The Illyrians History by Prof. MUZAFER KORKUTI

ARCHAEOLOGY

By Prof. MUZAFER KORKUTI

The Illyrians History

Written sources from ancient authors have it that western Balkan regions since ancient times were inhabited by the Illyrians, one of the largest people of the peninsula. Such interpretation of sources can also be backed up by archaeological, linguistic and anthropologic data, which might as well add to the conclusion that the Illyrians were a very ancient and autochthonous population that was formed in a very long historic and cultural process during both the bronze and iron ages (the second millennium BC).

Sources of Illyrian tribes may be found in the earliest works of the Hellenic literature in both Homer and Hesiod’s poems. The Greek writers' interest about Illyria and Illyrians grew soon after the first Hellenic colonies settled in the eastern Adriatic coast such as Dyrrachium, Apollonia and Orichon during the 7th to 6th centuries BC. The close links that these cities kept with the metropolis and the continuous visits by both Greek travellers and merchants in order to become acquainted and make deals in both rich minerals and agricultural and dairy products of Illyria, helped the Greek world acquire full and exact knowledge of Illyrians, and such firm data be may easily found across the well-known works of the historians of the ancient world, such as Herodotus and, particularly, Thucydides.

Records on the Illyrians' history come in abundance during the 4th to the 2d centuries BC. Among them Polybius’ works give key and precise data about the Illyrian Kingdom, but Apian's and Strabo’s ones are also worth mentioning.

In contrast, historic records during the first centuries AD appear to be very limited, whereas literary works by both ancient and Byzantine authors grow in number in the period that follows the 4th to 7th centuries AD (wherefrom one can draw valuable facts about the history of Illyria during the late antiquity).

Ancient and early-recorded sources of the Middle Ages make up a key basis for reconstructing the history of the Illyrians and Arbërs. As a matter of fact, however, they appear to be fragmentary and somewhat insufficient and that’s why they can hardly reconstruct in full the historic development in the territory of Albania during the antiquity. However, if we were to explore and view them thoroughly within the context of archaeological data, we can achieve to reconstruct a fair standpoint of the Illyrian culture.

The Illyrians inhabited a large territory, whose northern border went as far as Danube’s branches (Sava and Drava), while southward it covered the bulk of prehistoric Epirus and extended as far as Ambracia bay (Preveza). Its eastern natural borders went as far as Morava and Vardar rivers, while in the west were both Adriatic and Ionian coasts. A few Illyrian tribes like Mesapsa and Japygs were settled in the Southern Italy.

Their geographical position seems to have played a key role in their economic, social and political development for the mere reason that they were much close to the two greatest ancient civilisations – the Hellenic and Roman ones, and later the early Byzantine culture.

The first polis was born in the Southern Illyria during the 6th to 5th century BC. From the political standpoint, these city-states were hereditary monarchies, where representatives of the aristocracy of slave owners reigned. The administrative division had at its centre the city-state, where the dynasty appointed by the king was in power. Within the monarchical framework of the state, both Illyrian cities and regions all around them were self-governed in the form of communities with an executive council at the head that was elected yearly.

During the 5th and 4th centuries BC, the Illyrian state is fully established. The most energetic king was Bardhyl who conquered and subdued the Macedonians, and in 359 BC he dared to challenge Philip II of Macedonia in order to restore the eastern borders. Under the rule of King Glaukia, the Illyrian state strengthens rapidly.

In 355 BC war broke out against Alexandër of Macedonia to free the eastern territories and in the meantime the Illyrians enter in alliance with Epirus by bringing to power Pyrrhus (309 BC).

At this time Dyrrhachium joins Illyrian state, while Apollonia is freed from the Macedonian subjugation. Glaukia's successors -- Monun and Mytyl -- strengthen the Illyrian state economically and mint both bronze and silver coins. Soon after the mid-3d century BC, under the reign of Pleurat and Agron, the Illyrian state starts to prosper again.

In 231 BC they defeat Etols and enter into alliance with Epirus and Acarnania and apparently turn out to be the most powerful force in the Balkans, and that’s why they come against the hegemonic schemes of Rome in Adriatic. In the course of two wars against Rome (229 and 218 BC.), the Illyrian state led by Teuta loses both of them. Later on, under Gent’s reign (186-168), the Illyrian state restores again its anti-Roman policy and enters into alliance with Macedonia and Dardania. During the battle Shkodër (168 BC), the Illyrian army was defeated and the Illyrian state turned to runs.

After the Roman Empire conquered both the Illyrian Kingdom and Epirus, it decided to settle here for long and force its way to the whole Balkan peninsula as far as Asia Minor. Rome carried out an administrative policy in the Illyrian state that served its aim of having it romanised. Southern Illyria was divided into four provinces: Preval (with Shkodër as its centre), Dardania (with Skoplje as its center), Nova Epirus (with Dyrrhachium as its centre) and Ancient Epirus (with Nicopoja as its centre).

During the 1st century AD, great changes took place in city life. Some cities like Dyrrhachium, Shkodër, Bylis and Butrint were given the status of colonies. Their further development was linked with the growth of handicraft, trade and transport. A well-known road was Egnatia that joined Dyrrhachium and Apollonia and went past Thesoloniki to reach Constantinople. It was 267 miles (395 km) long and was built in the 1st century BC by the consul of Macedonia – G. Egnatius.

During the late antiquity, when the power of empire shifted to provinces, city life prospered in some of them. Thus, Dyrrhachium was one of the biggest cities of the late antiquity and the early Byzantine civilisation. Distinguished personalities of both Roman and Byzantine Empires like the spokesman Asin Epikad, the jurist Prisk, emperors of the 3d to 4th centuries AD -- Claudius, Aurelian, Diocletian, Maxim Daza, Constantine, Constantine I, Justin, Justinian, etc., have been reported to visit it.

The Illyrians are mentioned for the last time in 601 AD in St. Demetris' chronicle, while in 1079, the Byzantine chronicler Michael Ataliat writes about the Arbër population that inhabited the territories where once were Illyrians.

Now were the Arbërs of the 11th century AD successors of Illyrians of 6th century BC?

The coincidence of the present territory with the one of ancient Illyria has encouraged scholars to support the thesis of Illyrian-Albanian continuity. Historians, archaeologists and linguists share the view that Arbërs are direct successors to Illyrians. It’s beyond doubt that the lack of historic records from the 7th to 10th centuries AD might leave room for suggesting other theories about their origin.

Linguistics has not only anticipated such theories, but has also rendered a valuable contribution to the thesis of Illyrian-Albanian continuity, which is backed up by the simple fact that Albanian language is spoken today right where the Illyrian language was once spoken. A lot of archaeological evidence as well as other evidence from the material and spiritual culture contribute to proving that there is an incessant cultural continuity from Illyrians to early Albanians. The best proof is the Koman culture, or the earliest Albanian medieval one that was developed in the late antiquity and prospered during the 7th to 11th centuries all over the territory of present-day Albania.

CHRISTIANITY Is one of the three monotheistic religions spread in different countries, like Islamism and Buddhism, that was established on the eastern part of the Roman Empire (Palestine) on the basis of legends and various beliefs and that initially spread among the oppressed. In the 4th century AD, it become a state religion and was codified in what is to be the Bible. In the course of its growth, Christianity developed differently, but three are its fundamental religions: Catholicism, Orthodox Faith and Protestantism.

Christian faith in Albania falls into Orthdoxism and Christianism. In Illyria it was spread as an illegal faith beginning in the 1st century of the Christian era.

After its official recognition during the first half of the 4th century AD by the Roman slaveholding state, it founded its institutions: churches, monasteries and its hierarchy: archbishops, bishops, abbots and their dioceses.

The complete conversion from "paganism" to Christianity, in all territories where Albanians live today, took place during the 5th to 6th centuries AD.

Researches carried out in a lot of monuments of the Christian faith show fully that Christianity has played an important role in the formation and prospering of a novel unity in the vast communities founded after the great schism of the Roman Empire.

During the late antiquity, Church hierarchy structures were institutionalised on a province basis (Dardania, Preval, Nova Epirus and Ancient Epirus), each being run by a metropolis. After the empire’s division, they affiliated the Eastern Iliricum, whose religious governance shifted from Rome to Constantinople.

As early as the first half of the 8th century AD (731) down to the 10th century, when Ohrid diocese was established and came to put under its administration all of southern and south-eastern dioceses, some churches became subordinate to the Patriachate of Constantinople with the rest remaining under the administration of Durrës metropolis. After the dissolution of Ohrid diocese (1767), the whole Orthodox Church became dependent on the Instambul Patriachate. During the Middle Ages, even if Catholicism became powerful by means of Benedictine, Dominican and Franciscan orders in Albania, it was in an inferior status as compared to the Catholicism that was instituted by the Vatican. Both churches paid taxes to their senior administrations.

After the Ottoman conquest and the spread of Islamism, Christianity received a heavy blow. Church estates sustained great losses. During the 17th century, Christianity represented but half of Albanian believers and rendered a great service to the spread of Hellenisation of the Albanian orthodox population by preaching, at the same time, obedience to the Ottoman invader.

With the rising of national consciousness in the fight against the foreign rule, some very known personalities from a clerical background, such as Pjetër Budi, Fran Bardhi and Pjetër Bogdani, appeared on the scene and played a key role in promoting the Albanian culture. During the national Renaissance, a number of clergymen from both religions toiled hard and gave their lives for the country’s interests and national culture, like Papa Kristo Negovani, Ndoc Nikaj, Nikollë Kaçorri, etc. On September 12, 1922, after tremendous efforts on the part of Albanian patriots, the independence of the Albanian Orthodox Church from Patriarchate was proclaimed, while the Catholic Church remained under the administration of the Vatican. In 1967, all religions in Albania were violently banned to be restored only in 1992.

ARCHAEOLOGY

The concern for archaeological values in Albania started as early as the 19th century when scholars of historical geography devoted their research to the localisation and identification of records from ancient sources.

The first to pay a visit to Albania is the French Pouqueville (F.C.H.L. Pouqueville, Voyage dans la Gréce, comprenant la description ancienne et moderne de l’Epire, de l’Illyrie grecque etc. Paris 1820-21, v. 5) and the second to follow suit is an Englishman -- Martin Leake, who after travelling to the south of Albania and Apollonia, published a detailed outline on the ruins of the archaeological objects he had come across (W.M. Leake, Travels in northern Greece, London 1835, vol. 4). Then the French archaeologist L. Heuzey came to Albania and focused his research mainly on Durrës and Apollonia (L. Heuzey, H. Daument, Le mission archéologique de Macédonie, Paris, 1876). At the beginning of the 20th century, the Balkanologist C. Patsch visited the suburbs of Vlora. He is the first to discover the city of Amantia and to publish a detailed report on the ancient cities of Bylis, Klos, Berat, etc. (C.Patsch, Das Sandschak Berat in Albanien, Wien 1904). During the First World War, the Austrian archaeologists C. Praschniker and A.Schober started their researches by beginning from North Albania going down towards south focusing mainly on the monuments of the Illyrian archaeologic centres (C. Praschniker – A.Schober, Archäologische Forschungen in Albanien und Montenegro, Wien 1919; C.Praschniker, Muzakia und Malakastra, Wien 1920).

A French archaeological mission, headed by Leon Rey, launched its systematic researches from 1924 until 1938, whose results were published in the Albania magazine (L. Rey, Albanie, Revue d’archéologie, Paris 1925-1939 in six volumes). In 1926, an Italian archeologic mission started researches in the ancient city of Phoinike and then in Butrint. The Italian mission was initially led by L. Ugolini to be replaced later by Marconi and Mustill (L. Ugolini, Albania Antica, Roma 1927-1942, 3 vol.); D.Mustill, La civilta preistorica dell’Albania, Roma 1940).

After the Second World War till 1990, both archaeological researches and studies were carried out by the Albanian archaeologists. In 1948, the first Archaeological-Ethnographic Museum was set up in Tirana, in 1976 the department of the Archaeological Research Studies was established, and in 1991 the Institute of Archaeology. During the past half-century, apart from the Central Archaeological Museum and an archaeological showcase in the National Historic Museum, museums of an archaeological type were established in Durrës, Apollonia, Butrint, Korça, where unique artefacts are displayed.

During 1991-1999, the Albanian archaeology enters a new stage, the one of co-operation with other sister institutions. The Albanian-Greek project in Butrint, the Albanian-American projects both in Konispol Cave (Sarandë) and Apollonia-Bylis, the Albanian-French projects in Apollonia and in the prehistoric settlement of Sovjan (Korçë) as well as the Albanian-British project in Butrint keep on going. For the year 2000, other research projects have been scheduled for Durrës, Bylis, etc.

The centennial achievements in both archaeological researches and excavations can be summed as follows:

Prehistory field The earliest traces of inhabitation in the territory of Albania have been discovered in Xara (Sarandë) and Gajtan (Shkodër) both of which date back to Palaeolithic Age (about 100.000 years ago). A dozen of other habitations (Xara, Konispol, St. Marine, Kryegjatë, Rrëzë Dajt, Gajtan, etc.) that cover all the territory of Middle Albania, date back to 30.0000-10.000 years.

During the Neolithic Age (7000 to 3000 years BC) Albania’s territory has been widely inhabited. This is proved by tens of settlements discovered, which were set up on fertile fields and terraces close to rivers and caves. Their dwellings were simple mud-brick huts. The dwellings discovered in Dunavec and Maliq were set up on palafittes that required a high technique of building. Agriculture and livestock as well as pottery took a central place in the life of the Neolithic inhabitants. By the end of the Neolithic Age, potters produced a variety of artistic wares of a high quality.

Some painted wares found in Dunavec, Cakran and Maliq, imported from Dimini culture in Thesaly (Greece), appear to be of a special value. They are the first proofs of exchange between our country and the most advanced civilisations of the southern and eastern Europe during the Neolithic Age.

By the beginning of the Iron Age (the third millennium BC) in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, there were great and key changes due to the influx of the Indo-European nomad people coming from the East. A novel appearance was the tomb burial rite (Pazhok of Elbasan, Barçë of Korça, Piskova of Përmet, etc.). Such a burial rite was to be used continually during the whole Bronze Age and become characteristic of the Illyrians during the Iron Age.

By the end of the second millennium and the first half of the 1st millennium BC, Illyrians set up their settlements on hills and gradually encircled them with strong walls (Gajtan-Shkodër, Tren-Korçë, Kalivo-Sarandë, etc.).

Antiquity field Until the 7th century BC, Illyrian regions had advanced parallelly. Among them, regions like Fusha of Korça, Mati, Glasinac (in Bosnia) had patterned a much higher material culture than others. Illyria's involvement in the wide socio-economic move in the Mediterranean brought about what is known to be the rapid development of southern Illyria soon after 7th century BC.

A key factor involved was its early relations with the Greek world and particularly the process of urbanisation that grew rapidly after the foundation of Greek colonies along Illyrian coasts. Thus, the colonists coming from Corcyra in 627 BC founded Dyrrhachium, while in 588 BC they settled in Apollonia.

Orichon was founded about the first half of the 6th century BC. All archaeological data bring ample evidence that Dyrrhachium and Apollonia became true cities during the 6th to 5th centuries BC, and during 4th century they reached full bloom that paved the way to the building of magnificent monuments.

As early as the 5th century BC Dyrrhachium, or Epidamnus, has its potteries, metal and leather processing shops, textiles, shipyards, etc. Proofs of such a trade development in this city are the minting of both bronze and silver coins, while the mosaic of a gravelled floor showing the so-called Dyrrhachium's Beauty suggests the urban prosperity.

By 229 BC, Dyrrhachium became dependent on Rome and later its colony. During the 1st to 3d centuries AD, it goes through another prosperous time and becomes both the key centre and port of the eastern Adriatic coasts. It’s just at this time that amphitheatre, library, waterworks and thermal station were built.

In the course of the 4th century Dyrrhachium collapsed economically and the earthquake of AD 345 further ruined it by turning it into a small trade centre. Its key geographic position, however, came to its aid again and during the 5th to 6th centuries AD it became one of the most important cities of the Byzantine Empire. During Anastas’ reign (a native from Dyrrhachium) a number of new buildings, the hippodrome and three rows of very strong surrounding walls were set up.

APOLLONIA An ancient city, one of the biggest in Adriatic basin and the most distinguished among 30 others that bore the same name during antiquity. It was built on a hill (whose tops are respectively 101 and 103 m above the sea level), a position that overlooks the whole area and leads through Vjosa River to Adriatic.

During its first years of existence, Apollonia kept close contacts with Corcyra and Corinth and played the part of a trade negotiator between Hellenians and Illyrians. During 5th century BC it became an advanced economic centre with numerous crafts and extended its relations with both the Illyrian world and Attica and later on with Magma Grecia (Southern Italy).

Its full prosperity came during the 4th to 3d centuries BC. It extended further west by occupying the entire slope and was encircled by a defensive wall almost 4 km in length covering an area of some 138 hectares. Apollonia was built by a project that was based on Hipodam's orthogonal system: it has straight major and minor roads that crossed each other and separated areas that formed the quarters of the city. Apart from the surrounding walls, other major buildings were the portico in the city centre (agora), the theatre, a monumental fountain, a gymnasium, etc. Apollonia’s boulevard is conspicuous for its advanced planimetry and solid architecture. This boulevard has a two-storied passageway (70.2 m x 10.5 m). The back wall, that was simply for safe keeping, contains 17 obsidian niches where statuettes were displayed, while the interior and exterior parts of the colonnade of the first floor were formed by octagonal columns. During the 1st to 3d centuries AD, the city underwent a second period of intensive constructions such as the Agonothetes' temple, Odeon, library and a lot of villas embellished with mosaics. During Augusts’ reign, Apollonia was declared a free and untouchable city and continued to be a key economic and cultural centre. Both architecture and other branches of art developed highly, above all sculpture. That’s why Cicero called it “Magna urbs et gravis” ("A great and solemn city").

During the 3d and 4th centuries Apollonia loses its former glory and in the Middle Ages turns into a diocesan centre.

Mutual relations between city colonies and the Illyrian hinterland stepped up the birth and development of several Illyrian cities. Thus, during the 4th to 2d centuries BC, cities like Butrint, Amantia, Bylis, Phoinike, Antigonea, Dimal and Lis came into being. They were located on hilltops or slopes overlooking far into distance and were surrounded by strong and solid walls carved in polygonal or trapezoidal patterns and later on by square blocks. By the 4thcentury BC, they had been turned into craft and trade centres, and by the mid-3d century BC they were fully shaped as ancient cities.

The interior space of the city was founded according to the hipodamic system, where political, social, cultural and religions (prytanenium, theatre, boulevard, temples, etc.) buildings formed the city centre marked off from the other parts. Actual evidence of buildings of the Illyrian cities goes to prove their urban level.

BUTRINT Archaeological artefacts prove that during the 7th and the 6th centuries BC Butrint was a proto-urban centre, but it was only during the 5th century BC that it turned into a full city. By the end of the 4th century the agora, the boulevard, a small temple and the theatre holding 1500 seats were built up, the latter one fortunately being preserved till our days. The complex of the theatre and other buildings like Asklep’s temple, portico, baths, etc. form the most magnificent part of the ancient city.

During late antiquity and early Middle Ages, Butrint flourished greatly. The construction of the baptistery, which is the most important monument of the early Christian period, dates from this time. The baptistery, which has a round shape with a diameter of 13.50 m, is laid with multicoloured geometric and animal mosaic motifs and bears special artistic values. The hall has two rows of granite colonnades upon which the roof rests.

ANTIGONEA A city founded in the 3d century BC. With a wall that is 4000 m in length, it has been built up by a hipodamic system, with straight roads that divide it in quarters with a width of some 200 feet and other smaller divisions.

AMANTIA It is situated on the slope of a high hill and had only its acropolis fortified. Its wall extends to some 2200 m. Its name was initially mentioned only in the 4th century BC. By the 3d century BC the city strengthens economically and mints its own coins. This status is being proved by the construction of the Aphrodite temple, a theatre and above all a stadium that is kept whole to our days. It takes much after all of the Greek stadiums with a track-and filed lane that is 184.8 m long and 12.25 m in width. One side of steps, built by limestones, has 17 rows, the opposite side just 8.

BYLIS One of the largest Illyrian cities that developed during 4th century BC and became a centre of an Illyrian tribe -- the Bylins. It covered an area of some 30 hectares surrounded by walls and had 7 entrances and as many towers. During the 3d century BC, the city strengthened economically and it’s at this time that the agora, covering an area of 4 hectares, the theatre that held 9000 seats, the stadium, the gymnasium, etc., had been built. By the 1st century AD, Bylis became a Roman colony.

During the 4th century AD it was surrounded by impregnable walls and later, during the 5th and 6th centuries, it became an important diocesan centre. This is proved by the discovery of 6 basilicas, whose floors are laid with mosaics of early Christian motifs, all of which of a very high quality.

ALBANOPOLI An Illyrian city, centre of the Alban tribe that was first mentioned by Ptolemy in the mid-2d century AD, who even defines its co-ordinates. It has been located in Zgërdhesh (in the vicinity of Kruja). Both the city and the Alban tribe who founded it bore their names throughout the Middle Ages until today and it is the root of this name with the ending ia (Albania) that was given to the southern Illyrians down to us.

LISI It came into existence by the end of 4th century BC, where a proto-urban settlement had been built. During 3d to 2d centuries BC its surrounding walls separated it into three areas -- acropolis, uptown and downtown that extended along Drini River. Its walls are still well preserved, while its 12 gates and numerous towers give it a wonderful sight. Under Caesar's rule it assumed both a major authority and municipal rights and played an active role during the civil war between Pompeii and Caesar.

DOWN SELCA Upon the hilltops of the homonymous village, ruins have been found of an Illyrian city that dates back to the 4th to 3d centuries BC. By early the 3d century BC, it becomes a centre of the Illyrian region of Dasaretias. It’s just at this time that the princely monumental tombs were carved inside a rock with architecture of Ionian style. In one of the tombs a very rich inventory was found that contains weapons, bronze and earthen wares, silver ornaments and a metallic bulla having a mythological fighting scene in relief.

In city colonies like Dyrrhachium, Apollonia and other cities of the southern Illyria such as Butrint, Amantia, Bylis, Antigonea etc. art developed and flourished side by side with the economy, though at the very first it developed along the traditional lines with Corinthian and Corcyrian art. Soon after the 5th century BC, it acquires local traits. Of special artistic values is the pottery. During the 4th to 3d centuries BC, the potteries of Apollonia and Dyrrhachium produced wares with red figures either from mythological themes, or from everyday life. Both types of terra cottas are characterised by artistic plasticity. There are also bronze ones, most of which are artistic works.

During the 1st and 2d centuries AD, traits of Roman art can also be found in sculpture. Portrayal is typical, for it is a personification of the contemporary spirit and tradition. The main centre was Apollonia, where they sculptured portraits of magistrates, the Philosopher, Bilias, etc. The centres of Dyrrhachium, Butrint and Phoinike also contain qualitative portraits in sculpture. The relief now becomes schematic and the carving, with decoration of altars, sarcophaguses, architectural monuments, etc., seems to serve practical values.

The mosaic as a genre of monumental and decorative painting in both Greek and Roman antiquity and early medieval times prospered greatly especially in the first centuries AD. By using cubic black and multicoloured stones upon a white background, geometric figures from maritime mythology came into being. The polychrome mosaic discovered in Apollonia, which displays the Amazons' fight, is of a very great interest.

The mosaic as a genre of art also flourishes during the 5th-6th centuries AD with the early Byzantine works of cult like basilicas, churches, baptisteries, etc. The mosaic figures spread freely all over the floors of monuments showing animals, trees, fruits, bunches of grapes, birds, fish and various aquatic motifs. The mosaic of the baptistery of Butrint, the triclinium of the basilica of Lin (Pogradec) and those of Arapaj (Durrës) and Bylis are worth mentioning.

There is only one mural mosaic in Albania that is preserved till our days and that’s the one of Durrës dome, built up within the city theatre. It exhibits saints' figures and dates from the early Byzantine time.

Early Middle Ages First evidence about the early medieval culture comes from the first systematic excavations that were made during 1960-70s in Koman, Bukël, Shurdhah and Lezha, where numerous tombs were discovered. Researches extended gradually over a dozen of fortresses of the late antiquity and early Middle Ages in Varosh (Stelush), Shurdhah (Sarde), Lin, Pogradec, Berat, Kanina, Butrint, etc. Part of these fortresses are an extension of former cities and towns of ancient time, while the rest and the citadels have been built under the circumstances of new historic events.

During the early medieval age, i.e. from the 6th to 9th centuries AD, cities are abandoned due to the restoration of the close natural economy. Only Dyrrhachium, where the Byzantine power was concentrated, remained a true city. Southward, Butrint also continued to be a key civic centre.

A revival of city life is seen during 9th century in cities like Berat, Kanina and Lezha, where Byzantine coins were put in circulation and fortified constructions remained well kept.

Bibliography:

1.Illyrians and Illyria from ancient authors, Tirana, 1995.

2.The First Council on Illyrian Studies, Tirana, 1974.

3.Les Illyriens, Tirana, 1985.

4.Illyria 1985, 2,5. Illyria 1986, 1; Archaeology, N.Ceka-M.Korkuti, Tirana 1998.