Draft:Dalmatian People

The Dalmatian people (Italian: Dalmata [dalˈmaːta]) (Dalmatian: Dalmata/Dalmati [ˈdalmatɑ], [ˈdalmati]) (Croatian: Dalmatinac [dalmǎtǐnat͡s]) are an extinct Latin romance ethnic group that were native to the Dalmatia region in Croatia

The Dalmatian people, also known as the Dalmati, were an ethnic group inhabiting the region of Dalmatia, situated along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. With roots tracing back to the illyro-romans and later influenced by Ottoman, Byzantine, and Slavic cultures, the Dalmatian people developed a distinct identity characterized by their language, customs, and traditions.

The decline and eventual extinction of the Dalmatian people can be attributed to a complex interplay of historical events, including invasions, migrations, and cultural assimilation. Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Dalmatia experienced successive waves of conquests by various powers, including the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. These turbulent periods led to demographic shifts, displacement of populations, and the erosion of Dalmatian cultural distinctiveness.

One of the key factors contributing to the decline of the Dalmatian people was the gradual assimilation into surrounding ethnic groups, particularly the Croats and Italians, who exerted cultural and linguistic influence over the region. Over time, the Dalmatian language, once spoken by the Dalmati, became marginalized and eventually extinct, with the last known native speaker Tuone Udaina dying in the 19th century.

Today, remnants of Dalmatian culture and heritage can be found in archaeological sites, historical records, and cultural traditions preserved by descendants of the region's ethnic groups.

they potentially belonged to the R1b Haplogroup

Classical antiquity
The Dalmatian people, recognised as a Latin ethnic group, can be traced back to the height of the Roman Empire. Following the Roman conquest in 168BC the establishment of the Diocese of illyria in 27BC, Later Dalmatia in 19BC

After the Roman conquest, Dalmatia became an integral part of the empire, experiencing significant cultural, linguistic, and administrative influence. The mingling between the indigenous Illyrian customs with Roman practices gave rise to an Illyro-Roman culture, which gradually evolved into the unique identity of the Dalmatian people and other local Latin identities.

The establishment of urban centers such as Salona (modern-day Solin) and Diocletian's Palace in Split served as hubs of cultural exchange and economic activity, shaping the cultural landscape of Dalmatia. Latin became the dominant language, facilitating communication and trade among the population of the region.

As the Roman Empire declined, Dalmatia faced various challenges, including invasions and migrations. Despite these upheavals, the Dalmatian culture remained, maintaining their cultural heritage amidst changing political landscapes.

Early Medieval
Around the mid-6th century AD, the waves of Slavic migrations began to sweep through the Balkan Peninsula, including the region of Dalmatia. This period marked a significant turning point in the history of the area, as the influx of Slavic tribes introduced new languages, customs, and social structures to the region. The Dalmatian people, until now shaped by Roman and Illyrian influences, now found themselves amidst a dynamic cultural environment, as they interacted and intermingled with the incoming Slavic populations.

By the 8th century AD, the political landscape of Europe underwent major changes with the rise of the Frankish Empire under the leadership of Charlemagne. Eager to expand his realm and assert his authority over the Adriatic coast, Charlemagne launched military campaigns into Dalmatia, eventually bringing the region under Frankish control. This period of Frankish domination marked a significant chapter in Dalmatian history, as the region became integrated into the broader political and cultural sphere of the Frankish Empire.

However, the Frankish hegemony over Dalmatia proved to be short-lived, as the Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople, sought to reassert its influence in the region. In the early 9th century AD, Byzantine diplomats signed the Pax Nicephori culminating in the establishment of the Theme of Dalmatia, a Byzantine administrative division encompassing the coastal regions of Dalmatia.

The Byzantine reconquest of Dalmatia ushered in a new era of political and cultural dynamics in the region. With Byzantine rule came a resurgence of Hellenic influence, as Greek language, law, and administration supplanted Frankish institutions. Concurrently, the Slavic presence in Dalmatia continued to grow. Consequently the Dalmatian culture had large influence from both Slavic and Hellenic culture

Late Medieval
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