Salona

Salona, an ancient and now ruined city of Dalmatia, stood at the head of a gulf of the Adriatic, about 3 miles NE. of the spot on which Diocletian afterwards built his gigantic palace of Spalato (q.v.). It was made a Roman colony in 78 B.C., and later became the capital of Dalmatia and one of the most important cities and seaports of provincial Rome. But it was frequently captured by the Goths and other barbarians, and in 639 was completely destroyed by the Avars. The inhabitants who escaped took refuge in Hadrian's palace. The ruins have been excavated during the 19th century; there are now to be seen remains of the former walls, the shell of the ancient Christian cathedral, traces of an amphitheatre, and other structures. The city was early made the seat of a bishop, who was soon advanced to the dignity of archbishop of all Dalmatia. After the destruction of the city the archbishop converted the temple of Jupiter at Spalato into his cathedral.