Grabus
Encyclopedia
Grabus was an Illyrian king of the Taulantii State. Grabus took an important part in the civil war of Durrës
in 437 BC
which sparked off the Pelopponesian War. He became an ally of Athens
at the time against Corinth. The existing conflict between the democrats and and the aristocrats who were aided by Grabus, was immediately projected onto the wider screen of the contradictions in in the Greek world, but in a manner that reflected economic interests more than political principles. Grabus was the son of Grabos
which clashed with Philip II
in 356 BC
.
The Taulantii State under Grabus was centered in the Myzeqe plain in present central Albania
which bordered the Greek colony of Durrës
. Durrës was governed by a tight oligarchy or aristocrats that appointed a ruling magistrate; tradesmen and craftsmen were excluded from power, until internal strife produced a more democratic government. In 437 BC, the aristocrats were banished by the democrats and sheltered in the state of Grabus, looking for his help. From the fear of the Taulantii State, Durrës firstly appealed to Corcyra which refused and then enlisted the help of Corinth
which accepted. The banished aristocrats and Grabus found support in democratic Corcyra and Grabus became an ally of Athens during that time when she was active in the area. In 435 BC
, the Corinthian fleet set out for Corcyra and Durrës, but in 433 BC it was destroyed by the Corcyrian fleet at Actium of Anactorium in the Battle of Sybota
. Meanwhile, the other part of the Corcyrian fleet broke the siege of Durrës, which Grabus had attacked and returned the aristocrats to the city. The surrender of the democrats enabled Grabus to have powerful economic control of the city.
The alliance that Grabus made with Corcyra strengthened the position of the Taulantii State and hence it begun to get actively involved in the affairs of the Greek colonies in Illyria
and of its neighbors, especially that of Macedonia
.
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
in 437 BC
437 BC
Year 437 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Macerinus and Fidenas...
which sparked off the Pelopponesian War. He became an ally of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
at the time against Corinth. The existing conflict between the democrats and and the aristocrats who were aided by Grabus, was immediately projected onto the wider screen of the contradictions in in the Greek world, but in a manner that reflected economic interests more than political principles. Grabus was the son of Grabos
Grabos
Grabos was an Illyrian king of the Grabaei State. Grabos also spelt Grabus, was the most powerful Illyrian king after the death of Bardyllis in 358 BC...
which clashed with Philip II
Philip II
-People:* Philip II of Macedon * Philip II Philoromaeus * Philip II of France * Philip II of Navarre * Philip II of Taranto * Philip II, Duke of Burgundy * Philip II, Duke of Savoy...
in 356 BC
356 BC
Year 356 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Ambustus and Laenas...
.
The Taulantii State under Grabus was centered in the Myzeqe plain in present central Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
which bordered the Greek colony of Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
. Durrës was governed by a tight oligarchy or aristocrats that appointed a ruling magistrate; tradesmen and craftsmen were excluded from power, until internal strife produced a more democratic government. In 437 BC, the aristocrats were banished by the democrats and sheltered in the state of Grabus, looking for his help. From the fear of the Taulantii State, Durrës firstly appealed to Corcyra which refused and then enlisted the help of Corinth
Corinth
Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
which accepted. The banished aristocrats and Grabus found support in democratic Corcyra and Grabus became an ally of Athens during that time when she was active in the area. In 435 BC
435 BC
Year 435 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the First year of the Consulship of Iullus and Tricostus...
, the Corinthian fleet set out for Corcyra and Durrës, but in 433 BC it was destroyed by the Corcyrian fleet at Actium of Anactorium in the Battle of Sybota
Battle of Sybota
The Battle of Sybota took place in 433 BC between Corcyra and Corinth, and was, according to Thucydides, the largest naval battle between Greek city states until that time. It was one of the immediate catalysts for the Peloponnesian War....
. Meanwhile, the other part of the Corcyrian fleet broke the siege of Durrës, which Grabus had attacked and returned the aristocrats to the city. The surrender of the democrats enabled Grabus to have powerful economic control of the city.
The alliance that Grabus made with Corcyra strengthened the position of the Taulantii State and hence it begun to get actively involved in the affairs of the Greek colonies in Illyria
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
and of its neighbors, especially that of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
.