摘要：This paper throws spotlight on the reception of Diocletian`s Palace in the works of three English women writers; Maudy Holbach, Rebecca West and Rose Macaulay. In the period from 1910 to 1953, each of them respectively wrote a travel book which attracted public attention, Split playing a prominent role in them. The author of the paper has found significant similarities in their reception: all three writers originated from post-victorian and colonial era which strengthened their belief in liberal principles and the Whig interpretation of history, furthermore, they approached the Palace using functionalist perspective where Ancient object exists in living correlation with historical purposefulness and social context. Accordingly, they perceived the Palace as the starting point, that is, the generator of the dominant cultural behaviour patterns of the citizens of Split. Its significance and harmonious completion dictate moderation and prudence as binding behaviour of the dominant public culture, simultaneously, its historical fate dictates criticism and distrust. Prudence and decorum in public form the dominant pattern of public culture which sanctions cultural transgressions as the behaviour of private subculture.
关键词：functionalist perception of Diocletian’s Palace; Maudy Holbach; Rebecca West; Rose Macaulay
