Marija Buzov - Is Mljet – Melita in Dalmatia the island of... (491-505) Histria Antiqua, 21/2012 Marija BUZOV IS MLJET – MELITA IN DALMATIA THE ISLAND OF ST. PAUL’S SHIPWRECK? UDK 904:656.61.085.3>(497.5)(210.7 Mljet) Marija Buzov, Ph. D. Original scientific paper Institute of archaeology Received: 14.05.2012. Gajeva 32 Approved: 23.08.2012. 10000 Zagreb, Croatia e-mail:
[email protected] naeus Pompeius’ expression Navigare necesse est, as well as mare nostrum, were created out of a simple necessity. The Romans became seafarers out of necessity, not because they had any inclination to become so, because through Ggradual spread of their authority and power to the Mediterranean coasts they were forced to learn the shipbuild- ing technique and seafaring skill from other peoples, particularly from the maritime Etruscans, Greeks and Carthaginians. The eastern Adriatic coast had been connected from prehistory, antiquity and the Middle Ages with places at the western coast of the Adriatic Sea, but also with certain areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to fishing, exchange of goods and travel, the Adriatic Sea also experienced shipwrecks, as testified by a number of finds. Key-words: Mljet-Melita, Dalmatia, shipwreck, St.Paul 1 Translation: The castaway St. Paul the Apostle in the sea called the Bay of Venice, and after the shipwreck the Guest or on a Is Mljet – Melita in Dalmatia the insula vocabatur. Inspectiones anticriticae autore D. Ignatio dual interpretation of two places from the Georgio. Benedictino e congregatione Melitensi Ragusina. Acts of the Apostles in chapter XXVII, line island of St.