Longarus
Encyclopedia
Longarus was an Illyria
n king of the Dardanian Kingdom. Longarus was at war with various Macedonian kings and managed to conquer at different times part of Macedonia. Longarus was an ally of the Paeonian State and liberated the Paeonians in order to open the routes towards Macedonia. Longarus' influence grew and many other Illyrians from the Ardiaean Kingdom joined thim.
From the Gallic invasions of Dardani
a, the Dardanians are not heard of for four decades; probably trying to extinguish the consequences the Celts had left behind. During this time the Dardanian State grew stronger and extended its borders in the south and in the north. During the second half of the 3rd century BC, the Illyrian-Macedonian Wars continue because of the conquering politics of the Macedonian kings against the Dardanian particularly against Paeonia
. The Paeonians have continually rebelled against the Macedonians and entered into anti-Macedonian alliances for independence. An old alliance rather than an competitiveness had existed between these two Illyrian states, because every time the Paeonians won their independence, the Dardanians had the road open for Macedonia. Even before Longarus, Dardanians had been a constant threat to the Macedonian kingdom, while in 231 BC under Longarus they captured the Paeonian capital, Bylazora
and freed the Paeonians and in an important battle in 229 BC
, logarus attacked and defeated the Macedonian forces under Demetrius II of Macedon
, disapproving of his attempts to extend Macedons northern borders. The Macedonians were forced to attck Longarus with large forces. In this period Longarus made attempts to strengthen his states position in the heart of the Balkans
against neighboring peoples. In 229 BC Longarus, profiting from the fact that the Ardiaean Kingdom under Teuta was dealing with campaigns in Epirus
, invaded it's northern borders. Longarus' influence on the region grew stronger and some other Illyrian tribes from the Ardiaean Kingdom joined the Dardanians under Longarus, forcing Teuta to call off her expedition forces in Epirus. Scerdilaidas
was sent up north to force Longarus' army to return to Dardania.
Antigonus Doson, claimed a victory over Longarus, after the death of Demetrius. Part of the Paeonian State was annexed to Macedonia and Antigoneia was founded on the river Axius
, the main invasion route from the north. The Dardanians were driven out of all the lands they conquered from Demetrius II and the city of Bylazora was garrisoned. While Doson was dealing with a war in Greece
in 222 BC, he hastened back home within a few days when news came that Longarus had invaded and that his forces were looting his kingdom. Doson found the Dardanians still in the country and forced them to do battle, which he won but he so over-exerted himself in shouting encouragement to his troops that he burst a blood-vessel and fell fatally ill.
Longarus despised the youth of Philip V
and constantly provoked him. Longarus did not agree with the situation created in of Paeonia or Macedonia's claim to it. When Philip V
rose to the Macedonian throne skirmishing with Dardanians began in 220-219 BC. In 219 BC when Philip was in the Peloponnese, Longarus freed Paeonia and their capital, Bylazora
but Philip managed to capture Bylazora
from them in 217 BC
. The capture of Bylazora would appear to have brought a swift end to the threat posed by Logarus but that did not happen. Philip managed to conquer the Dardanian city of Sintia, somewhere south-eat of Skopje
, in 211 BC and the northern area of Pelagonia. A force of Dardanians under Aeropus
, probably a pretender to the Macedonian throne, captured Lychnidus. While Aeropus' military incursion was limited and satisfied with Lychnidus, in 208 BC Longarus attacked upper Macedonia, occupying the region of Orestida
, taking 20,000 prisoner, and reaching the plain of Argestes. This was done when Longarus allied himself with the enemies of Macedonia, Rome
, Scerdilaidas
and Epirus
. In 206 BC Philip continued the war between Longarus in order to drive them from the Dardanian occupied areas.
Longarus succeeded in making the Dardanian State in a military power that threatened Macedonia. It was up to his two sons, Bato of Dardania
and Monunius of Dardania
in following in his footsteps. Longarus was succeeded by Bato somewhere around 206 BC.
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
n king of the Dardanian Kingdom. Longarus was at war with various Macedonian kings and managed to conquer at different times part of Macedonia. Longarus was an ally of the Paeonian State and liberated the Paeonians in order to open the routes towards Macedonia. Longarus' influence grew and many other Illyrians from the Ardiaean Kingdom joined thim.
From the Gallic invasions of Dardani
Dardani
Dardania was the region of the Dardani .Located at the Thraco-Illyrian contact zone, their identification as either an Illyrian or Thracian tribe is uncertain. Their territory itself was not considered part of Illyria by Strabo. The term used for their territory was , while for other tribes had...
a, the Dardanians are not heard of for four decades; probably trying to extinguish the consequences the Celts had left behind. During this time the Dardanian State grew stronger and extended its borders in the south and in the north. During the second half of the 3rd century BC, the Illyrian-Macedonian Wars continue because of the conquering politics of the Macedonian kings against the Dardanian particularly against Paeonia
Paeonia
Paeonia or Paionia may refer to:*the generic name of the peony*the ancient tribe and kingdom of Paeonia , in today's northern Greece and the Republic of Macedonia*Paionia , a municipality in northern Greece...
. The Paeonians have continually rebelled against the Macedonians and entered into anti-Macedonian alliances for independence. An old alliance rather than an competitiveness had existed between these two Illyrian states, because every time the Paeonians won their independence, the Dardanians had the road open for Macedonia. Even before Longarus, Dardanians had been a constant threat to the Macedonian kingdom, while in 231 BC under Longarus they captured the Paeonian capital, Bylazora
Bylazora
Bylazora or Vilazora is a Paeonian city that was located on the Axius River at Veles in the Republic of Macedonia. Polybius tells us that "King Philip V captured Bylazora, the largest town of Paeonia, and very favourably situated for commanding the pass from Dardania to Macedonia: so that by this...
and freed the Paeonians and in an important battle in 229 BC
229 BC
Year 229 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Albinus and Centumalus...
, logarus attacked and defeated the Macedonian forces under Demetrius II of Macedon
Demetrius II of Macedon
Demetrius II Aetolicus son of Antigonus Gonatas and Phila, reigned as king of Macedonia from the winter of 239 to 229 BC. He belonged to the Antigonid dynasty and was born in 275 BC. There is a possibility that his father had already elevated to him to position of power equal to his own before his...
, disapproving of his attempts to extend Macedons northern borders. The Macedonians were forced to attck Longarus with large forces. In this period Longarus made attempts to strengthen his states position in the heart of the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
against neighboring peoples. In 229 BC Longarus, profiting from the fact that the Ardiaean Kingdom under Teuta was dealing with campaigns in Epirus
Epirus (ancient state)
Epirus was an ancient Greek state, located in the geographical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans. The homeland of the ancient Epirotes was bordered by the Aetolian League to the south, Thessalia and Macedonia to the east and Illyrian tribes to the north...
, invaded it's northern borders. Longarus' influence on the region grew stronger and some other Illyrian tribes from the Ardiaean Kingdom joined the Dardanians under Longarus, forcing Teuta to call off her expedition forces in Epirus. Scerdilaidas
Scerdilaidas
Scerdilaidas was an Illyrian king of the Ardiaean Kingdom. Before taking the throne Scerdilaidas was commander of the Illyrian armies and played a major role in the Illyrian Wars against the Romans....
was sent up north to force Longarus' army to return to Dardania.
Antigonus Doson, claimed a victory over Longarus, after the death of Demetrius. Part of the Paeonian State was annexed to Macedonia and Antigoneia was founded on the river Axius
Axius
Axius is a genus of mud lobster, containing the following species:*Axius armatus S. I. Smith, 1881*Axius serratus Stimpson, 1852*Axius stirynchus Leach, 1815*Axius werribee...
, the main invasion route from the north. The Dardanians were driven out of all the lands they conquered from Demetrius II and the city of Bylazora was garrisoned. While Doson was dealing with a war in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 222 BC, he hastened back home within a few days when news came that Longarus had invaded and that his forces were looting his kingdom. Doson found the Dardanians still in the country and forced them to do battle, which he won but he so over-exerted himself in shouting encouragement to his troops that he burst a blood-vessel and fell fatally ill.
Longarus despised the youth of Philip V
Philip V
Philip V may refer to:* Philip V of Macedon * Philip V of France * Philip II of Spain, also Philip V, Duke of Burgundy * Philip V of Spain...
and constantly provoked him. Longarus did not agree with the situation created in of Paeonia or Macedonia's claim to it. When Philip V
Philip V of Macedon
Philip V was King of Macedon from 221 BC to 179 BC. Philip's reign was principally marked by an unsuccessful struggle with the emerging power of Rome. Philip was attractive and charismatic as a young man...
rose to the Macedonian throne skirmishing with Dardanians began in 220-219 BC. In 219 BC when Philip was in the Peloponnese, Longarus freed Paeonia and their capital, Bylazora
Bylazora
Bylazora or Vilazora is a Paeonian city that was located on the Axius River at Veles in the Republic of Macedonia. Polybius tells us that "King Philip V captured Bylazora, the largest town of Paeonia, and very favourably situated for commanding the pass from Dardania to Macedonia: so that by this...
but Philip managed to capture Bylazora
Bylazora
Bylazora or Vilazora is a Paeonian city that was located on the Axius River at Veles in the Republic of Macedonia. Polybius tells us that "King Philip V captured Bylazora, the largest town of Paeonia, and very favourably situated for commanding the pass from Dardania to Macedonia: so that by this...
from them in 217 BC
217 BC
Year 217 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Geminus and Flaminius/Regulus...
. The capture of Bylazora would appear to have brought a swift end to the threat posed by Logarus but that did not happen. Philip managed to conquer the Dardanian city of Sintia, somewhere south-eat of Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
, in 211 BC and the northern area of Pelagonia. A force of Dardanians under Aeropus
Aeropus
Aeropus may refer to:*Aeropus, brother of Perdiccas I, who was the first king of Macedonia of the family of Temenus*Aeropus I of Macedon, King of Macedon, 602 BC–576 BC*Aeropus II of Macedon, King of Macedon, 399 BC–393 BC...
, probably a pretender to the Macedonian throne, captured Lychnidus. While Aeropus' military incursion was limited and satisfied with Lychnidus, in 208 BC Longarus attacked upper Macedonia, occupying the region of Orestida
Orestida
Orestida is a municipality in the Kastoria peripheral unit, Greece. The seat of the municipality is in Argos Orestiko.The town of Argos Orestiko hosts the celebration of the ascension of the Holy Cross, in September...
, taking 20,000 prisoner, and reaching the plain of Argestes. This was done when Longarus allied himself with the enemies of Macedonia, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Scerdilaidas
Scerdilaidas
Scerdilaidas was an Illyrian king of the Ardiaean Kingdom. Before taking the throne Scerdilaidas was commander of the Illyrian armies and played a major role in the Illyrian Wars against the Romans....
and Epirus
Epirus (ancient state)
Epirus was an ancient Greek state, located in the geographical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans. The homeland of the ancient Epirotes was bordered by the Aetolian League to the south, Thessalia and Macedonia to the east and Illyrian tribes to the north...
. In 206 BC Philip continued the war between Longarus in order to drive them from the Dardanian occupied areas.
Longarus succeeded in making the Dardanian State in a military power that threatened Macedonia. It was up to his two sons, Bato of Dardania
Bato of Dardania
For other uses, see BatoBato was an Illyrian king of the Dardanian State. Bato was the son of Longarus whom he succeeded and the brother of Monunius of Dardania who ruled after him. Bato fought alongside the Romans against Macedon during the Second Macedonian War. Bato is known for using advanced...
and Monunius of Dardania
Monunius of Dardania
Monunius was an Illyrian king of the Dardanian State who lived in the late 3rd century BC and early 2nd century BC. Monunius attested first in 176 BC was the son of Longarus, a Dardanian king who caused much trouble to Macedonia from 230 BC onwards. He succeeded his brother Bato to the Dardanian...
in following in his footsteps. Longarus was succeeded by Bato somewhere around 206 BC.
External links
- The Illyrians by J. J. Wilkes, 1992, ISBN 0-631-19807-5
- The Illyrians to the Albanians by Neritan CekaNeritan CekaNeritan Ceka is an Albanian archaeologist and Professor of Archaeology. He has actively participated in politics since 1991 and was a presidential candidate and is now leader of the Democratic Alliance Party....
, 2005 - [ftp://eremita.di.uminho.pt/pub/gutenberg/1/2/5/8/12582/12582-h/12582-h.htm#book31 Titus Livius - THE HISTORY OF ROME, Book XXXI]