History

Prehistory

Rich archaeological finds across the entire island of Korčula, especially in caves—most notably Vela Spila near Vela Luka—attest to the development of prehistoric cultures from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, as well as to the maritime connections of the island’s early inhabitants with other parts of the Mediterranean.

The first known inhabitants of Korčula were the Illyrians. They fortified the island with numerous hilltop settlements (gradine) and created a communication network. The most well-known Illyrian site on Korčula is the late Iron Age necropolis of the hill fort settlement of Kopila near Blato, on the western part of the island. Grave finds, including imported Hellenistic pottery, glass, amber and metal jewellery, weapons, and clothing accessories, date from the mid-4th to the end of the 1st century BC, although some archaeological evidence suggests that Kopila was settled as early as the 7th century BC.
Recently initiated archaeological research at the Iron Age settlement site U Stine near the village of Žrnovo points to the existence of a significant and organised Illyrian community in the eastern part of the island. It controlled an important maritime route—the Pelješac Channel—and the finds also indicate Hellenistic influence and contact.

6th century BC

The island of Korčula emerges from historical anonymity with the arrival of the first Greek colonisers. They named it Korkyra Melaina—Black Corcyra—due to its strikingly dense forests. The earliest contacts with the Illyrian population were prompted by trade, but also by the Greeks’ sustained interest in natural resources—especially arable land, pastures, forests, and favourable geographic position.
The Greek presence was strengthened by the settlement of strategically important sites. Greek colonisation of the eastern Adriatic occurred in three phases, of which two are recorded on Korčula. The Archaic phase is dated to the 6th century BC and is associated with Greeks from the city of Knidos in present-day Turkey. Knowledge of this phase is derived indirectly from written sources, as no definite archaeological evidence of its location has yet been found.

3rd century BC

The Lumbarda Psephisma

A younger Greek settlement is archaeologically dated to the 3rd century BC and located in Lumbarda. The key find is a stone inscription known as the Lumbarda Psephisma. This is a contract between the newly arrived Greek settlers and the indigenous Illyrians – essentially a decree by the assembly establishing the city, dividing the land among settlers, and setting the terms of coexistence.
The Greek colonists came from the island of Issa (modern-day Vis) and fortified the town based on prior agreement with local Illyrian representatives. This inscription, discovered by chance in the late 19th century in Lumbarda, is also the oldest written monument on Croatian soil. Other notable finds include an ancient cistern at Koludrt and fine ceramics, now housed in the Korčula Town Museum. Despite its importance, the Issian settlement in Lumbarda did not last long.

229 BC

Corcyra Nigra or Black Korčula
comes under Roman control for the first time, as Rome is troubled by the successful piracy of Illyrian tribes in Dalmatia and wages war against them with varying success.

Around 180 BC

Korčula is mentioned as a key Illyrian stronghold against the Romans (Titus Livius, Ab urbe condita, XL, 42).

34–35 BC

The Roman general Octavian—later Emperor Augustus—attacks Illyrian Korčula, conquers it, and either kills or enslaves the entire population. During Augustus’s reign, the Illyrian state ceases to exist, and the eastern Adriatic coast becomes part of the Roman province of Illyricum.

476 AD

With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Korčula comes under the rule of Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, in 480 AD.