Lucijana Seselj

@ffri.uniri.hr

Associate professor, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of History
University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Lucijana Seselj


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https://researchid.co/herodot1977

EDUCATION

1/4-31/12 2014 Postdoctoral programme Braudel - IFER-FMSH (International Fellowships for Experienced Researchers), soutenu par la Commission européenne (Programme Action Marie Curie – COFUND – 7ème PCRD) - ANHIMA, Anthropologie et histoire des mondes antiques, UMR 8210, Labex Dynamite, Université Paris Panthéon - Sorbonne, Pariz, Francuska

2007-2010 Ph.D. in History, University in Zadar, Thesis: Promunturium Diomedis: Sanctuary on the Cape Ploca and Adriatic Maritime Trade in the Hellenistic Period

2005-2007 Postgraduate study in Croatian Maritime History, University in Zadar

2001-2003 Postgraduate study in Archaeology, University in Zadar, Archaeology of the east Adriatic, Ancient archaeology

1995-2001 M.S. in History and Archaeology,Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zadar

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

History, Archeology, Classics, Religious studies
5

Scopus Publications

380

Scholar Citations

12

Scholar h-index

12

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • IN SEARCH OF VENUS: A NEW APPROACH TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CULT OF VENUS ANSOTICA FROM NIN
    and Lucijana Šešelj
    Ziva Antika, 2025
    The discovery of a votive inscription dedicated to goddess Anzotica on the peninsula bordering the Nin lagoon was followed by the excavation of a statue of Venus and Priapus and another inscription invoking Venus Ansotica in 1938. Based on the context of the find, M. Abramić proposed the syncretic name Venus Ansotica for the excavated sculpture, which recognises a fusion of Roman and Liburnian divine identities. Subsequently, N. Cambi provided a comprehensive description of the sculpture, and interpreted the associated cult as the embodiment of fertility, universal creation and motherhood, following the earlier suggestions of M. Suić. This paper aims to provide an alternative interpretation of the cult of Venus and Priapus in the Adriatic milieu that incorporates these significant archaeological discoveries. During the Hellenistic and early Roman periods, the worship of Venus in various Adriatic coastal settlements (e.g. Urium, Ancona, Dyrrhachium) is frequently documented in ancient literary sources and epigraphic evidence. While in Roman contexts she appears predominantly in Latin form, she is also attested under her Greek name – Aphrodite (e.g. Cape Leuca, Aphrodite Eutyches), or as a Latin variant with a Greek epithet (e.g. Venus Sosandra, Venus Pelagia). The maritime-oriented Greek cult of the Knidian Aphrodite is undoubtedly the basis for these different names and manifestations. Priapus, a deity inextricably linked to fertility and vegetation, has been mentioned in Greek literature since archaic times and he gained particular importance in the Hellenistic and early Roman periods as a protective figure for fishermen and sailors. Recent archaeological discoveries confirm his reverence in maritime contexts, as evidenced by sanctuaries on ships where he was worshipped as the protector of seafarers. Despite the known importance of the Adriatic for trade and communication with neighbouring coasts and the wider Mediterranean, scholarly discourse often lacks a detailed understanding of the maritime cults of the Adriatic, especially those of indigenous origin. The Liburni are consistently portrayed in the scholarly literature as central players in maritime activities and shipbuilding in the Adriatic. However, there is no concrete evidence of their maritime religious practises, which is remarkable given the frequency of such phenomena among other seafaring peoples, especially Greeks and Phoenicians. A new interpretation of the Venus Ansotica cult could open up new perspectives on this little-researched facet of Adriatic cultural history.
  • Hellenistic gems and finger rings from the diomedes sanctuary on Cape Ploča
    Vjesnik Za Arheologiju I Povijest Dalmatinsku, 2017
  • Recent finds of Graeco-Illyrian coins from northern Dalmatia
    Vjesnik Za Arheologiju I Povijest Dalmatinsku, 2017
  • The late-Holocene avifaunal assemblage from the island of Palagruža (Croatia): The earliest record of the Northern Gannet in the Adriatic Sea
    Ankica Oros Sršen, Jelena Kralj, Lucijana Šešelj
    Holocene, 2017
    The late-Holocene bird remains retrieved during archaeological excavations on pelagic island of Palagruža, Croatia, were analysed. The results of the analysis revealed presence of representatives of nine families: Procellariidae, Sulidae, Ardeidae, Accipitridae, Phasianidae, Rallidae, Laridae, Strigidae and Corvidae. Among the bird remains, the most numerous were remains of the Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus, which were widely distributed in the Mediterranean during the late Pleistocene. The finding of the Northern Gannet bones on Palagruža represents the first fossil record of this species in the Adriatic Sea and indicates a possible breeding site on the island. The direct Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating on two gannet bones revealed the age of 2878 ± 34 and 2694 ± 45 yr BP. Gannet bones from Palagruža were some 6000 years younger than other fossil records of that species from the Mediterranean. It is possible that during the gannet’s northward distributional shift, probably caused by centennial climatic variability and human pressure, gannet colony on that remote island in the Adriatic lasted longer than in the rest of the Mediterranean and existed until the late-Holocene. Lower sea-surface temperatures compared with the eastern Mediterranean, higher nutritive productivity and remoteness of Palagruža provided adequate breeding opportunities during that period.
  • Composition, Technology of Manufacture, and Circulation of Hellenistic Pottery from the Eastern Adriatic: A Case Study of Three Archaeological Sites along the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
    Branimir Šegvić, Lucijana Šešelj, Damir Slovenec, Boško Lugović, Rafael Ferreiro Mählmann
    Geoarchaeology, 2012
    Archaeological excavations in Dalmatia have yielded a large amount of Hellenistic pottery that has yet to be archaeometrically analyzed. Stylistic analyses suggest that some vessels were imported, but the bulk of the material must have been produced locally. Our objectives are to demonstrate local ceramic production in both Greek colonies and native settlements in Dalmatia, and also to report on the composition and manufacture technology associated with this pottery. We examine 36 Hellenistic potsherds recovered from the coast of Croatia: a sanctuary on Cape Ploča, the native settlement of Resnik, and the Greek colony Issa. For the first time, archaeometric evidence supporting local production in Resnik is presented, while two local manufacturing centers are proposed for the bulk of the Cape Ploča pottery. The term Dalmatian production is suggested here to describe these indigenous ceramics. Material characteristics of the Issa samples suggest local colonial production and sophisticated ceramic technology.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Patron deities and sacred places of ancient seafarers in the Adriatic
    L Šešelj
    SOMA 2024: Proceedings of the 25th Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology … , 2025
    2025
  • New perspectives on contacts and immigration in Republican Liburnia
    F Milivojević, L Šešelj
    Reti adriatiche: uomini merci idee, Centro Internazionale di studi sulla … , 2022
    2022
  • Helenistički novac Grčke, Makedonije i Trakije iz sjeverne Dalmacije i jugoistočne Like
    L Šešelj, M Ilkić
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 114 (1), 163-188 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 3
  • Hellenistic coins from Greece, Macedonia and Thrace found in northern Dalmatia and south-eastern Lika
    L Šešelj, M Ilkić
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 114 (1), 163-188 , 2022
    2022
  • A Corpus of Greek Graffiti from Dalmatia
    LŠ S. Čače, A. Johnston, B. Kirigin
    Institute of Classical Studies, School of Advanced study, University of … , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 4
  • Budva i helenizam na Jadranu: Keramika kao indikator trgovačkih veza
    L Šešelj
    Antička Budva, Zbornik radova s Međunarodnog multidisciplinarnog naučnog … , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 2
  • Dalmatian sanctuaries dedicated to Diomedes
    L Šešelj
    Nel mare dell'intimità: L'archeologia subacquea racconta l'Adriatico … , 2018
    2018
  • Hellenistic Pottery from the Sanctuary of Diomedes on Cape Ploča: New Contributions to Pottery Studies in Dalmatia (Croatia)
    L Šešelj
    9th scientific meeting on Hellenistic pottery, Thessaloniki December 5-9th … , 2018
    2018
  • Recent finds of Graeco-Illyrian coins from northern Dalmatia
    M Ilkić, L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 110 (1), 281-302 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 1
  • Hellenistic gems and finger rings from the Diomedes sanctuary on Cape Ploča
    L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 110 (2), 385-409 , 2017
    2017
  • Geme i prstenje helenističkog razdoblja iz Diomedova svetišta na rtu Ploči
    L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 110 (2), 385-409 , 2017
    2017
  • The late-Holocene avifaunal assemblage from the island of Palagruža (Croatia): The earliest record of the Northern Gannet in the Adriatic Sea
    A Oros Sršen, J Kralj, L Šešelj
    The Holocene 27 (10), 1540-1549 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 4
  • The Birds of Diomedes: between Mythology and Archeology
    N Bulić, L Šešelj
    Međunarodni znanstveni skup povodom 60. godišnjice osnutka Odjela za … , 2017
    2017
  • Noviji nalazi grčko-ilirskog novca s područja sjeverne Dalmacije.
    M Ilkić, L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 110 (1) , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 12
  • Maritime trade in the Pre-Roman Period in the Eastern Adriatic: a preliminary report on a ceramic and numismatic evidence in Liburnia
    L Šešelj, M Ilkić
    Scripta antiqua 79, 419-433 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 22
  • Money circulation in Liburnia in the pre-imperial period: preliminary report
    L Šešelj, M Ilkić
    Akten des 5. Österreichischen Numismatikertages, 43-53 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 21
  • Lucijana Šešelj
    L Šešelj, M VUKOVIĆ
    Morana Vuković, Liburnsko naselje u Radovinu–preliminarna analiza keramičkog … , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 6
  • Liburnsko naselje u Radovinu: preliminarna analiza keramičkog materijala
    L Šešelj, M Vuković
    Diadora: glasilo Arheološkog muzeja u Zadru 26, 333-350 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 12
  • A Bell-krater by the Dolon Painter from Beretinova gradina, North Dalmatia
    L Šešelj, F Silvestrelli
    Diadora: glasilo Arheološkog muzeja u Zadru 26, 381-394 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 1
  • Liburnian settlement in Radovin: preliminary report on pottery analysis
    L Šešelj, M Vuković
    Diadora: glasilo Arheološkog muzeja u Zadru 26, 333 , 2013
    2013

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Composition, Technology of Manufacture, and Circulation of H ellenistic Pottery from the Eastern A driatic: A Case Study of Three Archaeological Sites along the D almatian …
    B Šegvić, L Šešelj, D Slovenec, B Lugović, R Ferreiro Mählmann
    Geoarchaeology 27 (1), 63-87 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 50
  • Amfore i fina keramika (od 4. do 1. st. pr. Kr.) iz srednje Dalmacije: preliminarni ekonomski i socijalni pokazatelji
    B Kirigin, T Katunarić, L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i povijest dalmatinsku 98 (1), 7-24 , 2005
    2005
    Citations: 47
  • Promunturium Diomedis: Svetište na rtu Ploča i jadranska pomorska trgovina u helenističkom razdoblju
    L Šešelj
    2009
    Citations: 46
  • Preliminary notes on some economic and social aspects of amphorae and fine ware pottery from Central Dalmatia, 4th-1st BC
    B Kirigin, T Katubnarić, L Šešelj
    Rimini e l'Adriatico nell'eta delle guerre puniche, 191-225 , 2006
    2006
    Citations: 32
  • The late Hellenistic and early Roman fine pottery from the sanctuaries of Diomedes in Dalmatia
    M Miše, L Šešelj
    Rei cretariae Romanae fautorum acta 40, 113-119 , 2008
    2008
    Citations: 26
  • Finds from the Diomedes sanctuary on the Cape Ploča: new contributions to the discussion about the Hellenistic period on the east Adriatic
    S Čače, L Šešelj
    Illyrica antiqua: ob honorem Duje Rendić-Miočević. Radovi s međunarodnoga … , 2005
    2005
    Citations: 23
  • Maritime trade in the Pre-Roman Period in the Eastern Adriatic: a preliminary report on a ceramic and numismatic evidence in Liburnia
    L Šešelj, M Ilkić
    Scripta antiqua 79, 419-433 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 22
  • Money circulation in Liburnia in the pre-imperial period: preliminary report
    L Šešelj, M Ilkić
    Akten des 5. Österreichischen Numismatikertages, 43-53 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 21
  • Utjecaji dirahijskih keramičkih radionica na području srednje Dalmacije
    L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i povijest dalmatinsku 98 (1), 49-61 , 2005
    2005
    Citations: 19
  • The influence of the Dyrrachium pottery workshops in central and south Dalmatia
    L Šešelj
    Rei cretariae Romanae fautorum acta 40, 105-112 , 2008
    2008
    Citations: 14
  • Noviji nalazi grčko-ilirskog novca s područja sjeverne Dalmacije.
    M Ilkić, L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 110 (1) , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 12
  • Liburnsko naselje u Radovinu: preliminarna analiza keramičkog materijala
    L Šešelj, M Vuković
    Diadora: glasilo Arheološkog muzeja u Zadru 26, 333-350 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 12
  • Antička pomorska svetišta: promunturium Diomedis
    L Šešelj
    2012
    Citations: 8
  • Zvonoliki krater slikara Dolona s Beretinove gradine, sjeverna Dalmacija
    L Šešelj, F Silvestrelli
    Diadora 26 (27), 381-395 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 7
  • Svetište na rtu Ploča i jadranska pomorska trgovina u helenističkom razdoblju
    L ŠEŠELJ, P Diomedis
    doktorska disertacija, Zadar , 2010
    2010
    Citations: 7
  • Lucijana Šešelj
    L Šešelj, M VUKOVIĆ
    Morana Vuković, Liburnsko naselje u Radovinu–preliminarna analiza keramičkog … , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 6
  • Bradavičasti kantharosi s helenističkog svetišta na rtu Ploča
    L Šešelj
    Vjesnik za arheologiju i historiju dalmatinsku 97 (1), 381-400 , 2005
    2005
    Citations: 6
  • Branko Kirigin–Tea Katunarić–Lucijana Šešelj, Preliminary notes on some economic and social aspects of amphorae and fine ware pottery from Central Dalmatia, 4th–1st. BC, u: F …
    B KIRIGIN, T KATUNARIĆ, L ŠEŠELJ
    Rimini e l'Adriatico nell'eta delle guerre puniche, 191-225 , 2006
    2006
    Citations: 5
  • A Corpus of Greek Graffiti from Dalmatia
    LŠ S. Čače, A. Johnston, B. Kirigin
    Institute of Classical Studies, School of Advanced study, University of … , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 4
  • The late-Holocene avifaunal assemblage from the island of Palagruža (Croatia): The earliest record of the Northern Gannet in the Adriatic Sea
    A Oros Sršen, J Kralj, L Šešelj
    The Holocene 27 (10), 1540-1549 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 4