Illyria

: This article is about the ancient region in the south of Europe. For other uses of this word, see Illyria (disambiguation).

Characteristics

In the 19th and early 20th century, archaeologists associated the Illyrians with the Hallstatt culture, an Iron Age people noted for production of iron and bronze swords with winged-shaped handles (Ha C) and for horse breeding. Nowadays, the equation of material culture with linguistic and political groups is seen as problematic, as neither the rate of culture change nor of linguistic change is well known.

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It was settled by a number of Illyrian tribes---the Autariatae, Dassaretae, Chelidones, Taulanti, etc.---who are considered by scholars to be the Illyrians proper, whereas the many groups to the north---Pannoni, Dalmatae, Liburni, Iapodes---are considered to be distinct from the "true" Illyrians to the south (Wilkes, 1992, et. al.). Modern nationalist ideologies however tend to minimize the differences and tribal mixing, and often incorrectly refer to all these peoples as "Illyrians".

Related Topics:
Autariatae - Taulanti - Pannoni - Dalmatae - Liburni - Iapodes

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The Illyrians produced and traded cattle, horses, agricultural goods, and wares fashioned from locally-mined copper and iron. Feuds and warfare were constant facts of life for the Illyrian tribes, and Illyrian pirates plagued shipping on the Adriatic Sea. Councils of elders chose the chieftains who headed each of the numerous Illyrian tribes.

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From time to time, local chieftains extended their rule over other tribes and formed short-lived kingdoms. During the 5th century BC, a well-developed Illyrian population center existed as far north as the upper Sava River valley in what is now Slovenia. Illyrian friezes discovered near the present-day Slovenian city of Ljubljana depict ritual sacrifices, feasts, battles, sporting events, and other activities.

Related Topics:
5th century BC - Slovenia - Ljubljana

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At various times, groups of Illyrians migrated over land and sea into Italy.

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