Agron of Illyria
| Agron | |
|---|---|
| King | |
| King of Ardiaean | |
| Reign | 250–231 BC |
| Predecessor | Pinnes |
| Dynasty | Ardiaean |
| Father | Pleuratus II |
Agron (
He is most famed for his decisive victory over the
History
Agron was mentioned by two Greek historians, Appian (95–165 AD) in his Foreign Wars and Polybius (203–120 BC) in his Histories. Polybius wrote of him as "Agron, king of the Illyrians, was the son of Pleuratus, and possessed the most powerful force, both by land and sea, of any of the kings who had reigned in Illyria before him." The fact that he was mentioned as the son of another ruler indicates that Agron was a successor who managed to expand the power inherited from his ancestors.[3]
Agron extended his rule over other neighboring tribes as well.
In 234 BC, the royal succession in Epirus came to an end, and a federal republic was instituted. In the south, the western part of
One hundred lembi with 5000 men on board sailed up to land at Medion. Dropping anchor at daybreak, they disembarked speedily and in secret. They then formed up in the order that was usual in their own country, and advanced in their several companies against the
hoplites and cavalry in front of their own lines on the level ground, and with a portion of their cavalry and their light infantry they hastened to occupy some rising ground in front of their camp, which nature had made easily defensible. A single charge, however, of the Illyrians, whose numbers and close order gave them irresistible weight, served to dislodge the light-armed troops, and forced the cavalry who were on the ground with them to retire to the hoplites. But the Illyrians, being on higher ground, and charging down on from it upon the Aetolian trrops formed up on the plain, routed them without difficulty. The Medionians joined the action by sallying out of the town and charging the Aetolians, thus, after killing a great number, and taking a still greater number prisoners, and becoming masters also of their arms and baggage, the Illyrians, having carried out the orders of Agron, conveyed their baggage and the rest of their booty to their boats and immediately set sail for their own country.[5]
The defeat of the Aetolians, famed for their victory over the invading Gauls a generation before, caused a sensation in Illyria. Agron was beside himself with delight when his ships returned and he learned of the victory from his commanders. Agron then drank so much by way of celebration, it was reported, that this and other similar indulgences, brought on an attack of pleurisy which killed him within a few days.[6] Agron died in the winter of 231 BC.
The Greek cities (poleis) on the coast of Illyria were systematically attacked and perhaps already conquered[clarification needed] by Agron's forces.[7] Rome answered an appeal from the island of Vis (Issa), threatened by Agron, by sending envoys. They never got there. They were attacked en route by Illyrian vessels, and one of them was killed, together with an Issaean ambassador. Rome thereupon undertook military action against Agron's wife, Teuta, Agron having died in the interim.[8] His son, Pinnes, succeeded him and ruled de jure (though never de facto) for thirteen years. Tritueta was Agron's first wife and the mother of Pinnes. Agron divorced her. Agron's second wife was Queen Teuta, who acted as regent after Agron's death.
See also
- List of rulers of Illyria
References
- ^ Hammond 1993, p. 105.
- ^ Šašel Kos 2014.
- ^ Mesihović & Šačić 2015, p. 49.
- ^ Hammond 1993, p. 104
- ^ Polybius 2.3
- ^ Hammond 1967, pp. 591 and 595
- ISBN 0-631-19807-5.
- ^ The Hellenistic world and the coming of Rome, Volume 1 by Erich S. Gruen
Bibliography
- Astin, A. E. (1998). The Cambridge Ancient History: Rome and the Mediterranean to 133 B.C., Volume 8. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-23448-4.
- Berranger, Danièle; Cabanes, Pierre; Berranger-Auserve, Danièle (2007). Épire, Illyrie, Macédoine: Mélanges offerts au Professeur Pierre Cabanes. Presses Universitaire Blaise Pascal. ISBN 978-2-84516-351-5.
- Edwards, Iorwerth Eiddon Stephen; Gadd, C. J.; Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière; Seltman, Charles Theodore; Boardman, John; Bury, John Bagnell; Cook, Stanley Arthur; Adcock, Frank Ezra; Charlesworth, M. P.; Walbank, F. W.; Ling, Roger; Astin, A. E. (1977). The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume 7, Issue 1. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-23445-X.
- Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière; Walbank, F. W. (1988). A History of Macedonia: Volume III: 336-167 B.C. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 0-19-814815-1.
- Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière (1967). Epirus: The Geography, the Ancient Remains, the History and Topography of Epirus and Adjacent Areas. Clarendon Press.
- Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière (1993). Studies concerning Epirus and Macedonia before Alexander. Hakkert. ISBN 9789025610500.
- ISBN 978-9958-600-65-4.
- Šašel Kos, Marjeta (2014). "Agron, Illyrian". The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4443-3838-6.
- Wilkes, John (1969). Dalmatia. Routledge & K. Paul. ISBN 9780710062857.
- Wilkes, John (1995). The Illyrians. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-19807-5.