Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31953/sz.46.1.6
TRANSFORMATION OF PREHISTORIC TO HISTORIC LANDSCAPE: THE EXAMPLE OF CIVITAS LOPSICA
Vedrana Glavaš
orcid.org/0000-0003-2963-2178
; Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar
Miroslav Glavičić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2391-5740
; Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar
Abstract
This paper presents a part of the results of years of archaeological research,
whose main goal is the study of complex process of Romanisation of peregrine civitates
in the area of Velebit Mt. during the first century BC and the first century AD. Civitas
Lopsica has been selected as an example of Romanisation, whose center was located at
the Gradina hillfort, near present day village of Sveti Juraj, located at the foot of Velebit
Mountain near Senj. Lopsica is mentioned in ancient historical sources but it is particularly
important that it was mentioned in the list of important Liburnian settlements by Plinius
the Elder who referred to it as oppidum. During the first century AD, Lopsica achieved
municipal status, which was confirmed by epigraphic evidence. Onomastic analysis shows
that the inscriptions mentioned members of the autochthonous Romanised aristocracy,
who maintained their acquired positions of authority and were a privileged class in the
administrative and economic structure of the municipium.
Civitas and the municipium of Lopsica encompassed the coastal region as well as the
area that stretched deep into the interior of Velebit Mountain. Combined with the data from
earlier studies, recent reviews of terrain and aerial photos have enabled a better overview of
the landscape and thus more precise determination of the community boundaries, as well
as the way of life in the mountain area that, considering its high karst morphology, seems
highly unsuitable for living. The mountain provided great conditions for cattle breeding and
the exploitation of forest resources, from which locals could have had significant benefits. The
favorable strategic and transportation position and a busy harbor encouraged the development
of trade which took place over the mountain passes with Iapodes inland. Changes that occurred
in the landscape during the Iron Age and early antiquity can still be seen today.
Keywords
Lopsica; peregrine community (civitas); romanization; municipium
Hrčak ID:
231930
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2019.
Visits: 1.775 *