class="apple-converted-space"> and near the
Adriatic Sea, in fertile lowlands with
favourable climate. The earliest human settlements were in prehistory: the
oldest physical remains are from the late
Stone
Age. In the
Illyrian
age, the area between the
Zeta
and
Bjelopavlići
valleys was occupied by two Illyrian
tribes, theLabeates
and the
Docleats. The population of the city
was 8,000–10,000, in which all core urban issues were resolved. The high
population density (in an area of about 10 km/6 mi radius) was made
possible by the geographical position, favourable climate and economic
conditions and by the defensive positions that were of great importance at that
time.
From the 5th century, with the
arrival of the first Slavic and Avar tribes and the beginning of the
break-up of the Roman Empire, the
area bore witness to many noteworthy events. With time, the fortifications
ceased their function and new towns were built. Slavic groups in the area were
in constant war with Byzantium and tended to
