Illyrian invasion of Epirus
Illyrian invasion against the Molossians (385 BC)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An Illyrian invasion against the Molossians in Epirus occurred in 385 BC. Illyrians, led by king Bardylis,[3] were supported by Dionysius I of Syracuse who was aiming to expand his influence in the eastern Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, and by Alcetas I of Epirus who was expelled from his land by the Molossian pro-Spartan party and exiled in Syracuse.[4]
| Illyrian invasion of Epirus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Illyrians | Molossians | ||||||
|
Supported by: Syracusans |
Supported by: Thessalians Macedonians Spartans | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Illyrian king Bardylis Dionysius I Alcetas I |
Pro-Spartan Molossian dynast Agesilaus II | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
Unknown number of Illyrians 2,000 Syracusan soldiers | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | 15,000 Molossians killed | ||||||
History
In 385 BC, Alcetas of Epirus was a refugee in Syracuse for unknown reasons. The tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius, wanted a friendly monarch in Epirus, so he sent 2,000 Greek hoplites and 500 suits of Greek armour to help the Illyrians, who at that time were led by king Bardylis, for their battles with the Molossians in Epirus. Attackers killed about 15,000 Molossians.[5] Alcetas was restored to the throne, but the Illyrians didn't stop there. They continued pillaging throughout Epirus and parts of Greece. Dionysius joined them in an attempt to plunder the temple of Delphi. Then, Sparta, supported by Thessaly and Macedonians, intervened under Agesilaus, and expelled the Illyrians and the Syracusan warriors.[6]
