Mate Božić

Mate Božić (born February 28, 1981.) is a Croatian historian, writer and author.

Mate Božić
Born	(1981-02-28) February 28, 1981 (age 44) Split
Nationality	Croatian
Alma mater	University of Split
Occupations	Historian Writer
Spouse	Iva Božić

Mate Božić, as the representative of the Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association, addressing to the Great Nobiliary Council of the Croatian Nobility Association, held in Klis, May 26th 2018.

Biography

Mate Božić was born in Split where he attended Classical Gymnasium before graduating from the University of Split's Faculty of Humanities with a degree in history and philosophy.^[1] During his undergraduate studies, he was one of the founders of the student historical society "Toma Arhiđakon",^[2] the student history journal "Pleter" (at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Split University)^[3] and theological-philosophical journal "Odraz".^[4] He is member of the Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association,^[5] Croatian Philosophical Society,^[6] as well as the coordinator of "Regnum Croatorum" (archeological tourism) project,^[7] "Škola heraldike" (Klis)^[8] and "Mala škola filozofije" (Solin).^[9]

Being a reputable expert on Croatian heraldry^[10] Božić's principal scientific focus is the study of Croatian heraldic theory and practice,^[11][12] as well as historical-philosophical subjects of the Croatian early Middle Ages.^[13][14] Serving as a herald of the Historical unit Kliški uskoci ("Uskoks of Klis")^[15][16] he additionally contributed to the foundation of the historical early medieval reenactment group "Praetoriani Croatorum".^[17][18] He shares and popularizes his findings through "GottschTalk" blog postings and as a columnist through a series of essays published by Split,^{[19][20][21][22]} Kaštela^[23] and Solin^[24][25] web portals, where he lives and works.^[1]

Symbolism of the Croatian Coat of Arms

One of historian Božić's most significant scientific contributions lies in his research on the Croatian coat of arms. He contends that the emblem symbolizes a fortress rather then simply a checkboard pattern, framing it as a representation of Croatia as a "bulwark of Christianity" in the context of historical conflicts with the Ottoman Empire.^[26] His presentation and writings emphasize that this coat of arms has deep-rooted significance that aligns with the country's historical struggles and identity.

Declaration of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts on the Croatian Coat of Arms, adopted on June 5, 2025 in Zagreb after a symposium in which participated prominent historians and heraldists: Stjepan Ćosić, Ivan Jurković, Mate Božić, Tomislav Galović, Hrvoje Kekez, Željko Holjevac and Mario Jareb^[27]

Božić's theories gained acknowledgment through the recent declaration by the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), which recognized the legitimacy of various forms of the Croatian coat of arms, irrespective of color variations.^[28][29] His participation in discussions surrounding this declaration underscores his role in shaping contemporary understandings of Croatian heraldry and identity.^[30][31]

Selected publications

• – (2014) Božić, Mate. "Udruga studenata povijesti 'Toma Arhiđakon'" // Spalatumque dedit ortum: zbornik povodom desete godišnjice Odsjeka za povijest Filozofskog fakulteta u Splitu = Collected papers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split / I. Basić, M. Rimac (ur.) Split: Odsjek za povijest Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu 2014; str.77–85 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-knjiga/68896
• – (2017) Božić, Mate. "Bitka kod Siska 1593. godine" // Pleter, 1 (2017) 1; str. 177–192 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/291543^[32]
• – (2017) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. "Nastanak hrvatskih grbova: Podrijetlo, povijest i simbolika od 13. do 16. stoljeća" // Gordogan, 35–36 (2017.); 22 – 68 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/291537^[33]
• – (2019) Božić, Mate. "'HRVAT' I 'HRVATI' – OD TOPONIMA DO ETNONIMA" // Pleter, 3 (2019) 3; str. 135–176 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/291541^[34]
• – (2021) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. HRVATSKI GRBOVI geneza – simbolika – povijest. Zagreb, Hrvatska sveučilišna naklada, Filozofski fakultet sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Institut društvenih znanosti; 2021.
• – (2022) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. "Sveti Jeronim u heraldičkoj simbolici" // Kroatologija, 13 (2022) 3; str. 11–27 https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-casopis/325037^[35]