Illyro-Roman Wars facts for kids

The Illyro-Roman Wars were a series of big conflicts between the Roman Republic and the Illyrian kingdom. These wars happened because Rome wanted to protect its trade routes across the Adriatic Sea and stop Illyrian attacks on its allies. The Illyrians were led by powerful rulers like Queen Teuta and King Gentius.

First Illyrian War (229–228 BC)

This war started because Illyrian pirates were attacking Roman trading ships in the Adriatic Sea. The Illyrian kingdom, led by Queen Teuta, was growing stronger. When a Roman messenger was killed on Teuta's orders, Rome decided to act.

A large Roman army, led by generals Lucius Postumius Albinus and Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus, was sent to Illyria. The Romans quickly pushed the Illyrians out of several Greek cities like Epidamnus, Apollonia, and Corcyra. These cities then became protected by Rome. The Romans also put Demetrius of Pharos in charge of part of Illyria to balance Teuta's power.

Illyrian Power Grows Under Agron

Before the war, the Illyrian kingdom became very strong under King Agron. He attacked and took control of cities like Corcyra, Epidamnos, and Pharos. The Illyrians had a powerful army and navy, using fast warships called lembi. These ships could carry 50 soldiers plus rowers.

Illyrian raids by sea were a common threat to Greek cities. But Agron also used his land army to follow up on naval victories. The Greek island of Issa asked Rome for help against Agron. Roman messengers were sent, but they were attacked by Illyrian ships, and one was killed.

Around 231 BC, Agron's forces attacked the Aetolians, a Greek group. One hundred lembi with 5,000 men landed at Medion. The Illyrians charged the Aetolian lines and defeated them, taking many prisoners and much treasure. This victory shocked the Greeks, as the Aetolians were famous for their past victories.

Raids Under Queen Teuta

After Agron died, his widow, Queen Teuta, took over. She allowed her ships to plunder widely. In 231 BC, her fleet attacked cities in the Peloponnese. On their way back, Teuta's general, Scerdilaidas, captured Phoenice in Epirus. This city was very important for trade with Italy.

The Illyrians had to leave Phoenice to deal with a rebellion at home. But their actions, especially interfering with trade, made Rome very concerned.

Rome Prepares for War

Rome had already settled a colony at Brundisium to watch the Ionian gulf. When Illyrian ships started attacking and robbing Italian merchants, the Roman Senate realized they had to act.

According to ancient writers, Roman messengers went to Teuta. They found her celebrating a victory. When they complained about attacks on Romans, Teuta said her royal forces wouldn't harm them, but she couldn't stop private ships from raiding. One Roman messenger got angry, and Teuta had him killed on his way home. This made the Romans furious and they prepared for war.

Battles at Corcyra and Paxos (229 BC)

Teuta sent a large fleet to attack Corcyra. Some ships tried to capture Epidamnos but failed. The Illyrian fleet then joined forces to besiege Corcyra. The people of Corcyra, Apollonia, and Epidamnos asked the Greek Leagues for help.

Ten Achaean ships fought the Illyrian fleet near Paxos. The Illyrians used better tactics, sinking one Greek ship and capturing four others. Corcyra surrendered and was occupied by an Illyrian force led by Demetrius of Pharos. The Illyrians were close to controlling all the sea routes to Sicily and Italy.

Roman Counterattack

The Roman general Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus sailed with 200 ships to Corcyra. He had been secretly talking with Demetrius, who had fallen out of favor with Teuta. So, Corcyra welcomed the Romans and surrendered its garrison with Demetrius's help. Corcyra became a friend of Rome. Demetrius then helped the Roman commanders for the rest of the war.

Another Roman general, Lucius Postumius Albinus, brought an army of 20,000 foot soldiers and 2,000 horsemen to Apollonia, which also joined Rome. The Roman forces advanced towards Epidamnos, forcing the Illyrians to abandon their siege. The Romans then moved inland, and many Illyrian tribes surrendered to them.

The Romans also lifted the blockade of Issa, giving it Roman protection. As they got closer to the Illyrian heartland, the fighting got tougher. The Romans attacked coastal towns, but also suffered some losses. Teuta retreated to her capital, Rhizon. The Romans decided they had done enough. They handed over the kingdom to Demetrius and withdrew most of their forces.

Peace Treaty (228 BC)

Teuta sent messengers to Rome, and a peace treaty was signed. Teuta agreed to pay tribute to Rome and give up most of Illyria. She also promised not to sail south of Lissus with more than two unarmed ships.

This treaty was good news for the Greek Leagues. The Illyrians lost all their recent conquests south of the Drin River. Rome gained control of important ports like Epidamnos, Apollonia, and Corcyra. Several Illyrian tribes in the inland areas became Roman allies. The Illyrians were now cut off from their ally, Macedonia.

Second Illyrian War (220–219 BC)

Demetrius Regains Power

After the first war, Demetrius of Pharos became powerful. He married Triteuta, the first wife of King Agron and mother of Pinnes, which helped him secure his position as regent for the young king Pinnes. Demetrius started to renew old ties with Macedonia. In 222 BC, 1,600 Illyrian soldiers fought bravely under Demetrius with the Macedonians against the Spartans.

While Rome was busy fighting the Celts in northern Italy, Demetrius broke his alliance with Rome. He sailed south of Lissus and started piracy again, which was against the peace treaty. He also allied with the Illyrian Histri tribe, who were bothering Roman supply ships.

In 220 BC, Demetrius and another Illyrian commander, Scerdilaidas, sailed south with 90 lembi. They attacked Pylos and captured 50 ships. Then, they split their forces. Demetrius plundered the Cyclades islands, while Scerdilaidas went north to Illyria. Scerdilaidas joined the Aetolians in their invasion of Achaea, attacking and burning the town of Cynaetha.

Demetrius continued his raids in the Aegean. He demanded money from some islands and plundered others. The Romans, who had ignored Demetrius's actions until then, decided they needed to secure the Illyrian coast, especially with another war with Carthage coming soon.

Dimallum Falls (219 BC)

Demetrius was ready for the Roman invasion. He put a strong army in Dimallum, a fortified city. He also placed 6,000 of his best soldiers on his home island of Pharos. The Roman general Aemilius Paullus led the Roman attack.

Aemilius Paullus decided that Dimallum was key to Demetrius's power. He besieged the city and captured it in just seven days. After this, all the Illyrian towns in the area surrendered to Rome.

Next, the Romans moved against Demetrius on the island of Pharos. Demetrius had strong defenses and many supplies. To avoid a long siege, Aemilius Paullus planned a direct attack. The Roman army moved to a wooded area on the island. A small Roman fleet then sailed to the harbor to lure Demetrius out. Demetrius came down to fight the Roman landing.

This was a trap. The main Roman army appeared from another direction, cutting off the Illyrian army from their city. Attacked from two sides, the Illyrians lost the battle. Demetrius fled to Macedon, where he joined the court of King Philip V of Macedon.

Aftermath of the War

The Romans destroyed the fortifications on Pharos. Aemilius Paullus returned to Rome, having secured all the gains from the First Illyrian War. The old rules about Illyrian kings' movements were put back in place. Rome supported a small Illyrian state ruled by King Pinnes, who was ordered to pay back taxes and war reparations.

The weak Illyrian state soon fell under Macedonian influence. The Roman legions continued to try and conquer the northern and eastern Illyrian territories for about another hundred years.

Third Illyrian War (168 BC)

Relations with Rome Change

By 181 BC, Pleuratus III was succeeded by his son, King Gentius. During Gentius's rule, relations between the Illyrian state and Rome got worse. The southern coast and inland areas of Illyria had been under Roman control since the First Illyrian War. Gentius wanted to increase Illyrian power over other tribes to the north and west.

Illyrian strength was in its navy. Their interference with shipping in the Adriatic Sea once again made Rome interested in the area. In 180 BC, some of Gentius's ships were caught pirating. Roman messengers couldn't find the king, but they found Romans being held for ransom.

Ten years later, when Rome was preparing for war against Perseus of Macedon, the island of Issa accused Gentius of planning war with Perseus. The Romans seized 54 Illyrian ships. A Roman senator was sent to remind Gentius of his friendship with Rome.

Alliance with Macedonia

In 169 BC, Gentius had his brother, Plator, killed. Plator had planned to marry the daughter of the Dardanian king, which would have made him too powerful. Gentius then married Plator's fiancée himself, securing an alliance with the powerful Dardanian state.

Perseus of Macedon wanted Gentius to join him against Rome. Gentius said he wanted to fight Rome but needed money. Perseus eventually promised him 300 talents (a large sum of money). Gentius agreed and imprisoned two Roman messengers. Perseus then held back the rest of the money, believing Gentius was now his ally no matter what.

Anti-Roman Actions

King Gentius started to strengthen his kingdom. He set up a single tax for everyone and took control of the mints (places where coins are made) in Lissus and Scodra. He issued bronze coins, some with Macedonian symbols, and others with his own head and a lembus (Illyrian warship).

Gentius also built a fleet of 270 lembi, showing he was ready to face Rome across the Adriatic. He also gathered an army of 15,000 men. Gentius was now ready for war with Rome.

Fall of the Illyrian Kingdom (168 BC)

In January/February 168 BC, Gentius led his 15,000 men and fleet from Lissus. He attacked Bassania, a Roman allied city, which refused to surrender. His half-brother, Caravantius, attacked other tribes. A fleet of eight lembi set off to attack the coastal cities of Epidamnus and Apollonia.

Meanwhile, the Romans, under Appius Claudius, learned of Gentius's alliance with Perseus and the arrest of their messengers. Claudius moved his army and joined forces with the new Roman commander, Lucius Anicius Gallus. Anicius had arrived from Italy with two legions, totaling 600 cavalry and 10,400 infantry, plus Italian allies. His fleet was also strengthened. They were joined by 200 cavalry and 2,000 infantry from the Parthini, an Illyrian tribe allied with Rome. The Roman forces outnumbered Gentius's army two to one.

The Roman fleets fought Gentius's lembi and captured many. The Illyrian land forces were defeated, allowing the Romans to advance into the heart of the kingdom. Gentius gathered his forces in his capital, Shkodra, a well-fortified city. When Anicius approached, Gentius panicked and fled into the city.

Gentius asked for a three-day truce, hoping his half-brother Caravantius would arrive with a large army. But Caravantius never came. On the third day, Gentius surrendered to the Romans. He was treated with honor but placed under arrest. The Illyrians in Shkodra surrendered, and the Roman messengers were freed. The Roman army then captured Gentius's queen, Etuta, his brother Caravantius, and his sons.

This part of the campaign lasted only 30 days. The Romans placed garrisons in some towns and fortresses. Some cities joined Rome willingly, while others, like Pharos, were taken by force and looted.

Aftermath of the War

Rome's victory included capturing many royal flags, other treasures, and the king's furniture. The state treasury gained millions of sestercii from the sale of the loot, plus gold and silver.

Gentius and his family were sent to Spoletum, then to Iguvium, to be watched. Other captives were imprisoned in Rome. The Roman Senate gave 220 captured ships to the people of Corcyra, Apollonia, and Epidamnus.

Rome punished the Illyrian kingdoms that had been enemies. Their cities and buildings were burned and looted. Those who had supported Rome kept their own governments and paid Rome only half the taxes they had paid to Gentius. The Illyrian federations were broken up, and each unit became a separate kingdom with local rule and the right to make its own coins.

The southern Illyrian lands were now firmly under Roman control. However, the Roman legions continued to fight for about another hundred years to conquer the northern and eastern territories.

See also

• Illyrian warfare
• Pinnes

Images for kids

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  Queen Teuta and the Roman envoys

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  The Mediterranean in 218 BC

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  King Gentius of Illyria