Original scientific paper

The Battle of Pharos

Siniša Bilić-Dujmušić orcid.org/0000-0001-8375-2299 ; Catholic University of Croatia, CROATIA, 10000 Zagreb

Abstract

The author reconstructs the battle waged in 219 BC
by Roman Consul Lucius Aemilius Paullus against
Demetrius of Pharos near the settlement of Pharos.
Based on an analysis of the data from Polybius and
a review of the previous scholarly literature, he attempts
to define the sequence of military operations
and place them in specific locations. The battlefield
was located on the Kabal Peninsula, and the 50-70 m
high ridge that extends roughly down the middle of
the peninsula is deemed the decisive high ground; the
battle at that position is reconstructed.
The repercussions this conflict had for Rome, as
implied by Polybius, are considered, as are the consequences
for the other involved parties.
To the extent that it is currently feasible, and at
some points even beyond this, the work shall constitute an attempt to reconstruct the battle which was waged
not far from today’s town of Stari Grad on the island
of Hvar in 219 BC. This battle ended the era of the
town’s greatest political prosperity and its status as
the capital of a state much larger than a Greek polis,
with a sphere of influence extending across the
Pelješac Peninsula and Boka Kotarska and deep into
the mountains of today’s Albania.

Keywords

Pharos; Battle of Pharos; Aemilius Paullus; Demetrius of Pharos; Illyrian wars

Hrčak ID:

193080

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/193080

Publication date:

29.12.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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