Chapter III - The Illyrian Campaign (269 BC)
A. Causes
During 270 BC, the roman merchant shipping in the Adriatic Sea as well as the coastal population of Apulia got harassed by Pirates, who originated from the islands along the Illyrian coast. The Republic send an Emissary, Gaius Claudius Pulcher, to Illyria in order to negotiate a settlement with the Illyrian Kingdom to prevent further damage for the Republic.
Pulcher`s dialogue partner was King Mytilios Ardiaei. Mytilios rose to the throne in the year 280 BC, and in these 10 years his Kingdom was in constant decline due to the unfortunate nature of Mytilios` character. Contemporary Macedonian sources describe him as "not that bright" and haunted by resentment toward more skilled people. Additionally he was influenced by his wife Trieuta, an ailing but extremely intelligent person. A third individual, that is seen as the grey eminence today, was Gentius Plarid, the King`s chancellor.
In the year of his accession, Mytilios declared war on the newly founded realm of Tylis (probably his own idea), but his forces were instantaneously defeated and he had to agree to a shaming peace, that led to the loss of Taulanti. Since then, his policy was largely designed by either his wife or Gentius, who struggled for the most influence at court.
At the time that Claudius Pulcher arrived in Illyria, Gentius seemed to had the upper hand at court and the silent indulgence of the pirate`s presence in Illyrian territory probably ensued according to his instructions. The negotiations with Pulcher were short and unsuccessful. On his way back, Pulcher`s ship was attacked by Pirates, but due to superior seamanship the roman vessel could escape. In the aftermath, the Senate decided to declare war on Illyria.
B. Progress
In order to execute the operation, the Republic created the Legio III
(5). Legate became once again Quintus Aemilius Papus. He marched with his army of probably about 15.000 men to Apulia and was ferried to the Illyrian coast by the roman fleet
(6) under the command of Lucius Aemilius Barbula in early 269 BC.
Illyria was completely unprepared for a war. The Illyrian navy didn`t exist and the small army was busy securing the northern border against the Iazyges, who were pushing into Illyria.
Fig. 2: The Illyrian Kingdom in 270 BC
Quintus Aemilius` first target was the city of Delmion in the province of Dalmatae, that surrendered after only two months of siege. Aemilius wasted no time and marched onward to Scodra, the Illyrian capital, without facing any resistance. After another two months, the city was taken by storm.
After a campaign of less than six months with negligible casualties and another two provinces incorporated into the Republic, the war was over and Quintus Aemilius Papus was finally granted a Triumph
(7) at the age of 57 years.
C. Result
The Illyrian War was a stunning display of Rome`s capability to successfully improvise a campaign and quickly react to pressing issues. But historians still debate, if the campaign was really improvised due to the piracy in the Adriatic Sea and the assault on Pulcher`s ship, or if it had been the execution of a well-prepared plan, with the official version being an exaggeration of actual events.
Both theories have pros and cons. Fact is, that Rome gained access to the Dalmatian iron deposits as well as to Scodra, that was well known for its horse breeding. In the following years, the status of the Cavalry within the roman army improved from "almost non-existent" to "important support troop".
The second result was, that Rome gained a base on the Balkans, thus raising awareness within the Hellenic world for Rome`s rising power.
Finally, this Campaign had a footnote. Shortly before Scodra fell, King Mytilios and his wife fled and went into exile to the Macedon court, where King Ptolemy Keraunos welcomed them. Rome abstained to request an extradition. Some interpreted this as a sign of mercy. Others as a sign of arrogance, since the message could be read as "We are that powerful, we can spare our enemies"
(8).
(5) In 270 BC, Umbria was the base for the Legio II Adiutrix. Since the Republic couldn`t recruit a new Legion at once, it split up the Legio II, with the larger part being the new Legio III Illyricorum.
(6) Although there is no contemporary report about the state of the roman navy in 269 BC, it is revealing, that it was obviously able to transport an army of 15.000 soldiers and support the following operations without getting disturbed by Pirates.
(7) Originally he should have been granted a Triumph for his accomplishments during the Pyrrhic War, but it was cancelled due to allegations of embezzlement. And after his Triumph he was again dismissed from his command and the Legio III assigned to Lucius Postumius Metellus, the first Governor of Dalmatia.
(8) The Republic showed no mercy toward Gentius Plarid. He was caught and presented to the roman people at Quintus Aemilius` triumphal procession, where he got publicly strangled.