XII
KNIN
Knin, which lies at the foot of Dinara, the
mountain that gives its name to the whole range
of the Dinaric Alps, commands, or rather guards
and blocks, the pass that leads over the frontier of
Dalmatia into Bosnia. Its position, function and
history are paralleled by Klissa. Its geographical
site has made it one of the most important places
in Dalmatian history. In Roman times Knin
(Arduba, in Dio Cassius) defended itself bravel)
against Germanicus, and, rather than surrender, its
women are said to have thrown themselves into
the Kerka. Constantine mentions Knin (to TW'
among the fortresses of “baptized” Croatia. 1"
1396 and 1397 it sheltered the Emperor SigismUIll‘
after his defeat by the Turks at Nicopolis. In 151-
it was captured by the Turks and became the
capital of Ali Beg’s Turkish government, " ^e
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