Greek and Roman rule

Main articles: Illyria and Dalmatia (Roman province)

Tanais Tablet B, name Khoroáthos highlighted

Much later, the region was settled by Illyrians and Liburnians, while the first Greek colonies
were established on the islands of Hvar,[21] Korčula, and Vis.[22] In 9 AD the territory of today's
Croatia became part of the Roman Empire. Emperor Diocletian had a large palace built in Split
to which he retired after his abdication in AD 305.[23]

During the 5th century the last de jure Western emperor last Western Roman Empiror Julius
Nepos ruled his small realm from the palace after fleeing Italy to go into exile in 475.[24] He was
assassinated in 480. The period ends with Avar and Croat invasions in the first half of the 7th
century and destruction of almost all Roman towns. Roman survivors retreated to more
favourable sites on the coast, islands and mountains. The city of Dubrovnik was founded by such
survivors from Epidaurum.[25]