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Liburnian maritime routes and their political, economic and strategic importance

Ancient Liburnia, stretching along the Eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, from the Raša River in Istria to the Krka River in Northern Dalmatia, including the islands adjacent to the coast, has always been a sea-faring region, and its people - the Liburni - have always been regarded as notorious pirates and sea-people. Ancient sources, both Greek and Roman, attest to that claim, which led many scientists to conclude that Liburnians, at some point during the 1st millennia BC, ruled over a large part of the Adriatic. Liburni were also known for the use of their native ships, later called liburnae, which were incorporated into the Roman navy due to their agility and speed. These ships must have been quite functional and adapted to the characteristics of the Adriatic coast, using the existing currents, small coves and inlets but also larger sea stations and ports, which is why they were most likely the main means of transport in Liburnian military (and trading?) exploits. The Liburnian territory later became part of the Roman province of Dalmatia and these maritime routes and the entire territory were incorporated into the Roman Empire, becoming one of the central economic but also political and strategic lifelines of the state. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyse maritime routes along the Eastern Adriatic coast, which Liburni took in their military and trading exploits, the potential maritime stations on the Liburnian territory and their importance in the development of their culture as well as in their ultimate incorporation into the Roman world. Furthermore, the potential use of these routes in modern touristic purposes will be considered, as well as their place within the Illyria route project.

Maritime routes, Liburnia, Roman world, trade, economy

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