This was a fascinating tour of the history of old town Split.
I had mistakenly thought that the town was named after the split of the Roman Empire, however, it actually comes from a Greek word for colony that was shortened by the Romans and then shortened again by the Croatians down to Split.
Diocletian was raised in a Christian home, but upon becoming emperor converted to the Roman religion and became a severe persecutor of Christians. He is most famous for dividing the Roman Empire.
His successor, however, was Constantine who legalized Christianity. Diocletian had built himself a mausoleum that he expected to be buried in, however he was not. Instead, ironically, it became a Catholic church.
Everyday at noon in the peristyle there's a brief show with Roman soldiers and an actor playing Diocletian who comes out and speaks a few words of Latin.Read more
I appreciate that you give us a brief history of these areas you're visiting. It looks really beautiful.