Original scientific paper

Reflexions about the Year of the Destruction of Salona

Ivan Marović

Abstract

During excavations, carried out in Salona in 1979, a hoard of Byzantine bronze coins were discovered(51 pieces) in the eastern part of the city (cfr. the paper of F. Oreb). The oldest coin from the hoardbelongs to Justinian I and the youngest to Heraclius with his son Heraclius Constantine. Accordingto generally accepted opinion the town area was never settled down after the destruction of Salona.Since in the above mentioned hoard the youngest coin of Heraclius was minted in 630/31 and since itwas found in the city area, the life must have existed there also after the year 614, established by Bulićas the year of the destruction of the town. The author reviewed all the earlier hypotheses concerningthe destruction and abandonment of Salona. Analyzing also other Heraclius coins from Salona whichwere minted after 614 and comparing them with the above mentioned youngest coin from thehoard, the author comes to the conclusion that the town was destroyed after 630/31, but before themission of the abbot Martin in this region, i. e. between 631 and 639.

Keywords

hoard of Byzantine bronze coins; Heraclius; destruction of Salona

Hrčak ID:

8320

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/8320

Publication date:

1.12.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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