Zadar

Zadar traces its origins to the 9th century BC as a settlement of the Illyrian tribe of the Liburnians, called Iader. In 59 BC, it was renamed Iadera (Jadera) when it became a Roman municipium. In 48 BC, it became a Roman colony. During Roman rule, Zadar acquired the characteristics of a traditional ancient Roman city, with a regular street grid, a public square (forum), and an elevated capitolium with a temple. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Zadar became the capital of the Byzantine Theme of Dalmatia.

At the beginning of the 9th century, Zadar briefly came under Frankish rule. In 998, the city swore allegiance to Doge Pietro II Orseolo and became a vassal of the Republic of Venice. In 1186, it placed itself under the protection of the Hungarian King Béla III.