Ardiaei

The Ardiaei[a] were an Illyrian people who resided in the territory of present-day Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia[2] between the Adriatic coast on the south, Konjic on the north, along the Neretva river and its right bank on the west, and extending to Lake Shkodra to the southeast.[3][4] From the 3rd century BC to 168 BC the capital cities of the Ardiaean State were Rhizon and Scodra.[5][6]

The Ardiaean kingdom was transformed into a formidable power—both on land and sea—under the leadership of Agron of Illyria. During this time, Agron invaded parts of Epirus, Corcyra, Epidamnos, and Pharos in succession, establishing garrisons there.[7][8] The Ardiaean realm became one of Rome's major enemies, and the primary threat to it in the Adriatic Sea. A series of wars were fought between the Roman Republic and the Illyrian (Ardiaean-Labaeatan) kingdom in the 3rd–2nd centuries BC. Polybius (203 BC–120 BC) wrote that they were subdued[9] by the Romans in 229 BC. The Epitome of Livy reports the Roman consul Fulvius Flaccus put down an uprising in 135 BC undertaken by Ardiaei and Pleraei in Roman Illyria.[10][11]

In earlier times, the Ardiaei were enemies of the Autariatae for a long period over salt sources.[12] Appian (95–165) wrote that the Ardiaei were destroyed by the Autariatae and that in contrast to the Autariatae they had maritime power.[13]

  1. ^ Wilkes 1992, p. 216.
  2. ^ Croatian Encyclopedia, "...retreating before the Celts after 300 BC, they occupied the coastal belt from today's Makarska littoral to Pelješac..."
  3. ^ Šašel Kos 2005, p. 320: "The Ardiaei were certainly also settled in the hinterland, along the Naro River at least as far as the Konjic region..."
  4. ^ Wilkes 1992, p. 188: "probably the result of pressure from new Illyrian groups, including the Ardiaei and Delmatae, moving towards the Adriatic..."
  5. ^ Vickers 1999, p. 2.
  6. ^ Dyczek 2020, pp. 423–433.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wilkes156-157 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Shehi 2023, pp. 183–184.
  9. ^ Plb. 2.11, "The Romans, taking the Epidamnians under their protection, advanced into the interior of Illyricum, subduing the Ardiaei as they went."
  10. ^ vardaei-geo
  11. ^ Dzino 2010, p. 64.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wilkes139-223 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ App. Ill. 1, "In like manner the Ardiæi, who were distinguished for their maritime power, were finally destroyed by the Autarienses, whose land forces were stronger, but whom they had often defeated."


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