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By visiting the traces of Lucius Artorius Castus in Podstrana, you too take a stride deep into the legend of King Arthur
Fragments of inscription on the sarcophagus of Lucius Artorius Castus of the 2nd century AD, found in the fence surrounding the old church of St. Martin in Podstrana, make historic evidence of his ancient asylum and a long time gone empire.
These archaeological artefacts related to the Roman commander of an exceptional military career, also make part of the legend of King Arthur. The first to propose this thesis was the British scholar Malone (1924), nowadays to be confirmed by scientific researche of Littleton, Malcor, Mathews, Gidlow, Green, among others.
Who was Lucius Artorius Castus, the person who provided inspiration for the legend of King Arthur?
He was a historic figure who advanced from the position of a soldier, to a centurion, a legion commander, a Roman fleet prefect, eventually to have ended his career and life in his province of Liburnia, the present day Dalmatia, in Podstrana – Sveti Martin.
Having become famous in the battles and wars against the Armenian hordes, Lucius also acquired the right to sentence Roman citizens to death. Besides by his military merits, Lucius is also known for instigating development of olive planting in the area of the present day Podstrana.
Numerous historic traces of the tempestuous war events in the area of Podstrana are still deep under the ground. Just like Lucius long time before him, the Croatian Prince Mislav left his traces in the soil of Podstrana in the 9th century. In the year 839, he defeated the mighty Venetian fleet, whereupon the Venetian Dodge, Pietro Tradonico, in Podstrana – Sveti Martin signed a treaty committing Venice to pay the Croatian Prince Mislav an annual tribute for free sailing the Croatian see. Historians claim that this historic treaty was signed in the former chambers of Lucius Artorius Castus, at that time still preserved.
Visit Podstrana and join us in our search for new traces of the legend of King Arthur, that historians have been led to by the archaeological artefacts of the life and death of Lucius Artorius Castus here, in our and your Podstrana. Somewhere under th fertile land planted with olives and citruses, there are numerous, still undiscovered, remains of the Lucius’ retreat and farming villa and mausoleum. It is possible that you of all us find them…
Nenad Cambi, Academy Member, Prof. Neven Šerić, PhD, Zoran Jurišić Ass. El. Eng.
Foto: Tz Podstrana
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