '''Latins''' <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=p3oGybOY1w4C&pg=PA103&dq=korcula+Venice++Slavs&hl=en&ei=oMBjTJPQBoicvgPkpPCeCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=korcula%20Venice%20%20Slavs&f=false When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:] by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p103)</ref> on the island of Korčula. With this reference it also puts the descendants of the Roman Empire on the island.

To this editor's knowledge there are '''no existing''' primary historical sources that actually described the '''event''' of [[Directory:Croatia|Croatian Slavs]] <ref>'''Note''': The first primary source (factual-that its authenticity isn't disputed) to mention the Croatian-Hrvat identity in the Balkans was '''Duke Branimir''' (Latin:'' "Branimiro comite dux cruatorum cogitavit"''  c. 880 AD). Branimir was a Slav from the Dalmatian Hinterland.</ref> invading and settling the island of Korčula in the middle ages. It was the ''Republic of Venice'' who first mentions Slavic peoples - Narrentanos Sclavos<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA39&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Narrentanos%20Sclavos&f=false When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:] by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p39)</ref> and  Corcyra Nigra (modern: Korcula). In the 9th century the Republic of Venice recorded that Narentani ''or'' Narentines, who are referred to in modern times as mainly Neretva pirates (Neretvani), started to disrupt Venice's trade with the east (Levant). Later it was established that they had strategically secured the delta of the river Neretva and some of the islands as well as other surrounding areas in southern Dalmatia. Amongst these was the island of Korčula. It took many decades before Venice could minimise the threat from the Narentines - Slavic pirates. It was doge Pietro II Orseolo who took the island for the Republic of Venice in the year 1000.<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=B7gzrJDlUv8C&pg=PA60&dq=Pietro+II+Orseolo+Curzola&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DU7dUKKeFYiPkwW02oGoAQ&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Pietro%20II%20Orseolo%20Curzola&f=false Venice Triumphant:] The Horizons of a Myth by Elisabeth Crouzet-Pavan (p60)</ref> I guess, it is assumed that a group of Slavs remained on the island. In 1262 the Venetians did mention the Slavs and '''Latins''' <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=p3oGybOY1w4C&pg=PA103&dq=korcula+Venice++Slavs&hl=en&ei=oMBjTJPQBoicvgPkpPCeCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=korcula%20Venice%20%20Slavs&f=false When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:] by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p103)</ref> on the island of Korčula. With this reference it also puts the descendants of the Roman Empire on the island.

=== Old Roman Cities of Dalmatia ===

=== Old Roman Cities of Dalmatia ===

===Romanized Slavs===

===Romanized Slavs===

The new population of Narentines Slavs invaded and then probably settled in the centre of the island. They spoke old Slavic '''Chakavian''' which is the language of the old medieval Croatian Dukes (Latin: "Branimiro comite dux cruatorum cogitavit" c. 880 AD). The centre of the island had its strategic qualities which allowed protection on all sides from attack by sea. It also had fertile land which allowed cultivation.  After the invasion of Slavic tribes, the region stabilised to a certain extent. The Byzantines and the ''Republic of Venice''  and others, started to exert a political, economic and culture influence over the region.

The new population of Narentines Slavs invaded and then probably settled in the centre of the island. They spoke old Slavic '''Chakavian''' which is the language of the old medieval Croatian Dukes (Latin: "Branimiro comite dux cruatorum cogitavit" c. 880 AD). The centre of the island had its strategic qualities which allowed protection on all sides from attack by sea. It also had fertile land which allowed cultivation.  After the invasion of Slavic tribes, the region stabilised to a certain extent. The Byzantines and the ''Republic of Venice''  and others, started to exert a political, economic and culture influence over the region.

[[File:740px-Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, Dacia, Moesia, Pannonia and Thracia.jpg|thumb|right|375px|The Roman province of Dalmatia (pink colour) in the Western Roman Empire. 476 AD]] After the Narentines-the Slavic pirates lost control of the island, Dalmatian Romans<ref>'''Note''': Recent DNA studies have stated that more than three quarters of today's Croatian men are the descendants of Europeans who inhabited Europe 13 000-20 000 years ago.</ref> and the Republic of Venice brought ''Mediterranean cultural'' to the Slavs who remained on the island. Christianity was one aspect of this. In essence Slavs on the island were Romanized (adopted Latin culture).

[[File:740px-Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, Dacia, Moesia, Pannonia and Thracia.jpg|thumb|right|375px|The Roman province of Dalmatia (pink colour) in the Western Roman Empire. 476 AD]] After the Narentines, the Slavic pirates lost control of the island, Dalmatian Romans<ref>'''Note''': Recent DNA studies have stated that more than three quarters of today's Croatian men are the descendants of Europeans who inhabited Europe 13 000-20 000 years ago.</ref> and the Republic of Venice brought ''Mediterranean cultural'' to the Slavs who remained on the island. Christianity was one aspect of this. In essence Slavs on the island were Romanized (adopted Latin culture).

The 19th and 20th century theories concerning the identity of these early Korčula Slavs seem to be mistaken. The latest scholarly and archaeological research <ref>Some of the latest research studies:

The 19th and 20th century theories concerning the identity of these early Korčula Slavs seem to be mistaken. The latest scholarly and archaeological research <ref>Some of the latest research studies:

* [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Becoming+Slav,+Becoming+Croat:+Identity+Transformations+in+Post-Roman+and+Early+Medieval+Dalmatia&hl=en&ei=MLFCTbjaBYaecLnwkf4N&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat:] Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and and Early Medieval Dalmatia by Danijel Dzino

* [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Becoming+Slav,+Becoming+Croat:+Identity+Transformations+in+Post-Roman+and+Early+Medieval+Dalmatia&hl=en&ei=MLFCTbjaBYaecLnwkf4N&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat:] Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and and Early Medieval Dalmatia by Danijel Dzino

There is archaeological evidence from '''16th century''' where the Croatian identity was starting to be used. Stone writings in Zavalatica are dedicated to events from 889 AD. It describes a clash between the Slavic population and the Venetian army. Marinko Gjivoje wrote about the find in 1972. The stone writings use: ''Hrvat Dalmatinac'' in its writings. ''Hrvat'' means Croat in Croatian.<ref>[http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/script.htm History-Korcula.net] Marko Marelic-S. Francisco-USA</ref>

There is archaeological evidence from '''16th century''' where the Croatian identity was starting to be used. Stone writings in Zavalatica are dedicated to events from 889 AD. It describes a clash between the Slavic population and the Venetian army. Marinko Gjivoje wrote about the find in 1972. The stone writings use: ''Hrvat Dalmatinac'' in its writings. ''Hrvat'' means Croat in Croatian.<ref>[http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/script.htm History-Korcula.net] Marko Marelic-S. Francisco-USA</ref>

==Korcula Originally a Roman Town==

==Korcula Originally a Dalmatian Roman Town==

In this editors opinion to-days Korčula was originally a Roman town. It was built in the early middle ages as a fortification against invading tribes. Later, in the middle ages it became a dual Latin (Romance) and Slavic town. With the arrival of Venetians it continued to evolve as such until the end of the Republic itself in 1797. The town's old centre is of Venetian construction <ref> Encyclopaedia Britannica (publ. 1911)</ref> and many have pointed out its similarities to Venetian architecture. Today we have surnames on the island that are not of Slavic origin, for example:

In this editors opinion to-days Korčula was originally a Dalmatian Roman town. It was built in the early middle ages as a fortification against invading tribes. Later, in the middle ages it became a dual Latin (Romance) and Slavic town. With the arrival of Venetians it continued to evolve as such until the end of the Republic itself in 1797. The town's old centre is of Venetian construction <ref> Encyclopaedia Britannica (publ. 1911)</ref> and many have pointed out its similarities to Venetian architecture. Today we have surnames on the island that are not of Slavic origin, for example:

* Izmaeli - originally de '''Ismael'''

* Izmaeli - originally de '''Ismael'''

* Gabrijeliċ - originally '''Gabriel'''  

* Gabrijeliċ - originally '''Gabriel'''  

Note C: '''Liber Legum Statutorum Curzola 1214'''

Note C: '''Liber Legum Statutorum Curzola 1214'''

The Statute itself <ref>[http://www.korculainfo.com/history/statute-korcula-town-1214.html Korcula Info (www.korculainfo.com): Korcula Town Statute from 1214]</ref>  was probably written by '''Latin-Roman''' Dalmatian & Slavic nobility. Originally written in Latin. Oldest known copy is from 1265, also written in Latin. It was later translated to Venetian.

The Statute itself <ref>[http://www.korculainfo.com/history/statute-korcula-town-1214.html Korcula Info (www.korculainfo.com): Korcula Town Statute from 1214]</ref>  was probably written by '''Latin-''' Dalmatian & Slavic nobility. Originally written in Latin. Oldest known copy is from 1265, also written in Latin. It was later translated to Venetian.

Here is an ''Historic quote'' taken from "When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans" by John Van Antwerp Fine in which it writes about the Slavs and Latins on the island of Korčula (Curzola): {{quote|

Here is an ''Historic quote'' taken from "When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans" by John Van Antwerp Fine in which it writes about the Slavs and Latins on the island of Korčula (Curzola): {{quote|

''In 1262 the Venetian praised the Slavs and Latins on the island of Korcula for submitting to the prince Venice had sent.'' <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=p3oGybOY1w4C&pg=PA103&dq=korcula+Venice++Slavs&hl=en&ei=oMBjTJPQBoicvgPkpPCeCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=korcula%20Venice%20%20Slavs&f=false When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:] by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p103)</ref><ref>Smiciklas, ''CD'' V, (p237); N. Klaic, ''Povijest Hrvata u Razvijenom'', (p130)</ref>}}  

''In 1262 the Venetian praised the Slavs and Latins on the island of Korcula for submitting to the prince Venice had sent.'' <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=p3oGybOY1w4C&pg=PA103&dq=korcula+Venice++Slavs&hl=en&ei=oMBjTJPQBoicvgPkpPCeCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=korcula%20Venice%20%20Slavs&f=false When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:] by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p103)</ref><ref>Smiciklas, ''CD'' V, (p237); N. Klaic, ''Povijest Hrvata u Razvijenom'', (p130)</ref>}}