Promunturium Diomedis (PLIN. NAT. HIST. 3,141)

Abstract

Recent findings of traces of Pre-Roman sanctuary at Cape Ploča (Planka) south of Rogoznica confirm the hypothesis that this important point along the maritime way of Eastern Adriatic represented the cult place of a wider significance. For the moment the findings reflect the 2nd and the 3rd century B.C. Cape Ploča is situated in the vicinity of ports which offered safety to the ships along the most dangerous Eastern Adriatic sailing route.
Although the future archaeological investigations may bring more precise details we can start comparing Plini's news in his texts, the unique ancient source, which mentions the name of the Cape. (Nat. hist. 3, 141: promunturium Diomedis vel, ut alii, peninsula Hyllis circuitu C.). Author tries to state that Elder Pliny's data belong to Varro's description of Eastern Adriatic. Vel ut alii peninsula Hyllis is a very important remark which clearly indicates that beside Pliny's there are other sources such as Hellenistic geographic heritage (Timaeus and Eratosthenes' writing about Hyllis peninsula: Pseudo Scymnus, Perieg, 405-412). This can be used as an argument that Pliny's source (Varro) actually describes the situation not only autonomously but after the detailed (personal?) insight, precisely in the first half of the 1st cent B.C. Author analyses also the other assertions of the same Plini's paragraph (esp. Tariona/Tariotae, and Tragurium).
Finally author mentions recent knowledge considering the spreading of Diomedes cult at Adriatic area, and the linking of the cult to the important sailing routes points. The special stress is given to the complexity of Diomedes cult where unknown local cults interfere with Greek myth, and to analogy with Timaeus which serves primarily to frame the hypothesis about Cape Ploča as the holly place for the purpose of safety in all nearby ports (Stari Trogir, Rogoznica and others).