Bardylis

For the later Illyrian king, see Bardylis II.
Bardylis
Reign393–358 BC
SuccessorCleitus
Bornc. 448 BC
Diedc. 358 BC (aged 90)
Erigon Valley

Bardylis (also Bardyllis /bɑːrˈdɪlɪs/; Ancient Greek: Βάρδυλις; c. 448 – c. 358 BC) was an Illyrian king, and the founder of the first attested Illyrian dynasty.[1] During his reign, Bardylis aimed to make Illyria a regional power interfering with Macedon. He united many southern Illyrian tribes under his realm and defeated the Macedonians and Molossians several times, expanding his dominion over Upper Macedonia, including Lynkestis, and ruling over Macedon through a puppet king. Before the Rise of Macedon Illyrians were the dominant power in the region.[2] Bardylis also led raids against Epirus, but his soldiers were eventually expelled from the region.[3]

Most scholars hold that the Illyrian kingdom that was established by Bardylis was centered along Lake Ohrid and east to the Prespa Lakes, which was called Dassaretis later in Roman times, located on the border between Macedon and Epirus.[4][a] Illyrians, in particular under Bardylis' leadership, held a remarkable role in the development of the Argead Macedonian military.[9] Philip II and Alexander the Great spent at least some of their youth age at Illyrian courts, getting well familiar with Illyrian customs, habits and specially military strategies and techniques.[2]

According to ancient sources, Bardylis lived to over 90 years. According to these sources, Bardylis lived a long time and was at an advanced age when he faced Philip II of Macedon in 358 BC and at whose hands he died[10] after Philip rejected his offer of peace based on Bardylis retaining conquered lands.[11] Bardylis' son Cleitus revolted with the help of Taulantian king Glaukias against Alexander the Great in the siege of Pelium undertaken in 335 BC.

  1. ^ Šašel Kos 2002, p. 106"... Bardylis , the first attested Illyrian king..."
  2. ^ a b Howe 2017, p. 108.
  3. ^ Malkin 1998, p. 247; Castiglioni 2007, p. 174; Lane Fox 2011, p. 225; King 2017, p. 57 Howe 2017, p. 103.
  4. ^ Toynbee 1969, p. 116; Mortensen 1991, pp. 49–59; Cabanes 2002, pp. 50–51, 56, 75; Šašel Kos 2002, p. 106; Castiglioni 2010, p. 58; Lane Fox 2011, p. 342; Mesihović & Šačić 2015, pp. 129–130; Parisot 2015, p. 477; Vujčić 2021, p. 503; Shehi 2023, p. 183.
  5. ^ Cabanes 2002, pp. 50–51, 56, 75.
  6. ^ Mortensen 1991, pp. 49–59.
  7. ^ Lane Fox 2011, p. 342: "Their own king Bardylis was king of a realm along Lake Ohrid and east to the two Prespa Lakes, the "Dassaretis" of later topography, not "Dardania", as Hammond postulated"
  8. ^ Vujčić 2021, pp. 501–504.
  9. ^ Howe 2017, pp. 99, 108.
  10. ^ Woodward 1993, p. 175: "Bardylis, king of, defeated and killed by Philip of Macedonia, 359 — Cleitus, his son, revolts from Alexander and is subdued."
  11. ^ Borza 1990, p. 202: "The Illyrian king Bardylis offered peace based upon a status quo, but Philip insisted on an Illyrian withdrawal from the region."


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