Illyrian wars Illyrian warfare

in first illyrian war, lasted 229 bc 228 bc, rome s concern trade routes running across adriatic sea increased after first punic war, when many tribes of illyria became united under 1 queen, teuta. death of roman envoy named coruncanius on orders of teuta , attack on trading vessels owned italian merchants under rome s protection, prompted roman senate dispatch roman army under command of consuls lucius postumius albinus (consul 234 , 229 bc) , gnaeus fulvius centumalus. rome expelled illyrian garrisons @ greek cities epidamnus, apollonia, korkyra, pharos , others , established protectorate on these greek towns.

the romans set demetrius of pharos power in illyria counterbalance power of teuta.

the second illyrian war lasted 220 bc 219 bc. in 219 bc roman republic @ war celts of cisalpine gaul, , second punic war carthage beginning. these distractions gave demetrius time needed build new illyrian war fleet. leading fleet of 90 ships, demetrius sailed south of lissus, violating earlier treaty , starting war.

demetrius fleet first attacked pylos captured 50 ships after several attempts. pylos fleet sailed cyclades, quelling resistance found on way. demetrius foolishly sent fleet across adriatic, and, illyrian forces divided, fortified city of dimale captured roman fleet under lucius aemilius paulus. dimale navy went towards pharos. forces of rome routed illyrians , demetrius fled macedon became trusted councilor @ court of philip v of macedon, , remained until death @ messene in 214 bc.

during third illyrian war in 168 bc illyrian king gentius allied himself macedonians. first in 171 bc, allied romans against macedonians, in 169 changed sides , allied himself perseus of macedon. arrested 2 roman legati , destroyed cities of apollonia , dyrrhachium, allied rome. in 168 defeated @ scodra roman force under l. anicius gallus, , in 167 brought rome captive participate in gallus triumph, after interned in iguvium.

in illyrian war of 229 bc, 219 bc , 168 bc, rome overran illyrian settlements , suppressed piracy, had made adriatic sea unsafe region roman commerce. there 3 roman campaigns: first against teuta second against demetrius of pharos , third against gentius. first roman campaign of 229 bc marked first time roman navy crossed adriatic in order launch invasion.