Siege of Lastovo
Venetian victory led to annexation of Lastovo.
In the year 1000, the Republic of Venice fought the Kingdom of Croatia in a conflict on the island of Lastovo. This engagement, part of the Croatian-Venetian wars, involved a naval blockade, a battle, and a siege. The exact dates and casualty figures are not recorded. Venice won, taking control of Lastovo.
Quick Facts
- Part of
- the Croatian-Venetian wars
- Date
- 1000
- Location
- Lastovo, Theme of Dalmatia
- ceded from Byzantine Empire
- to Kingdom of Croatia
- Result
- Venetian victory
Facts from the source article.
Background
After the death of King Stephen Držislav in 997, his eldest son Svetoslav Suronja continued his pro-Byzantine policy. His younger brothers Krešimir and Gojslav rebelled, and with aid from Bulgarian emperor Samuil they ousted Svetoslav in 1000, forcing him to flee to Venice. Meanwhile, Doge Pietro II Orseolo prepared to take control of Dalmatian city-states and Narentine territories; some Croatian subjects, including those on Lastovo, fiercely resisted.
Siege
The exact dates of the siege are unknown. When his fleet reached Lastovo, the residents refused to surrender and defended from behind the city walls. Orseolo's troops besieged the town, attacking the gate and towers. They captured the tower with the water cistern, a major setback for the defenders, who then surrendered. The doge spared their lives but ordered the walls destroyed and the town burned; the citizens were moved to the other side of the island to build a new settlement.
Aftermath
Pietro II Orseolo subjected Lastovo to Venetian authority, then sailed to Dubrovnik, where he received obeisance before returning to Venice. He assumed the title Dux Dalmatianorum, initiating the Venetian maritime empire known as the Stato da Màr.
More in Venetian Period in the History of Croatia
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