Mate Božić (born February 28, 1981.) is a Croatian historian, writer and author.
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. During his studies he was one of the founders of the student historical society "Toma Arhiđakon" (as a part of the Department of History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Split University) and is engaged as its current liquidator, student history journal "Pleter"https://www.ffst.unist.hr/za_studente/studentski_casopisi/pleter and theological-philosophical journal "Odraz" (2005). He is member of the Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association, Croatian Philosophical Society, collaborator of the Croatian Heritage Foundation (CHF) – Split branch, as well as the coordinator of "Regnum Croatorum" (archeological tourism) project, "Škola heraldike" (Klis) and "Mala škola filozofije" (Solin).Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. HRVATSKI GRBOVI geneza – simbolika – povijest. Zagreb: Hrvatska sveučilišna naklada, Filozofski fakultet sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Institut društvenih znanosti 2021., 239.
Being a reputable expert on Croatian heraldry Božić's principal scientific focus is the study of Croatian heraldic theory and practice, as well as historical-philosophical subjects of the Croatian early Middle Ages. Serving as a herald of the Historical unit Kliški uskoci ("Uskoks of Klis")Grb i zastava; Glasnik Hrvatskog grboslovnog i zastavoslovnog društva, 2023 34: 34. he additionally contributed to the foundation of the historical early medieval reenactment group "Praetoriani Croatorum".Ursić, Luka (2019). "Arheološki turizam – Lino Ursić i Mate Božić". Humanist – časopis studenata Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Splitu, 2019 5 (7): 76 – 80 He shares and popularizes his findings through "GottschTalk" blog postings and as a columnist through a series of essays published by Split, Kaštela and Solin web portals, where he lives and works.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
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 than 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. His presentation and writings emphasize that this coat of arms has deep-rooted significance that aligns with the country's historical struggles and identity.
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. His participation in discussions surrounding this declaration underscores his role in shaping contemporary understandings of Croatian heraldry and identity.
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 Splitu 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 – (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 – (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 – (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 – (2025) Božić, Mate; "Kratki pregled povijesti domobranstva u hrvatskim krajevima" // Trideset godina Hrvatskoga domobrana Omiš i sto pedeset pet godina hrvatskoga domobranstva / D. Zeljko Selak (ur.) Omiš - Dugi Rat: Ogranak Matice hrvatske u Imotskome, Hrvatski domobran - Udruga ratnih veterana Omiš, 2025; str. 51-53.
See also
Mate Božić (born 2 February 2005), a Croatian footballer from Zadar
References
Notes
Sources
Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. "Nastanak hrvatskih grbova: Podrijetlo, povijest i simbolika od 13. do 16. stoljeća" // Gordogan, 35–36 (2017.) Ursić, Luka. "Arheološki turizam – Lino Ursić i Mate Božić" // Humanist – časopis studenata Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Splitu, 2019. 5 (7) Božić, Mate; Ćosić, Stjepan. HRVATSKI GRBOVI geneza – simbolika – povijest. Zagreb: Hrvatska sveučilišna naklada, Filozofski fakultet sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Institut društvenih znanosti 2021. Zeljko Selak, Dragica. "Stari hrvatski grbovi su vrijedno hrvatsko državno znamenje" // Naša ognjišta – hrvatski katolički mjesečnik, 2022. 5 (489)
External links
Mate Božić, Hrvatska internetska enciklopedija Works by Mate Božić at the Croatian Research Information System 2021 public lecture on the Croatian land coat of arms by Mate Božić on YouTube (80 minutes) (in Croatian) 2023 TV Interview with Mate Božić on YouTube (20 minutes) (in Croatian) 2025 podcast with Mate Božić on YouTube (30 minutes) (in Croatian) 2026 TV Interview with Mate Božić on YouTube (23 minutes) (in Croatian) 2026 podcast lecture on the so-called "oldest known coat of arms of Croatia" on YouTube (40 minutes) (in Croatian) 2026 podcast lecture on the coat of arms of Dubrovnik by Mate Božić on YouTube (31 minutes) (in Croatian) 2026 podcast lecture on the coat of arms of Dalmatia by Mate Božić on YouTube (53 minutes) (in Croatian) 2026 podcast lecture on the coat of arms of Istria by Mate Božić on YouTube (35 minutes) (in Croatian) 2026 podcast lecture on the coat of arms of Slavonia by Mate Božić on YouTube (32 minutes) (in Croatian) Academia.edu/MateBožić; selected authors books and papers Regnum Croatorum; author column, Dalmatinski portal.hr Clipeus Croatorum; author column, Dalmatinski portal.hr MARE NOSTRUM; author column, SolinLive.com Kaštelanske povijesne crtice; author column, Kastela.com HISTORIA SALONITANA +; author column, SolinLive.com Splitski grbovnik; author column, PortalSplita.com S OVU BANU MORA - POVJESTICE "MALE DALMACIJE"; author column, Dalmacijadanas.hr "Bitka kod Siska 1593. godine", Pleter: Časopis udruge studenata povijesti Vol. 1., No. 1., 2017. at the Portal of Croatian scientific and professional journals ""HRVAT" I "HRVATI" – OD TOPONIMA DO ETNONIMA", Pleter: Časopis udruge studenata povijesti Vol. 3., No. 3., 2019. at the Portal of Croatian scientific and professional journals "Sveti Jeronim u heraldičkoj simbolici", Kroatologija Vol. 13, No. 3, 2022. at the Portal of Croatian scientific and professional journals