Military historical events have been largely dominated by men. These men shaped the world with their massive conquest, exceptional leadership, and overwhelming charisma. However, some exceptional women, through their strong force of character and personal power, have managed to break this monopoly and leave an indelible mark on the military history of the world.
One of these fascinating and strong women is Queen Teuta of Illyria. After her husband’s death, she ruled between 231 and 227. She maintained an aggressive foreign policy and significantly expanded the Ardiaean kingdom’s influence in the region. Although she was eventually defeated by the Roman Republic, Teuta is still celebrated as a hero in the region today.
Illyria Before Queen Teuta’s Rise to Power
Before Queen Teuta’s Rise to power, she was married to King Agron of the Ardiaean Kingdom. Agron was a strong, ambitious and aggressive king who sought to unify the entire Illyrian region under his leadership.
Argon started his campaign in southern Illyria, which was, at this time, under the direct control of the Greek city of Epirus. Using a strategic combination of piracy and land battles, Argon broke the monopoly of the Greek state and established his own empire in the region.
In 231, Argon defeated the Aetolians, another Greek state known for its military prowess. Argon’s victory over the Aetolians caused a sensation in Illyria and cemented the position of the Ardiean kingdom as a regional superpower.
Agron’s reign lasted for more than 15 years, and it was marked by aggressive expansion and an intensification of Illyrian piracy. He encouraged his naval commanders to assert control over maritime routes and demanded taxes on every merchant ship sailing over the Adriatic Sea. This piracy was both economically strategic and a means to fund his military campaigns, making Illyria a feared naval power.
In the winter of 231 BC, King Argon died from what is now believed to be an acute attack of pleurisy. His sudden death, however, left a power vacuum that would challenge the stability Argon has managed to establish in Illyria.
Upon Agron’s death, Teuta assumed the throne as regent for her stepson Pinnes. She sought to continue Agron’s policies, particularly his support for piracy.
Queen Teuta’s Campaigns
Queen Teuta was even more aggressive than her husband in her foreign policies. She took her husband’s support for piracy a little further by ordering her naval commanders to treat the ships from all neighbouring states as enemies and attack them without mercy.
Teuta also ordered the attack of Elis and Messenia, two ancient Greek regions in the Peloponnese that bordered each other. The cities fell with relative ease, and thousands of people were taken prisoner.
Later, Teuta launched an attack on the city of Phoenice, which was under the direct control of the Epirus. Phoenice served as a commercial centre, and it was one of the most prosperous cities in the region. When it fell, it was looted so much that the trade in the region was destabilized.
Teuta also had to deal with several local rebellions of chieftains who did not support her rule.
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Queen Teuta’s Conflict With the Roman Republic
The intensification of piracy on the Adriatic Sea and the looting of Phoenice severely impacted the trade of other neighbouring states in the region. Around 230 BCE, the relatively newly formed Roman Republic despatched two ambassadors to Teuta. The ambassador’s orders were to request an end to the insistent piracy and to demand reparations for the goods already looted by Illyrian pirates.
Although Teuta assured the ambassadors that their ships would not be attacked on their way back, she promptly stated that piracy was an ancient tradition of the Illyrian people and that it was not the place of an Illyrian leader to prevent her subjects from taking booty from the sea.
As the Roman ambassadors sailed back to Rome, they were attacked by Illyrian pirate ships. Some were taken as prisoners, while others were murdered. It is generally believed that Queen Teuta ordered this attack as revenge for the disrespect of the Roman ambassadors.
When news reached Rome, the Roman senate immediately declared war on Illyria. 20,000 legionaries, 200 calvary, and the entire Roman fleet were prepared and put under the command of Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus and Lucius Postumius Albinus.
Queen Teuta’s Defeat and Surrender
The Roman expedition against Illyria caught Queen Teuta by surprise as she had sent out her formidable ships away on campaign. The Roman ships were able to land in Illyria with Little resistance; they immediately started conquering city after city. To make matters worse, Demetrius, one of Teuta’s top military commanders, betrayed her and joined the Romans in their campaign.
With the traitor’s help, the Romans advanced rapidly, and in a few months, they were already at the gates of Scondra, the Illyrian capital. Despite her dogged resistance, Teuta realized that the war was unwinnable. She retreated to the more easily defended region of Rhizon.
Teuta was eventually surrendered and was forced to sign a peace treaty with the Romans. She gave up most of her territory and agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Roman Empire. She also agreed not to get involved in any form of piracy in the region.
How did Queen Teuta Die?
According to Legend, Queen Teuta retained her popularity and power in the region even after her defeat. It was also rumoured that she was planning to break her treaty and reconquer the region.
The Romans feared her growing influence, and they sent another force to capture her. Instead of surrendering herself, Teuta took her own life by jumping from the Orjen mountains at Lipci.
What is the Treasure of Queen Teuta?
According to legends, before Queen Teuta died, she buried more than 6,000 pounds of gold, silver, jewellery, and precious Greek artefacts that her pirate commanders had acquired for her. She is said to have buried these treasures on a remote Island where the invading Roman forces could never find them.
Despite numerous archaeological efforts, no confirmed discovery of Teuta’s treasure has been made, though occasional findings of ancient coins and Illyrian artefacts hint at the riches that once supported her kingdom.
For modern explorers and treasure hunters, the allure of Queen Teuta’s lost wealth continues to captivate. It also serves as evidence of wealth in ancient Illyria.
Are the Stories True?
Skepticism surrounding Roman accounts of Queen Teuta arises from the inherent biases and political motives in Roman historical writings. Most information about Teuta comes from Roman historians like Polybius and Livy. These historians were distant from Illyrian culture and aligned with Rome’s imperial agenda. Since Rome sought to justify its expansion and military campaigns, their portrayal of Teuta often emphasizes her as a “pirate queen” and paints her rule as violent and lawless, fitting a narrative that cast her as a barbarian threat to civilization.
The Romans were also keen on justifying their actions in the Illyrian Wars. By framing Teuta as reckless and antagonistic, they could morally justify their invasions and conquest of Illyria. This portrayal demonized Teuta and portrayed Rome as a stabilizing force despite Rome’s ambitions for regional dominance.
Furthermore, the lack of Illyrian records makes it difficult to verify Roman accounts. The Illyrians relied more on oral traditions than written records, leaving us with a one-sided perspective of Teuta’s rule. This limited, politically slanted view prompts modern historians to question how much of Rome’s depiction was accurate versus propagandistic.