Changes

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 230 B.C.<ref>In the original book the date was 250B.C. Latest historic research states 230 B.C. to be more accurate (Illyricum & Roman Politics 229 BC-AD 68 by  

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 230 B.C.<ref>In the original book the date was 250B.C. Latest historic research states 230 B.C. to be more accurate (Illyricum & Roman Politics 229 BC-AD 68 by  

Danijel Dzino)</ref>  On his death regaining its independence, the widow queen '''Teuta''' <ref>'''Queen Teuta''' (Ancient Greek: Τεύτα) was an Illyrian queen of the Ardiaei tribe who reigned approximately from 229 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 [Editors note-modern: 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 [Editors: Pharum note-modern Hvar]"'' <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''' (35 B.C.) does the name in the history of human events appear clear.  It is known now for the first time, that the Curzolani [Editors note: 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:  {{quote|

Danijel Dzino)</ref>  On his death regaining its independence, the widow queen '''Teuta''' <ref>'''Queen Teuta''' (Ancient Greek: Τεύτα) was an Illyrian queen of the Ardiaei tribe who reigned approximately from 229 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 [Editors note-modern: 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 [Editors: Pharum note-modern Hvar]"'' <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 (35 B.C.) does the name in the history of human events appear clear.  It is known now for the first time, that the Curzolani [Editors note: 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:  {{quote|

''After a fierce war, Divus Augustus defeated the inhabitants of Melite <ref>Melite is the island of Mljet. '''Mljet''' is an island in the Adriatic Sea, in the ''Dubrovnik-Neretva County'' of '''Croatia.'''</ref> and Corcyra <ref>Corcyra is the island of Korčula</ref> 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.

''After a fierce war, Divus Augustus defeated the inhabitants of Melite <ref>Melite is the island of Mljet. '''Mljet''' is an island in the Adriatic Sea, in the ''Dubrovnik-Neretva County'' of '''Croatia.'''</ref> and Corcyra <ref>Corcyra is the island of Korčula</ref> 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.

[[File:Curzola of old.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Town of Korcula (Curzola-1708)]]

[[File:Curzola of old.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Town of Korcula (Curzola-1708)]]