Original scientific paper
Ecclesia Naronitana/Territory and boundaries
Jakov Vučić
Abstract
Narona is situated in the vicinity of the Neretva rivermouth. Under the Roman rule it developed into one of the most important centres in the wider area. In the late Roman period Narona became an episcopal see. The only mention of the bishopric of Narona is found in the Acts of the Salonitan Church Council from 530 and 533 A.D. The Acts have been preserved in the work of Historia Salonitana Maior. Although some authors strongly question it, the opinion of the authenticity of the Acts still prevails. Until today, the territory of the bishopric of Narona has not been determined. The first to write about it was N.Cambi, followed by P. Chevalier.
This work attempts to determine the boundaries of the bishopric of Narona. As the only preserved source, the Acts of the Salonitan Council, does not o?er an answer to this question, the only remaining possibility is to analyse earlier administrative division. On the basis of data analysis found in available literature as well as on the review of some of the unresolved topographical questions we may presume the territory of the bishopric of Narona up to 533. Together with the ager of Narona, it is most probable that some of the neighbouring municipalities appertained to the bishopric as well. Starting from the northwest, the boundary on the Makarska littoral most probably coincided with the hypothetical boundary of the Naronitan jurisdictive conventus at the locality of Vrulje (Dupci).
A territory of the Novae municipality was located east of the Makarska littoral. Due to the vicinity of the ager of Narona and due to good road connection with Narona, this municipality could also have appertained to the bishopric of Narona. Therefore, the north-eastern boundary could have been passing along the northern brim of Imotski field and the northern brim of Posušje field. The area of Mostar most probably appertained to the bishopric of Narona as well. The inscription from Tepčić and numerous remains of early Christian architectural sculpture of Naronitan workshops found in the vicinity of Mostar attribute to that hypothesis. The boundary would therefore have been located north of Široki Brijeg and Mostar, somewhat above Potok and Humilišani. Due to historical and geographical relations, it is only natural to include the area of the Diluntum municipality into the bishopric of Narona. The boundary would thus go across the Velež mountain towards the northeastern rim of Dabar field and then turn southwest, following the boundary of the ager of Epidaur and the municipality of Diluntum and arriving at the sea somewhere between Slano and Zaton. Peninsula Pelješac and islands of Mljet, Lastovo and Korčula also appertained to the bishopric of Narona. The presupposed territory coincides in most part with the territory of the bishopric of Narona suggested by N. Cambi.
However, this hypothesis is on no account a final solution. Analysis of architecture and sculpture of the wider territory as well as more detailed recording of archaeological sites in the future is most certain to either complete it or change it.
Keywords
Salonitan Church Council; Naronitan Church
Hrčak ID:
2525
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2005.
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