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[[File:290px-Croatia topo.jpg|thumb|right|425px| Modern Croatia (Hrvatska)]]

[[File:290px-Croatia topo.jpg|thumb|right|425px| Modern Croatia (Hrvatska)]]

The first factual primary source,  to mention the [[Croatia|Croatian]] (Hrvat) identity in the Balkans was that of '''Duke Branimir''' (Written in Latin:'' "Branimiro comite dux cruatorum cogitavit"''  c. 880 AD). <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EqNiAAAAMAAJ&q=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&dq=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&hl=en&ei=MljwTfHIIoyKuAOO3_WhBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA  A History of the Croatian Language:] by Milan Mogus (p.13)</ref> Duke Branimir was a Slav from Dalmatia.  

The first factual primary source,  to mention the [[Croatia|Croatian]] (Hrvat) identity in the Balkans was that of '''Duke Branimir''' (Written in Latin:'' "Branimiro comite dux cruatorum cogitavit"''  c. 880 AD). <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EqNiAAAAMAAJ&q=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&dq=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&hl=en&ei=MljwTfHIIoyKuAOO3_WhBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA  A History of the Croatian Language:] by Milan Mogus (p.13)</ref> Duke Branimir was a Slav from Dalmatia.  

With time one of the Slavic tribes <ref>The term ''Slav'' was first used by the Byzantines-Eastern Roman Empire (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in '''Latin''' it was written Sclaveni.</ref> within Dalmatian Ducatus of the Carolingian Empire became the political elite and the leaders (dux) of the province. The fore-mentioned Slavic political elite from the late 9th century onwards were referred to as Cruatorum. This is when the first time that the [[Croatian Identity|Croatian identity]] (Hrvat) was used c. 880 AD.<ref>[http://mq.academia.edu/DanijelDzino/Papers/163667/Becoming_Slav_Becoming_Croat_New_approaches_in_research_of_identities_in_post-Roman_Illyricum Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat: New approaches in research of identities in post-Roman Illyricum] by Danijel Dzino

With time one of the Slavic tribes <ref>The term ''Slav'' was first used by the Byzantines-Eastern Roman Empire (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in '''Latin''' it was written Sclaveni.</ref> within Dalmatian Ducatus of the Carolingian Empire became the political elite and the leaders (dux) of the province. The fore-mentioned Slavic political elite from the late 9th century onwards were referred to as Cruatorum. This is when the first time that the [[Croatian Identity|Croatian identity]] (Hrvat) was used c. 880 AD.<ref>[http://mq.academia.edu/DanijelDzino/Papers/163667/Becoming_Slav_Becoming_Croat_New_approaches_in_research_of_identities_in_post-Roman_Illyricum Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat: New approaches in research of identities in post-Roman Illyricum] by Danijel Dzino

</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EqNiAAAAMAAJ&q=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&dq=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&hl=en&ei=MljwTfHIIoyKuAOO3_WhBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA  A History of the Croatian Language:] by Milan Mogus (p.13)</ref> Cruatorum is a '''Latin''' translation of Hrvat. <ref>It is believed that Hrvat in medieval times was pronounced "'''Harvat or Hrovat'''". Hrovat was translated to Latin: Chroatorum and then simplified to Croatorum.</ref><ref>Hrvat or Horoúathos are names of Sarmatian origins. In 1853 a Russian archaeologist Pavel Mikhailovich Leontjev discovered the Tanais Tablets. The Tanais Tablets mention three men: Horoúathos, Horoáthos, and Horóathos (Χορούαθ[ος], Χοροάθος, Χορόαθος). They are written in Greek and are from the 3rd century AD from the city of Tanais, today's Azov, [[Russia]]. At that time the region had a mixed [[Greece|Greek]]-Sarmatian population (Persian in origins).

</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EqNiAAAAMAAJ&q=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&dq=BRANIMIRO+COMITE+DUX+CRUATORUM+cogitavit&hl=en&ei=MljwTfHIIoyKuAOO3_WhBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA  A History of the Croatian Language:] by Milan Mogus (p.13)</ref> Cruatorum is a '''Latin''' translation of Hrvat. <ref>It is believed that Hrvat in medieval times was pronounced "'''Harvat or Hrovat'''". It was translated to Latin: Chroatorum and then simplified to Croatorum.</ref><ref>Hrvat or Horoúathos are names of Sarmatian origins. In 1853 a Russian archaeologist Pavel Mikhailovich Leontjev discovered the Tanais Tablets. The Tanais Tablets mention three men: Horoúathos, Horoáthos, and Horóathos (Χορούαθ[ος], Χοροάθος, Χορόαθος). They are written in Greek and are from the 3rd century AD from the city of Tanais, today's Azov, [[Russia]]. At that time the region had a mixed [[Greece|Greek]]-Sarmatian population (Persian in origins).

'''Editors note''': From the information above one can conclude that we are dealing with contact between Slavic and Sarmatian tribes from the late antiquity. From a modern day perspective the Sarmatian historical footprint is non existent. All traces of these people have disappeared other than Slavic terms surrounding the word or name Hrvat which translates to English as Croat.</ref>   

'''Editors note''': From the information above one can conclude that we are dealing with contact between Slavic and Sarmatian tribes from the late antiquity. From a modern day perspective the Sarmatian historical footprint is non existent. All traces of these people have disappeared other than Slavic terms surrounding the word or name Hrvat which translates to English as Croat.</ref>   

The medieval state borders have been a matter of huge debate and will remain so until new historical evidence is found. However there is some factual information. The river Cetina was a major border in the south. The [[Dalmatian Italians#Early History|Roman cities]] of '''Jadera''' (Zara/Zadar), '''Spalatum''' (Spalato/Split), '''Ragusa''' (Dubrovnik) and '''Trau''' (Trogir) with their surrounding areas never became part of the state other than for a short period under Peter Kresimir IV. Other parts of the Dalmatian coast did. In the north the river Sava was a major border (Lower Pannonia). The region south of the river Cetina has been sometimes historically referred to as Red Croatia,<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA62&dq=V.+Klaić+Red+Croatia+John+Fine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8RbkUN3YJ4iZkAW4lIGIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=V.%20Klaić%20Red%20Croatia%20John%20Fine&f=false  When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:]  by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p62-p63)

The medieval state borders have been a matter of huge debate and will remain so until new historical evidence is found. However there is some factual information. The river Cetina was a major border in the south. The [[Dalmatian Italians#Early History|Roman cities]] of '''Jadera''' (Zara/Zadar), '''Spalatum''' (Spalato/Split), '''Ragusa''' (Dubrovnik) and '''Trau''' (Trogir) with their surrounding areas never became part of the state other than for a short period under Peter Kresimir IV. Other parts of the Dalmatian coast did. In the north the river Sava was a major border (Lower Pannonia). The region south of the river Cetina has been sometimes historically referred to as Red Croatia,<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA62&dq=V.+Klaić+Red+Croatia+John+Fine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8RbkUN3YJ4iZkAW4lIGIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=V.%20Klaić%20Red%20Croatia%20John%20Fine&f=false  When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:]  by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p62-p63)

  John V. A. Fine Jr: {{quote|

  John V. A. Fine Jr</ref>  which would indicate Croatian influence was felt beyond the river Cetina.  

''F. Rački and V. Klaić think these Croats may have operated not only along the coast but inland as far east as what is now Kosovo, intermixed with Serb or other Slavic tribes...'' }}</ref>  which would indicate Croatian influence was felt beyond the river Cetina.  

In the late 12 century the state fell into crisis ''when'' the neighbouring Hungarians-Magyars used this opportunity to expand their own state. In 1102 it ceased to exist and it became politically part of the ''Kingdom of Hungary'' <ref>'''Note''': It has been mentioned that the Croatians at first enjoyed a fair amount of independence under the Hungarians</ref>. Parts of Croatian territory later came under Habsburg rule (Habsburg Monarchy was ''renamed'' Austro Hungarian Empire). The political power within the provence was transferred from Dalmatia's northern hinterland to the city of Zagreb, further inland (Zagreb was a Roman town of Andautonia). Zagreb today is the capital of modern Croatia.  Over time the coastal part of Dalmatia became part of the Republic of Venice. The Republic of Venice controlled most of Dalmatia from 1420 to 1797.  

In the late 12 century the state fell into crisis ''when'' the neighbouring Hungarians-Magyars used this opportunity to expand their own state. In 1102 it ceased to exist and it became politically part of the ''Kingdom of Hungary'' <ref>'''Note''': It has been mentioned that the Croatians at first enjoyed a fair amount of independence under the Hungarians</ref>. Parts of Croatian territory later came under Habsburg rule (Habsburg Monarchy was ''renamed'' Austro Hungarian Empire). The political power within the provence was transferred from Dalmatia's northern hinterland to the city of Zagreb, further inland (Zagreb was a Roman town of Andautonia). Zagreb today is the capital of modern Croatia.  Over time the coastal part of Dalmatia became part of the Republic of Venice. The Republic of Venice controlled most of Dalmatia from 1420 to 1797.  

== Roman Dalmatia and the Old Kingdom ==

== Roman Dalmatia and the Old Kingdom ==

 

Slavic tribes invaded the region of [[Dalmatian Italians#Roman Dalmatia |Roman Dalmatia]] in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of the Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a '''Roman Latin-Illyrian''' population. Sections of the old Roman Dalmatian province became part of the Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102 AD).  

Slavic tribes invaded the region of [[Dalmatian Italians#Roman Dalmatia |Roman Dalmatia]] in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of the Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a '''Roman Latin-Illyrian''' population. Sections of the old Roman Dalmatian province became part of the Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102 AD).  

Contemporary historian 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 invading the region. According to historians ''Florin Curta'' and Danijel Dzino the term Slavs was first used by outside observers of the day (Greco-Roman) 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. There was also a good deal of interaction between the groups as shown by DNA studies.

Contemporary historian 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 invading the region. According to historians ''Florin Curta'' and Danijel Dzino the term Slavs was first used by outside observers of the day (Greco-Roman) 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. There was also a good deal of interaction between the groups as shown by DNA studies.

 

The issue of dates is an interesting one. Historians from the 18th and 19th century place the ''settlement'' of the Slavs into the Western Balkans in the 7th century but the more modern research undertaken by scholars and archaeologists<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC&pg=PA52&dq=croatian+graves+medieval+dalmatian+dating&hl=en&ei=LA6HTan-IsGHcYbf3Y4D&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat:] Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia by Danijel Dzino (p52).</ref> cannot confirm this. The arrival and ''settlement'' of the Slavs in small groups 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> The early sources must have reflected the '''raid''' activity of the Slavic tribes within Roman Dalmatia.

The issue of dates is an interesting one. Historians from the 18th and 19th century place the ''settlement'' of the Slavs into the Western Balkans in the 7th century but the more modern research undertaken by scholars and archaeologists<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=6UbOtJcF8rQC&pg=PA52&dq=croatian+graves+medieval+dalmatian+dating&hl=en&ei=LA6HTan-IsGHcYbf3Y4D&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat:] Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia by Danijel Dzino (p52).</ref> cannot confirm this. The arrival and ''settlement'' of the Slavs in small groups 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> The early sources must have reflected the '''raid''' activity of the Slavic tribes within Roman Dalmatia.

According to the Baska tablet from 1100 AD they spoke old Slavic Chakavian. [http://www.croatianhistory.net/glagoljica/baska.mp3 Baska tablet-mp3] <ref>Note ''Baska tablet'' was translated in 1875, it's language is Old Slavic Croatian Chakavian with elements of liturgical Church Slavonic.</ref>

According to the Baska tablet from 1100 AD they spoke old Slavic Chakavian. [http://www.croatianhistory.net/glagoljica/baska.mp3 Baska tablet-mp3] <ref>Note ''Baska tablet'' was translated in 1875, it's language is Old Slavic Croatian Chakavian with elements of liturgical Church Slavonic.</ref>

 

==Editor's Note==

==Editor's Note==

When the Serbian forces were annihilated in the ''Battle of Kosovo'' by the [[Directory:Turkey|Ottoman Empire]] in '''1389''' very large groups of peoples started to migrate westward. The Ottomans caused huge instability in the area and actually managed to twice besiege Vienna. The Western Balkans from that period forward began to acquire new groups of people in its regions (i.e., new Croatians, Serbs, Albanians, Greeks, Turks & others), thus creating new ethnic mixes. I believe that due to these events the old Slavic tribal borders, what was left of them, changed forever during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.  

When the Serbian forces were annihilated in the ''Battle of Kosovo'' by the [[Directory:Turkey|Ottoman Empire]] in '''1389''' very large groups of peoples started to migrate westward. The Ottomans caused huge instability in the area and actually managed to twice besiege Vienna. The Western Balkans from that period forward began to acquire new groups of people in its regions (i.e., new Croatians, Serbs, Albanians, Greeks, Turks & others), thus creating new ethnic mixes. I believe that due to these events the old Slavic tribal borders, what was left of them, changed forever during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.  

It is true that some of the origins of some of these words denoting southern slavic groups (i.e. Horvat) can be traced further back in history. Some have wrongly associated the etymology of these words to proclaim ethnicities or national identities back deep into the past. To my understanding there is no real hard historic proof that these ethnic identities existed.  

It is true that some of the origins of some of these words denoting southern slavic groups (i.e. Harvat, Horvat) can be traced further back in history. Some have wrongly associated the etymology of these words to proclaim ethnicities or national identities back deep into the past. To my understanding there is no real hard historic proof that these ethnic identities existed.  

=== Language and Identity, Politics of Language Standardisation, Nationalistic and Communist Ideologies ===

=== Language and Identity, Politics of Language Standardisation, Nationalistic and Communist Ideologies ===

The old language groups which have become diluted over time and are slowly becoming extinct (now referred to as dialects) may reflect some of the many original Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

The old language groups which have become diluted over time and are slowly becoming extinct (now referred to as dialects) may reflect some of the many original Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

For example does a seventh generation [[Australia|Australian]] with English background start saying in modern Australia that he is a '''Saxon''' and start a nationalistic movement to assert his beliefs upon others. On the other hand certain historic perspectives in which it is states that there is no Croatian Identity or medieval peoples is incorrect. From this Editors perspective there is strong evidence that we are looking at a tribe that settled in the northern Dalmatian Hinterland and it's surrounding area who for a brief moment in history dominated the region of the western Balkans.

For example does a seventh generation [[Australia|Australian]] with English background start saying in modern Australia that he is a '''Saxon''' and start a nationalistic movement to assert his beliefs upon others. On the other hand certain historic perspectives in which it is states that there is no Croatian Identity or medieval peoples is incorrect. From this Editors perspective there is strong evidence that we are looking at a tribe that settled in the northern Dalmatian Hinterland and it's surrounding area who for a brief moment in history dominated the region of the western Balkans.

 

[[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]]

* [[Croatia]]

 

==Notes and References==

==Notes and References==

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