Original scientific paper

APSORUS AND CREXA ON THE ADRIATIC WAY

MARIN ZANINOVIĆ

Abstract

The North Adriatic and especially the islands of Cres and Lošinj, the antiquity period Electrides, are related to mythographic tradition preserved by authors in antiquity. These were especially motifs of return of Troy heroes Anthenor and Diomed and the travels of the Argonauts. The old Croatian historians, starting from Vincent Pribojević in the 16th century, then Ivan Lučić in the 17th century, Šime Ljubić in the 19th century and G. Novak, A Mayer, P. Lisičar and other younger historians paid attention to these traditions looking for some traces of historical truth.
There are numerous foreign authors who were occupied with this problem, especially R. L. Beaumont, J. Bérard, S. Ferri, L. Braccessi, L. M. Nava etc. Today it is accepted the fact that in the sailing of Homer’s heroes, called ‘nostoi’ it could be seen the memory of Mycenae and post-Mycenae sailing and maybe earlier Cretan sailing when they were looking to exchange products on the mouth of the River Po. Here the pre-historic ways from central and north Europe joined and here was one of the important amber routes. This was the basis for the beautiful myth about Heliadas and Faetont on the mouth of Eridan and the islands of Electrides.
A few Mycenaean objects and ceramics discovered along the Croatian coast as well as amber heritage of Fratta Polesina near Rovigo, together with amber treasure from Tyrint, archeologically proved those traditions preserved in mythographic tradition that these ancient sailings were used for trade and the exchange of goods.
The safe and protected ports of Cres and Osor on Lošinj had important roles in this old sailing route. They were the last stops before the turn around the Istrian Peninsula and sailing further towards Adria and Spina on the mouth of the Po. It is necessary to emphasise something, which have not been noticed before and this is the existence of Budava Bay, which actually was the port of Nezacium, the main centre of ancient Histri. This was a port settlement. This fact explains its importance and role in proto-history as well as in antiquity. This was confirmed by archaeological excavations from corresponding periods of time. This was a centre of intensive exchange of goods on the prehistoric amber routes and other goods for prehistory trade, proto-history and antiquity.

Keywords

Apsorus; Crexa; mythographic tradition; The North Adriatic

Hrčak ID:

17758

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/17758

Publication date:

30.12.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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