Historical background to Rab

     The earliest history of the Adriatic coast and islands is only the subject of legends, myths and stories. Somewhat more reliable date can be found in ancient Greek travelogues and seamen's guides. The earliest information on the Liburnian islands, Rab included, is provided by the geographical writings of Skylax of Chariandon (4th c. B. C.) Several Greek and Roman geographers also mention an island, which ought to be Rab, un their geographical writings. The mention Rab as Arba, Arbia, Arbiana or Arbitana, but the origins of the name are unknown. The present-day Slav inhabitants of the island, Croats, adapted the name to the spirit of their language by transforming it into Rab. The latter name probably dates from early as the 7th c. A.D., i.e., from the time immediately after the settlement of the first Slavs on the island. The museum of the Franciscan monastery of sv. Eufemija contains a Latin deed in the foundation of the monastery, from the mid-15th century; this is the (so far) oldest known document with the Croatian name of the island, Rab.