Can Anyone Recommend a Good Book for Ancient Illyrian/Dalmatian History?

I will be traveling to Dalmatia this year with my beautiful fiancé and I've been looking around for a book(s) that cover the history of the region from ancient to early Medieval times.

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So far I've found the two books below;

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Has anyone read either of the two that could comment? The top book had mixed reviews and the bottom one was written by Aurthur Evans so it's not exactly the latest and greatest.

Do any of you have other books/resources you could recommend ? I would also be interested in any books from the medieval period on as that will be my next reading target

P.S.: You can all expect a write up on Diocletian when I get back as well Any of you who have been to Dalmatia already feel free to pile on with advice/cool pictures!

 

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Where exactly are you going? I've been to Pula on the Istria peninsula, but I think the Dalmatian coast is further south. We're planning another trip to Crotia next Spring or Fall, so I will be waiting to read your report. I have a couple of friends who have asked me to go metal detecting with them.

 

Nice! I won't be getting as far north as Pula but I think I'll be regretting that as I'll miss out on the excellently preserved amphitheater. Too little time this year . How long ago where you there?

I will be starting from Split (I'm excited to stay the night inside the walls of Diocletian's palace), staying for a bit on Korkula (Marco Polo's birthplace) and Dubrovnik and then heading home after Montenegro.

I know the outline of the regions history but I would like to soak up as much as possible before I go. When traveling anywhere I have found that knowledge of the regions history always makes for a funner trip.

Seems that there is not nearly as much by way of historical resources as I had hoped.

 

It's been just a couple years since we were there last. I was contracted by the US Embassy to do some work in Pula. Actually several times. It's a good travel destination if for no other reason than the Roman ruins throughout the town. And yes, the amphitheater is fantastic and well preserved. But all I ever had was a travel book of the area, but I was provided with local guides and security (not sure why I needed security), so all I had to do was ask. Good food and drink as well.

Again, I'll be anxious to read your travel report. When are you going? Pula got plenty hot and humid in the summer months. I think Dubrovnik does as well.

 

Wow those are awesome photos Bing!

I'll be going in September. I figure that's the beginning of the shoulder season so it will still be warm and everything still be available but hopefully less crowds.

 

My recommendation is mid to late September. I was in Rome during the first part of September and each day the temp was around 106 degrees F.

 

There were many important Illyrian Emperors. From the list below, there were many to chose from and they ruled over several centuries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrian_emperors

I can not imagine a single book that is comprehensive of the many and diverse Illyrian Emperors and the various and complicated periods of Roman history that they ruled.

Does any specific emperor or period of time interest you?

 

Thank you for the response Bart. I don't mind getting more than one book if need be.

My thought was to start at the beginning in the Illyrian Kingdoms period and see how far I can get into the history from there. I will be visiting Daorson on the way to Dubrovnik so I would like to learn more about the Helenised Daorsi Kingdom (they have a numismatic legacy as well so that will be fun)

The Roman history would then be my next target. I knew Diocletian was from the Salona region (hense the retirement palace) but I honestly didn't know there were so many Emperors from Illyria. Cool! Thank you now I am even more excited

So really any recommendations you have, broad or specific, would be most appreciated!

 

Great photographs Bing -- thank you for posting them.

 

• DIOCLETIAN AND THE TETRARCHY, Roger Rees, Edinburgh University Press Ltd, (2004).
• IN PRAISE OF LATER ROMAN EMPERORS (The Panegyrici Latini), C. E. V. Nixon and Barbara Saylor Rodgers, University of California Press, (1994).

Somewhat peripheral reading, but some interesting historical references relating to the Tetrarchs.

 

Thanks @jamesicus!