terittory of Illirain tribe Ardiaei, and so, Delmataes and their tribal union were last bastion of Illyrian freedom. Dalmataes attacked Roman wards near Neretva, Greek merchant towns and Roman friendly Illyrian tribe Daors. Illyrians upgraded their settlement into strong fort and surround their capital with wreath of smaller forts. It is assumed that, during that time, 5,000 Dalmataes lived in Delminium.
In 167 BC Illyiran forts were unable to stop Roman legions; after Romans conquered whol Adriatic coast southern from Neretva and after state of Ardieaeis was destroyed, Dalmataes were unable to avoid conflit with Romans. In 156 BC, first conflict between Dalmataes and Romans occurred. It ended next year resulting in Dalmataes defeat. Roman generals, Figulus and Conrelius Scipio Nazica conquered, destroeyed and burned Delminium. Reports of writers during that time say that Delminium was "large city", almost inaccessible and impregnable. Romans trowed lighted arrows at wooden houses, burned the city, conquered it and destroyed it. After various rebellions led by Dalmataes and three war between them and Romans, their land was finally conquered by Romans in 9 AD.
Roman time
After Roman conquest of Delminium, they started building roads and bridges. Roads that led to mainland of Balkans from Adriatic coast in Salona (Solin) and Narona (Vid near Metković) crossed in Delminium (Tomislavgrad). Remains of those and other Roman roads are still in existence. Romans introduced their culture, language, legislation and religion. For next 400 years Tomislavgrad was in peace. After Romans finally defeated Dalmataes, Tomislavgrad was almost abandoned. There was also, for some period, a military crew of Romans stationed there to keep Illyrians under control. Romans started to rebuild Delminium in 18 and 19 AD in time of emperorTiberius. During that time, center of city was built, a Roman forum. This forum was built on possession of present-day Nikola
