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== Editor's Note ==

== Editor's Note ==

The research I have done in the last two years has led me to this conclusion concerning the history of Dubrovnik area (for now anyway.... I'm always open to new information). The ancient peoples of Dubrovnik identified themselves as '''Ragusans'''. Latin-Illyrian families created the Republic of Ragusa. Modern theories say that a small town was already there during the times of the Roman Empire (some say even earlier).<ref>Note: Recent findings of artefacts in Dubrovnik suggest to be [[Greece|Greek]] in origin.</ref>

The research I have done in the last two years has led me to this conclusion concerning the history of Dubrovnik area (for now anyway.... I'm always open to new information).  

 

The ancient peoples of Dubrovnik identified themselves as '''Ragusans'''. Latin-Illyrian families created the Republic of Ragusa. Modern theories say that a small town was already there during the times of the Roman Empire (some say even earlier).<ref>Note: Recent findings of artefacts in Dubrovnik suggest to be [[Greece|Greek]] in origin.</ref>

Refugees from Roman Epidaurus in the 7th century turned it into a fortified city. Over the centuries, it became a City State importantly called Ragusa. Later it became a Republic (1358), also importantly called Republic of Ragusa. The early medieval City State had a population of Romans and Latinized Illyrians, who spoke [[Latin]]. With time it evolved into the Dalmatian language, a now extinct Romance language. The Ragusan Dalmatian language disappeared in the 17th century. For centuries Ragusa, was an [[Italy|Italian-City State]].  

Refugees from Roman Epidaurus in the 7th century turned it into a fortified city. Over the centuries, it became a City State importantly called Ragusa. Later it became a Republic (1358), also importantly called Republic of Ragusa. The early medieval City State had a population of Romans and Latinized Illyrians, who spoke [[Latin]]. With time it evolved into the Dalmatian language, a now extinct Romance language. The Ragusan Dalmatian language disappeared in the 17th century. For centuries Ragusa, was an [[Italy|Italian-City State]].  

[[File:800px-Dubrovnik 042.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Dubrovnik once the capital of the Republic of Ragusa now within todays modern [[Croatia]]. The ''Republic'' in the past was a hub of multi-ethnic communities.]]

[[File:800px-Dubrovnik 042.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Dubrovnik once the capital of the Republic of Ragusa now within todays modern [[Croatia]]. The ''Republic'' in the past was a hub of multi-ethnic communities.]]

During the '''Napoleonic Wars''' the ''"Republic of Ragusa"'' ceased to be. In '''1815''' it was made a part of the Habsburg Empire (later renamed the Austro-Hungarian Empire). The former Republic was within the province of the Kingdom of Dalmatia and under [[Austria|Austrian]] rule. In essence it was occupied. Former Republic of Ragusa borders were opened up. Peoples who were once foreigners (even enemies), were now citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  

During the '''Napoleonic Wars''' the ''"Republic of Ragusa"'' ceased to be. In '''1815''' it was made a part of the Habsburg Empire (later renamed the Austro-Hungarian Empire). The former Republic was within the province of the Kingdom of Dalmatia and under [[Austria|Austrian]] rule. In essence it was occupied. Former Republic of Ragusa borders were opened up. Peoples who were once foreigners (''or'' even enemies), were now citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  

The political situation stated to change and one of them was the nationalistic movement of the 19th century. In the neighbouring '''Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia''' a [[Croatia|Croatian]] nationalistic movement was established and alongside that, within the Balkan region a Pan-Slavic movement was growing (the beginnings of the ill fated Yugoslavia). These political on goings started to be felt in the Kingdom of Dalmatia. The Austrians in the 1860s started to introduce within the Kingdom of Dalmatia a standardised Croatian language sometimes referred to as '''Illirski'''.<ref> Sir John Gardner Wilkinson (an 19 century [[United Kingdom|English]] historian. October 5, 1797 – October 29, 1875)  

The political situation stated to change and one of them was the nationalistic movement of the 19th century. In the neighbouring '''Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia''' a [[Croatia|Croatian]] nationalistic movement was established and alongside that, within the Balkan region a Pan-Slavic movement was growing (the beginnings of the ill fated Yugoslavia). These political on goings started to be felt in the Kingdom of Dalmatia. The Austrians in the 1860s started to introduce within the Kingdom of Dalmatia a standardised Croatian language sometimes referred to as '''Illirski'''.<ref> Sir John Gardner Wilkinson (an 19 century [[United Kingdom|English]] historian. October 5, 1797 – October 29, 1875)