Illyria , northwest part of Balkans - Peninsula, inhabited from about the 10th century BCE continue through the Illyrian , an Indo-European people. At the height of their power, the Illyrian borders extended from the Danube to south to Adria and thence east to Šar Mountains .
The Illyrians, bearers of the Hallstatt Culture , were split into tribes, each with a self-governing Community with a council of elders and a chosen leader. However, a strong tribal chief could unite several tribes into one kingdom. The last and best-known Illyrian kingdom had its capital at Scodra (modern Shkodër , Albania ). One of its most important rulers was king Agron (second half of the 3rd century v . Ch. ) in alliance with Demetrius II. From Macedonia the Etolians defeated (231). However, Agron died suddenly and during the minority of his son, his widow, Teuta acted as regent. Queen Teuta grabbed Sicily and the Greek coastal colonies with part of the Illyrian navy. At the same time she was upset Rome , which eventually sent a large fleet to the east coast of the Adriatic. Although Teuta submitted in 228, the Illyrian kingdom of the interior was not destroyed, and in 219 a second naval expedition was sent against Illyria. Philipp V. of Macedonia aided their Illyrian neighbors, beginning a protracted war that ended with the Romans conquering the entire Balkan Peninsula . The last Illyrian king, Genthius, surrendered in 168 v .
The Roman Province from Illyricum extended from the Drilon (the Drin in modern Albania) in the south to Istria (in today's Slovenia and Croatia ) to the north and to the Savus ( Sava ) to the east. The administrative center was Salonae (near today's Split ) in Dalmatia. With the expansion of the Roman Empire along the Danube Valley, Illyricum became between the provinces Dalmatia and Pannonia divided .
Under the Empire, Illyria enjoyed great prosperity. It was traverses from a Roman road, and Illyrian ports served as important trade and transit links between Rome and eastern Europe . Parts of the region have copper , Asphalt and Silver and exported Illyrian wine, oil, cheese and fish to Italy.
Since the semi-autonomous clansmen of the Illyrian highlands were hardy warriors, it was inevitable that emperors would recruit them to defend the Roman Legions and even the Praetorian Guard . As in the 3rd century v . Ch. As the empire was threatened by the barbarian peoples of Eastern and Central Europe, Illyricum became one of the most important military Bulwarks Ancient Rome and its culture. Some of the most outstanding emperors of the late Roman Empire were of Illyrian origin, including Claudius II Gothicus , Aurelian , Diocletian and Constantine the Great Most of them were chosen by their own troops on the battlefield and later recognized by the Senate.
395 v. Chr. Was the empire finally divided and Illyria east of the Drinus ( Drina in the Central Balkans) became part of the Eastern Empire. Between the 3rd and 5th centuries it was used by the Visigoths and Huns devastated but left no lasting mark on Illyria. But the Slavs who began invading the Balkan Peninsula in the 6th century had settled throughout the Balkans by the end of the 7th century settled, including the areas of ancient Illyria. Des The Illyrian language there survives only three or four clearly identified lexical items and a few personal names and place names. There are no complete sentences or phrases available for analysis. Based on the location of Illyria and the fact that Albanians descended from one of the ancient (pre-Roman) languages of the Balkans, among some it is believed that Albanian is the direct linguistic descendant from Illyrian, an assumption vigorously defended in the Albanian-speaking country. Historical linguists specializing in the languages of the region are divided into those who accept the assumption that Albanian descended from Illyrian, those who believe that it derives from descended from a close relative of Illyrian, and those who insist that the current body of evidence is insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion. Later history of the region see Balkans .