Illyria

Illyria was an ancient region located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula, inhabited by tribes known as the Illyrians. The Ancient Greeks first used the name Illyris to describe an area that covered northern and central parts of what is now Albania, reaching down to the Aoös valley and the Bay of Vlorë. This region was close to Macedonia and Epirus.

During Roman times, the name Illyria or Illyricum grew to include a larger area along the eastern Adriatic coast, covering parts of modern Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Western Serbia, and stretching towards the Danube River. Around the mid-1st century BC, the Romans used the term Illyricum for a province along the Adriatic coast north of the Drin river. Later, this area became part of the provinces of Dalmatia and Pannonia in the Roman Empire.

Name

Main articles: Illyrians § Etymology, and Illyrians § Terminology and attestation

The area known as Illyria got its name from the people who lived there, called the Illyrians. They were a group of peoples who spoke a certain language and lived in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula a long time ago.

Illyrian kingdoms

The first known Illyrian kingdom was that of the Enchele in the 8th century BC. Other Illyrian kingdoms appeared between 400 BC and 167 BC. One such kingdom was led by Pleurias of the Autariatae around 337 BC. The Ardiaei kingdom started in 230 BC and ended in 167 BC. Two of the most famous Illyrian rulers were Bardyllis of the Dardani and Agron of the Ardiaei, who built the last and most well-known Illyrian kingdom. Agron ruled the Ardiaei and also controlled other tribes. The Dardanians had their own separate areas from the other Illyrians.

Illyrian kingdoms were small and made up of parts of the Illyria region. Only the Romans ever ruled the whole area. The southern Illyrian kingdoms were influenced by nearby Greek kingdoms and the Greek and Hellenistic world, especially in building their urban centers. Illyrian societies had peasant soldiers led by aristocrats who controlled towns. Their kings ruled through hereditary lines and often used marriages to form alliances with other powerful groups. The core groups of the Illyrian kingdom included the Taulantii, the Pleraei, the Endirudini, Sasaei, Grabaei, and the Labeatae, who later joined together to become the Docleatae.

Roman Protectorate of Illyricum

After the Romans won the First Illyrian War, Illyrian Queen Teuta had to move to the Bay of Kotor. In 228 BC, the Romans set up a protectorate over the islands of Issa and Corcyra, and the cities of Epidamnos, Apollonia and Oricum. This area matched what the Romans called Illyricum.

During the Macedonian Wars, the southern part of Illyria was caught up in the fight between Rome and Macedon. Macedon tried to take the southern Illyrian ports but failed, as these ports could have been used to attack Italy.

The Romans defeated Gentius, the last king of Illyria, at Scodra (in today’s Albania) in 168 BC and took him to Rome in 165 BC. Rome then created four smaller areas controlled by them, and later turned the region into a province with Scodra as its capital.

Roman rule

Main articles: Illyricum (Roman province), Macedonia (Roman province), Moesia Superior, and Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum

During Roman times, the lands of the Illyrians were organized into several provinces. The province of Illyricum covered areas similar to the last Illyrian kingdom. It reached from the Drilon river in modern Albania to Istria in Croatia to the west and the Sava river in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north. Its main city was Salona, near today’s Split in Croatia.

Later, after dealing with a difficult revolt, the Romans split Illyricum into two new provinces: Pannonia in the north and Dalmatia in the south. Even after this change, people kept using the name Illyria for many years.

In culture

William Shakespeare used a made-up version of Illyria as the setting for his play Twelfth Night. A modern movie spoof called She's the Man is set in a school called "Illyria High School" in California. Shakespeare also talked about the region in Henry VI, Part 2.

A detailed history of Illyria by Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange was published by Joseph Keglevich in 1746.

Illyria is where the story takes place in Jean-Paul Sartre's Les Mains Sales.

Lloyd Alexander wrote The Illyrian Adventure, set in Illyria in 1872.

John Hawkes wrote a 1970 novel called The Blood Oranges in a made-up Illyria.

There is a made-up Illyria with its people, winged fae, in the fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

The fighting game series 'Guilty Gear' created by Daisuke Ishiwatari includes a made-up Illyria in its world.

The TV series Angel (1999 TV series) has a character named Illyria who is important in the final season and in the comic books.

The character of Una "Number One" Chin-Riley in the TV series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds belongs to a humanoid species called "Illyrians".