The Illyrians were an Indo-European people, ancestors of today’s modern Albanians. Their first migration into the area between the Adriatic Sea and Sava River began in the Middle to Late Bronze age circa 2000-1200 BCE (Ceka, 2005:33; Harding, 1992:17; Srejovic, 1998:14; Stallo, 2007:7; Stipčević, 1977; Wilkes, 1992:37-39). As the Illyrian population grew, their territory covered the western Balkans between the Middle Danube valley and the Adriatic Sea (Harding, 1992; Wilkes, 1992:92). Today this expanse is made up of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and of course Albania.
The Illyrian population first developed into tribal societies, characterized by a certain flexibility between the …show more content…
Map of Illyrian, Greek, and Thracian Territory.
Illyrians possessed an ability to create a livelihood from various economic and ecological conditions (Galaty, 2002:110; Stallo, 2007:25). Many of these tribes became dependent upon transhumant pastoralism, meaning they would graze their herds along coastal plains in the winter and move to the mountains for the summer (Galaty, 2002:113; Halstead, 1987:79; Hammond, 1992: 29; Stallo, 2007:28). The exceptional pasturage was the result of the regions warmer temperatures and wetter weather. These conditions were beneficial for the various Illyrian herds that included mules, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats (Halstead, 1987:79; Hammond, 1992:29; Stallo, 2007:9; Wilkes, 1992:109). The Illyrians used hides and wool from their flocks to produce such goods as clothing and leather. Even their daily diet was influenced by these herds and consisted mainly of milk, cheese, and meat (Galaty, 2002:113; Hammond, 1992:30; Stallo, 2007:9). Many Illyrians became involved in trade networks around the Adriatic Sea, prior to Greek colonization. Some of the Illyrian items exported to their neighbors included slaves gathered during tribal conflicts, and hides of their flocks (Galaty, 2002: 112; Stallo, 2007; Stipčević, 1977; Wilkes, …show more content…
Illyrian warriors were known to be fierce fighters, even Greek historians made note of the Illyrian mercenaries’ savageness (Casson, 1926; Wilkes, 1992). According to the Athenian historian Thucydides, the Illyrians were barbarians. He referred to them as robbers by sea and land who were powerful but not ingenious in war tactics (Srejovic, 1998:12; Stallo, 2007:26). Due to these fierce fighting skills, it is understandable that both the Greeks and the Macedonians wanted to win Illyrian tribes over as their allies (Srejovic, 1998:12; Stipčević,
The Illyrian population first developed into tribal societies, characterized by a certain flexibility between the …show more content…
Map of Illyrian, Greek, and Thracian Territory.
Illyrians possessed an ability to create a livelihood from various economic and ecological conditions (Galaty, 2002:110; Stallo, 2007:25). Many of these tribes became dependent upon transhumant pastoralism, meaning they would graze their herds along coastal plains in the winter and move to the mountains for the summer (Galaty, 2002:113; Halstead, 1987:79; Hammond, 1992: 29; Stallo, 2007:28). The exceptional pasturage was the result of the regions warmer temperatures and wetter weather. These conditions were beneficial for the various Illyrian herds that included mules, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats (Halstead, 1987:79; Hammond, 1992:29; Stallo, 2007:9; Wilkes, 1992:109). The Illyrians used hides and wool from their flocks to produce such goods as clothing and leather. Even their daily diet was influenced by these herds and consisted mainly of milk, cheese, and meat (Galaty, 2002:113; Hammond, 1992:30; Stallo, 2007:9). Many Illyrians became involved in trade networks around the Adriatic Sea, prior to Greek colonization. Some of the Illyrian items exported to their neighbors included slaves gathered during tribal conflicts, and hides of their flocks (Galaty, 2002: 112; Stallo, 2007; Stipčević, 1977; Wilkes, …show more content…
Illyrian warriors were known to be fierce fighters, even Greek historians made note of the Illyrian mercenaries’ savageness (Casson, 1926; Wilkes, 1992). According to the Athenian historian Thucydides, the Illyrians were barbarians. He referred to them as robbers by sea and land who were powerful but not ingenious in war tactics (Srejovic, 1998:12; Stallo, 2007:26). Due to these fierce fighting skills, it is understandable that both the Greeks and the Macedonians wanted to win Illyrian tribes over as their allies (Srejovic, 1998:12; Stipčević,