Bardyllis - Subjection of Epirus

Subjection of Epirus

In 385 BC, the Illyrians formed an alliance with the powerful tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse. The purpose of the agreement was the restoration of the throne to the Molossian Alcetas who had remained as a refugee on his throne. Both sides were interested, this alliance would secure Illyrian power and weaken the impact of the Spartans and Macedonians consequently in Epirus. This would also give Dionysius an opportunity to strengthen trade positions on the shores of the Adriatic and Ionian.

Dionysius sent a military aid of 2, 000 men and 5,000 weapons to the Illyrians who were prepared to go to war. With these new supplies, Bardyllis and his army burst into Epirus and slaughtered 15,000 Molossians. At this point Bardyllis had extended the borders of the Dardanian State as far south as the Ionian. This military aid was soon wasted after Sparta intervened and expelled the Illyrians who were led by Bardyllis. Despite being aided by 2000 Greek hoplites and five hundred suits of Greek armour, the Illyrians were defeated by the Spartans led by Agesilaus, but not before ravaging the region and killing 15,000 Molossians. Bardyllis' short rule over Epirus of northern Greece was over.

In 360 BC, another Illyrian attack forced the Molossian king Arymbas to evacuate his non-combatant population to Aetolia and let the Illyrians loot freely. The stratagem worked and the Molossians fell upon the Illyrians who were encumbered with booty and defeated them. In the same year Arymbas of the Molossians defeated the Illyrians after they raided and looted Epirus.

This policy explains the events that followed with Bardyllis's western neighbors. Apparently, the alliance with Dionysius had been a healthy support in the fight against Epirus and creating external allies.