Po redaktohet Delminium (paragraf)

== Historical research ==
The location of the ancient Delminium near the present-day [[Tomislavgrad]] was first reported by [[Karl Patsch]]. He based his conclusion on archeological research between 1896 and 1898, which located ancient settlements in Crkvina and Karaula in Tomislavgrad. Patsch located Delminium 9&nbsp;km southeast from Tomislavgrad at the [[Lib (mountain)|Lib]] mountain. Patsch's conclusion was soon accepted by many other notable researchers, including [[Ferdo Šišić]], [[Vladimir Ćorović]], [[Ćiro Truhelka]] and others.{{sfn|Škegro|2000|p=396}}

Based on the position of Delminium and its strength and resistance to the Roman military, Patsch concluded that Delminium served as a centre of the [[Dalmatae]]. These observations were based on the writings of [[Strabo]], [[Appian]] and [[Works attributed to Florus|Florus]].{{sfn|Škegro|2000|p=398}}

The area has been inhabited by the [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] tribe of [[Dalmatae]]{{sfn|Wilkes|2000|p=597}} and Delminium was a town established by them near present-day Tomislavgrad.{{sfn|Wilkes|1992|p=188}}

The area of Tomislavgrad was populated even before Illyrians arrived, as attested by a few remains of polished stone axes dating from the [[Neolithic]] (4000 BC &ndash; 2400 BC).<ref name=Bagaric>{{in lang|hr}} Bagarić, Ivo. Duvno: Povijest župa duvanjskog samostana. Sveta baština. 1989</ref> Similarly few remains date from the ensuing [[Bronze Age]] (1800 BC &ndash; 800 BC): 34 bronze sickles, 3 axes and 2 spears found in [[Stipanjići]] and [[Lug (Tomislavgrad)|Lug]] near Tomislavgrad, and a bronze axe found in [[Letka]], were kept at the archaeological collection at the [[monastery]] in [[Široki Brijeg]], which was destroyed in a fire at the end of [[World War II]]. Only one sickle and one axe survived the blaze. Those findings attest that the population of the area at the time were cattlemen, farmers and warriors.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=9}}

The material remains of Illyrians are much more abundant. On the slopes of the mountains which circle Tomislavgrad, Illyrians built a total of 21 [[fort]]s which served as watchtowers and defensive works.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=10}} There are also many Illyrian [[burial]] sites dating from the Bronze and the [[Iron Age]] to the Roman conquest. The [[grave goods]] recovered include [[jewellery]] and other items.<ref name=Bagaric/>  Apart from Illyrians, other inhabitants of the area included [[Celts]], whose [[Gallic invasion of the Balkans|incursions into the Balkans]] began in 4th century BC. They brought higher culture, crafts and better weapons.<ref name=Bagaric2>{{cite book |last=Bagarić |first=Ivo |title=Duvno - Short Monograph |publisher=Župni ured sv. Franje Asiškog |location=Bukovica |date=1980 |oclc=255541281 |language=hr}}</ref> The Celts were few in number and were soon assimilated into the Illyrians.<ref name=Bagaric2/>

As Romans conquered the territory of the Illyrian tribe [[Ardiaei]] to the south, the Delmatae and their tribal union were among the last bastions of Illyrian autonomy. Dalmataes attacked Roman guard posts near the [[Neretva]], Greek merchant towns, and the Roman-friendly Illyrian tribe [[Daorson|Daorsi]]. They upgraded their settlement into a strong fort and surrounded their capital with a ring of smaller forts.<ref name=Bagaric2/> The reports of writers from that time say that Delminium was a "large city", almost inaccessible and impregnable. It is assumed that at this time 5,000 Dalmataes lived in Delminium.<ref name=Bagaric2/>

In 167 BC the Illyiran forts were unable to stop [[Roman legion]]s; after the Romans conquered the whole Adriatic coast south of the Neretva and after the state of the Ardieaei was destroyed, the Dalmatae were unable to avoid conflict with Romans. In 156 BC, the first conflict between the Dalmatae and the Romans took place, ending the following year in defeat for the Delmatae. Roman generals Figulus and [[Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica Corculum|Cornelius Scipio Nasica]] conquered, destroyed and burned Delminium, reportedly firing burning arrows at wooden houses.<ref name=Bagaric2/> After various revolts led by the Dalmatae and three wars between them and Romans, their resistance was finally quelled in the [[Great Illyrian revolt]] that ended in 9 AD.

=== Roman rule ===
[[File:CILIII9737Delminium.jpg|thumb|Grave of the legionary soldier Caius Longinus from Amblada who died in Delminium. Grave is now located in museum in [[Split (city)|Split]], Croatia]]
After Roman conquest of Delminium, Romans started building roads and bridges. Roads that led to mainland of Balkans from Adriatic coast in [[Salona]] (Solin) and [[Narona]] ([[Vid, Croatia|Vid]] near [[Metković]]) crossed in Delminium (Tomislavgrad). Remains of those and other Roman roads are still in existence. Romans introduced their culture, language, legislation and religion. For next 400 years Delminium was in peace.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=12}}
 
After Romans finally defeated Dalmataes, Tomislavgrad was almost abandoned. There was also, for some period, a military crew of Romans stationed there to keep Illyrians under control. Romans started to rebuild Delminium in 18 and 19 AD in time of emperor [[Tiberius]]. During that time, center of city was built, a Roman forum. This forum was built on possession of present-day Nikola Tavelić basilica.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=13}} In 1896 Fra Anđeo Nunić discovered various sculptures of Roman deities, fragments of sarcophagi, and fragments of columns of medieval Christian church. From all those discoveries, most prominent are two votive monuments and altars dedicated to goddess [[Diana (mythology)|Diana]], one altar dedicated to native Illyrian god Armatus and one votive plate dedicated to goddess [[Libera (mythology)|Libera]]. Later, relief of goddess Diana was also found and one relief of Diana and [[Silvanus (mythology)|Silvanus]] together. Also, new altars, fragments of sarcophagi, clay pottery, parts of columns, and various other findings from Roman and early medieval age were found. This led to conclusion that on place of present-day Catholic graveyard "Karaula" (which was previously an Ottoman military border post and guardhouse) was Roman and Illyrian sanctuary and graveyard.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=14}}

In 1969, a tablet, which was part of an altar, was found near village [[Letka]]. It is dedicated to the Roman god of war, [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]] by a soldier of the 9th Legion. A year later, in village [[Prisoje (Tomislavgrad)|Prisoje]], a Christian font was found and part of a tomb, made by father Juvenal to his son Juvenal.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=14}}

=== After Roman Empire ===
Roman Delminium survived for two centuries during the great migrations. During that time, Delminium was partly damaged and somewhere in middle 5th century, the Roman forum was destroyed.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire in 476, Delminium was ruled by the Germanic [[Goths]] between 493 and 537. After Delminium came under [[Byzantine Empire]] in 573, the city was fully recovered. But, soon it was again highly damaged by new arrivals and deducted from the Byzantine Empire in 600.{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=14}}

In middle of 7th century, Delminium was inhabited by [[Croats]].{{sfn|Bagarić|1980|p=14}}