33 - Central Illyria and the Issa Civil War (256)
After securing the southern tip of Illyria, Rome focused on advancing along the coast northward again. During the Campaign of 259/258, it had seized Delminium, which had belonged to the Illyrian people of the Issa.
At that time, and still in 256, the Issa were divided in two factions. Agathon Sosiklid had been the ruler of the Issa, but for unknown reasons another Faction had risen against his rule. The latter controlled the largest part of the territories and after losing Delminium, Agathon had retreated to his last holding, the island of Vis.
It is fair to assume, that Rome took advantage of the situation beyond its borders and moved units of maybe 10.000 troops northward along the coast in early 256. According to Florus, they faced no opposition as they advanced through a landscape devastated by years of raids performed by the opposing sides. It is impossible to say, whether this depiction is true or merely a justification for Rome`s aggressive move, that can be read as Rome restoring order in a chaotic situation.
After a Campaign of maybe half a year, the territory of the Issa, with the exception of Vis, had been occupied and Rome controlled the central Illyrian coast.
After securing the southern tip of Illyria, Rome focused on advancing along the coast northward again. During the Campaign of 259/258, it had seized Delminium, which had belonged to the Illyrian people of the Issa.
At that time, and still in 256, the Issa were divided in two factions. Agathon Sosiklid had been the ruler of the Issa, but for unknown reasons another Faction had risen against his rule. The latter controlled the largest part of the territories and after losing Delminium, Agathon had retreated to his last holding, the island of Vis.
It is fair to assume, that Rome took advantage of the situation beyond its borders and moved units of maybe 10.000 troops northward along the coast in early 256. According to Florus, they faced no opposition as they advanced through a landscape devastated by years of raids performed by the opposing sides. It is impossible to say, whether this depiction is true or merely a justification for Rome`s aggressive move, that can be read as Rome restoring order in a chaotic situation.
After a Campaign of maybe half a year, the territory of the Issa, with the exception of Vis, had been occupied and Rome controlled the central Illyrian coast.