Illyrian Defense

MILITARY: ILLYRIAN DEFENSE

The Illyrian military consisted mostly of infantrymen and although it has been argued that the Illyrian infantry was never numerous, it is important to note that in 280 BC King Monunius offered the king of Macedon 20,000 troops to defend his kingdom from a Celtic invasion.

It is hardly conceivable that King Monunius would have risked the defense of his kingdom, by the offer of 20,000 troops, if he had not a large army.

Through archaeology, it is known that the Illyrians used many weapons and excavations have produced swords, javelins, battle-axes, bows and arrows as well as battle knives. When it came to defenses, the Illyrian military equipped itself with wooded and leather shields that were embossed with metal. Their defenses also included breastplates, helmets and leg protection, but those were probably reserved for the military elite.

It is also important to note that the geographical location of Illyria, deeply wooded and mountainous, made them difficult to conquer. However, because they could be easily surprised or engage in battles hastily the Illyrians often fled there positions. Thucydides wrote that fight or flight was 'equally honorable' for them.