Pelion (Illyria)

"Pellion" redirects here. For Greek mountain in Magnesia, see Pelion.

Pelion, also Pellion or Pelium (Ancient Greek: Πήλιον, Πέλλιον or Πήλεον, Latin: Pelion, Pelium or Pellium) was an ancient fortified settlement traditionally located in Illyria, near the Tsangon Pass, on the border with Macedonia.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Pelion is generally placed in eastern Dassaretis very close to the historical border with Macedonia, however its precise location is uncertain and various theories have been proposed for the site of the settlement.[8]

Founded either by the Illyrian king Bardylis or by the Macedonian king Philip II, the fortified site of Pelion has been controlled in different periods by the Illyrian kingdom, the Macedonian kingdom, and Rome. Under the Roman rule Pelion was placed in the autonomous administrative unit of Dassaretis, in Epirus Nova and in the Prefecture of Illyricum.

  1. ^ Vujčić 2021, pp. 507–508.
  2. ^ Hatzopoulos 2020, pp. 43, 206, 228.
  3. ^ Howe 2017, pp. 106–107.
  4. ^ Hammond & Griffith 1972, p. 41: "Pelion lay on the Illyrian side of the Wolfs pass. Lake Little Prespa, since Philip's annexation ofland, was on the Macedonian side. In 335 Pelion was 'the strongest city in the region', i.e. in its walled defences (Arr. r. 5. 5), and it was 'favourably situated for making attacks into Macedonia' (Livy 3 I. 40. 5)."
  5. ^ Roisman, Joseph (2011). A Companion to Ancient Macedonia. Wiley. p. 295. ISBN 978-1444351637. Escaping one trap, Alexander came to find himself temporarily in difficulty when he moved against Pelium (located somewhere to the west of the Pindus crest which separated Macedonian from Illyrian lands)
  6. ^ Dupuy, Trevor (1969). The military life of Alexander the Great of Macedon. F. Watts. p. 30. ISBN 9780531018750. An Illyrian chieftain named Cleitus had seized the Macedonian frontier fortress town of Pelium, in the pass between Illyria and Macedonia on the upper Apsos (Devol)
  7. ^ Hammond, Nicholas (1994). Collected studies. Hakkert. p. 48. As the fighting among Illyrians was at or near Pelium, we have to put Pelium in Illyria both on the references cited above and also on later statements that it was in Illyria (St. Byz. using Asinius Quadratus), in Dassaretis (Livy 31.40.4).
  8. ^ Vujčić 2021, pp. 506–508.