Dalmatia (Roman province)

In 229 BC, Roman galleys sailed into the Adriatic Sea to confront pirates operating from the coast of modern-day Albania and Croatia. The Romans fought three distinct conflicts against the kingdom of the Ardiaei during this period. These wars spanned from 229 BC through 168 BC and targeted a specific southern region along the Dinaric Alps. In 168 BC, Roman forces abolished the Ardiaean kingdom entirely. They divided the territory into three separate republics under their control. Livy recorded these events in his history of Rome, noting the strategic shift from protectorate status to direct rule. Pirates continued raiding north-eastern Italy despite the initial victories. Octavian later launched campaigns between 35 BC and 33 BC to secure the inland areas. This series of military actions established Roman dominance over the entire Adriatic coastline.

Provincial Division And Administration

Gaius Vibius Postumus served as the military commander of Dalmatia under Germanicus in 9 AD. Velleius Paterculus wrote about this command in his compendium of Roman history. His text represents the earliest surviving writing that indicates the province of Illyricum comprised both Dalmatia and Pannonia. An inscription on the base of a statue of Nero was erected between 54 AD and 68 AD by a veteran of a legion stationed in Pannonia. This artifact suggests a separate Pannonia existed at least since the reign of Nero. However, Šašel-Kos points out an inscription attesting a governor of Illyricum under Claudius who ruled from 41 AD to 54 AD. A military diploma published in July 61 AD mentioned units of auxiliaries from the Pannonian part of the province were stationed in Illyricum. These conflicting records led scholars to believe the dissolution occurred during the reign of Vespasian between 69 AD and 79 AD. The administrative organization of Illyricum took place late in the reign of Augustus and early in the reign of Tiberius.

When did Roman galleys first sail into the Adriatic Sea to confront pirates in Dalmatia?

Roman galleys sailed into the Adriatic Sea in 229 BC to confront pirates operating from the coast of modern-day Albania and Croatia. These forces fought three distinct conflicts against the kingdom of the Ardiaei during this period.

Who served as the military commander of Dalmatia under Germanicus in 9 AD?

Gaius Vibius Postumus served as the military commander of Dalmatia under Germanicus in 9 AD. Velleius Paterculus wrote about this command in his compendium of Roman history.

During which years was Dalmatia part of the praetorian prefecture of Italy Africa and Illyricum after Constantine the Great died?

Dalmatia fell under the praetorian prefecture of Italia Africa et Illyricum following the death of Constantine the Great in 337 AD. Constans removed Macedonia Dacia and Pannonia from that larger prefecture in either 343 or 347 AD to form a separate praetorian prefecture for those regions.

When did coastal Dalmatia become fully romanized according to Theodor Mommsen?

German historian Theodor Mommsen wrote that coastal Dalmatia and its islands were fully romanized by the 4th century. He claimed Latin-speaking populations dominated the region during this era while native Illyrian speakers continued to use their own language throughout rural areas.

In what year did Odoacer annex Dalmatia to his kingdom of Italy after defeating Ovida?

Odoacer defeated Ovida and annexed Dalmatia to his kingdom of Italy after Julius Nepos was assassinated in 480 AD. Zeno sent Theodoric the Great to Italy four years later to remove Odoacer from power.

Dalmatia (Roman province)

Provincial Division And Administration

Up Next

Continue Browsing

Common questions

When did Roman galleys first sail into the Adriatic Sea to confront pirates in Dalmatia?

Who served as the military commander of Dalmatia under Germanicus in 9 AD?

During which years was Dalmatia part of the praetorian prefecture of Italy Africa and Illyricum after Constantine the Great died?

When did coastal Dalmatia become fully romanized according to Theodor Mommsen?

In what year did Odoacer annex Dalmatia to his kingdom of Italy after defeating Ovida?

Diocletianic Reforms And Late Empire

Romanization Versus Local Continuity

Fifth Century Political Collapse