Teuta Of Illyria

Short Biography

Queen Teuta (Albanian: Mbretnesha Teutë or Teuta; ruled 230–228 BC) was an Illyrian queen of the Ardiaean Kingdom who ruled as a regent to the young Pinnes. Teuta inherited the strong Illyrian state from her husband, Agron and with her command Illyrian success continued until Roman intervention. Teuta probably under pressure from Illyrian revolts attacked Epius, captured many cities including the prosperous capital Phoenice and gained many profits. The Epirotes signified their acceptance of the Illyrian victory by sending envoys to Teuta promising cooperation with them and hostility towards the Leagues.Teuta continued her campaigns against the Greek colonies along the Illyrian coast. This led to the rupturing of trade routes of the Roman Republic. The Romans quickly felt threatened at the growing power of Teuta, thus starting the First Illyrian War. The war caught Teuta off guard. The Queen managed to annex land from the Greeks in the Ionian but these were easily taken by the Roman which eventually crushed the Ardiaean State.Teuta was forced to surrender and accept a crushing treaty in which he Ardiaean State lost its southern lands.