Who Were the Illyrians? Ancient Illyria and the Sites You Can Visit in Albania

Who were the Illyrians?

A collection of related tribes, not one nation, who lived along the eastern Adriatic and inland Balkans in ancient times.

Greek and Roman writers named tribes such as the Ardiaei, Taulantii, Dardani, Enchele and Dassaretae. Some formed kingdoms; the best known is the Ardiaean kingdom of King Agron and Queen Teuta in the 3rd century BC, which fought Rome in the Illyrian Wars.

When did Illyria end?

Rome defeated the last Illyrian king, Gentius, in 168 BC, and the region became the Roman province of Illyricum.

Gentius ruled from Shkodra (today's Shkodër). After Roman conquest, Illyrian towns were absorbed into the Roman world, and the Via Egnatia road crossed what is now central Albania.

Are Albanians descended from the Illyrians?

Many Albanians see the Illyrians as their ancestors, and it is the most widely held view, but historians still debate it because little of the Illyrian language survives.

The Illyrian language is known only from names and a few words, so a direct link to Albanian cannot be fully proven. Other theories point to Thracian or Dacian roots. Most scholars agree Albanian is a separate, very old branch of the Indo-European languages.

Which Illyrian sites can I visit in Albania?

The easiest are Byllis, Amantia, Apollonia, Butrint, Lissus and the Selca e Poshtme tombs.

Where can I learn more in Tirana?

The National History Museum on Skanderbeg Square has a large prehistory and antiquity section with Illyrian finds.

Check opening hours locally before you go — museum hours change during renovations and holidays.