Illyria: Encyclopedia II - Illyria - Settlement of Proto-Illyrian tribes

Illyria - Settlement of Proto-Illyrian tribes

Some archaeologists propose that the Proto-Illyrians settled in what would become Illyria as early as the Early Bronze Age, and presumably soon mingled with the previous non-Indo-European inhabitants. This mixture would eventually result in the formation of the Illyrian tribes who inhabited Illyria in the Classical period---the Autariatae, Dassaretae, Chelidones, Taulanti, etc.---who were kin to tribes further north, also often classed as Illyrians: the Dalmatae, Pannoni, and others.

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.

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.

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

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Settlement of Proto-Illyrian tribes", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki