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=== Old Roman cities of Dalmatia ===

=== Old Roman cities of Dalmatia ===

The old Roman cities of Dalmatia; Epidaurum, Narona and Salona which were then part of the Byzantine-Eastern Roman Empire, were destroyed or just abandoned. This was due to the fact that the cities were not strategically set up for defence from constant invasions. According to various sources both Slavs and Avars participated in these events. The ''Avars'' were a nomadic people from Eurasian who invaded the Balkans  at the same time as the Slavs. In this historic period it is recorded that many of the churches on the island of Korčula were abandoned (or destroyed) and then rebuilt at a later stage. <ref>According to recent studies done at the '''University of Zadar''',  Slavs on the island of Korčula accepted Christianity fully in the 14th century. Reference from: University of Zadar-Sociogeographic Transformation of the Western Part of Korcula Island by Lena Mirosevic-2008 (p161)</ref> The Ostrogoths (a Germanic tribe ''related'' to the Goths) also invaded Dalmatia in the 5th century. They ruled parts of Roman Dalmatia from 480 to 535 AD.

The old Roman cities of Dalmatia; Epidaurum, Narona and Salona which were then part of the Byzantine-Eastern Roman Empire, were destroyed or just abandoned. It is quite possible that townships on Corcyra Nigra (Korčula) had similar fates. This was due to the fact that the cities were not strategically set up for defence from constant invasions. According to various sources both Slavs and Avars participated in these events. The ''Avars'' were a nomadic people from Eurasian who invaded the Balkans  at the same time as the Slavs. In this historic period it is recorded that many of the churches on the island of Korčula were abandoned (or destroyed) and then rebuilt at a later stage. <ref>According to recent studies done at the '''University of Zadar''',  Slavs on the island of Korčula accepted Christianity fully in the 14th century. Reference from: University of Zadar-Sociogeographic Transformation of the Western Part of Korcula Island by Lena Mirosevic-2008 (p161)</ref> The Ostrogoths (a Germanic tribe ''related'' to the Goths) also invaded Dalmatia in the 5th century. They ruled parts of Roman Dalmatia from 480 to 535 AD.

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The new population of Slavs probably settled in the centre of the island and they spoke old Slavic '''Chakavian'''. 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 influence over the region. These events have been recorded historically by both Empires in chronicles of the time.

The new population of Slavs probably settled in the centre of the island and they spoke old Slavic '''Chakavian'''. 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 influence over the region. These events have been recorded historically by both Empires in chronicles of the time.

Here is a perfect example of a Slavic family surname becoming later Venetian in character. According to Marinko Gjivoje, Perussich in modern Croatian is ''Piruzović''.<ref>Otok Korčula (2nd edition) by Marinko Gjivoje], Zagreb 1969.  

Here is a perfect example of a Slavic family surname becoming later Venetian in character. According to Marinko Gjivoje, Perussich in modern Croatian is ''Piruzović''.<ref>Otok Korčula (2nd edition) by Marinko Gjivoje], Zagreb 1969.  

*The book outlines A-Z about the island of Korcula, from traditions, history, culture to wildlife, politics & geography. (p46-p47): ''Piruzović ''</ref>

*The book outlines A-Z about the island of Korcula, from traditions, history, culture to wildlife, politics & geography. (p46-p47): ''Piruzović ''</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>

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>