Queen Teuta of Illyria ruled during the 3rd Century BCE from (231-227 BCE). She ruled over the Ardiaei tribe, one of the many furious tribes within Illyria. Her tribe, roughly located in what is now modern-day Albania, was most known for its conflicts in piracy with the Roman Empire during this time.
The Sica, 3rd Century BCE
The Sica is considered a hybrid of a single-edge sword and dagger. It is classified as either a short sword or a long dagger typically made from bronze or iron with a curved blade length of approximately 16 – 18 inches (41 – 46 centimeters). The Romans considered the Sica to be a very recognizable Illyrian melee weapon and according to historian John Wilkes, “Although a short curved sword was used by several peoples around the Mediterranean the Romans regarded the sica as a distinct Illyrian weapon used by the stealthy assassin”
Wilkes, John. The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe). New Jersey: Wiley Publications, 1996.
Illyrian Circular Shield, 3rd Century BCE
The Illyrian Circular Shield is an iron-plated shield typically decorated with circular patterns and designs around the outside iron plate. Not much is known about these shields besides the fact that the Illyrians took inspiration from the Greek Aspis shield. According to Jason Abdale in his book about Illyrians, “Some Illyrians in the south and along the Adriatic coastline carried large round shields that were very similar to the Greek Aspis, the large round shield carried by hoplites.” He also states that “Round Illyrian shields are commonly shown with designs of rings, dots, and sometimes a ‘sun wheel’ in the center.”
Abdale, R. Jason. The Great Illyrian Revolt: Rome's Forgotten War in the Balkans, AD 6–9. Pennsylvania: Casemate Publishers, 2019.
4th century BCE
Bronze cuirass (body armor), 4th century BCE, Greek, Apulian, Bronze, H. (front): 19 5/8 in. (49.8 cm) H. (back): 20 1/16 in. (51 cm), Gift of Estée Lauder Inc., 1992, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Bronze Cuirass is a protective piece of armor covering the torso region of the body. It surrounds the torso connecting the front and back plates in a 360-degree fashion. It was used as a protective combination of a chest and back plate put together. This piece of armor was commonly found in Ancient Greece.
Abdale, R. Jason. The Great Illyrian Revolt: Rome's Forgotten War in the Balkans, AD 6–9. Pennsylvania: Casemate Publishers, 2019.
Early 5th century BCE
Bronze helmet of Illyrian type, early 5th century BCE, Greek, Bronze, H. 8 11/16 in. (22 cm), Gift of Estée Lauder Inc., 1992, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Illyrian-Type Helmet is a helmet worn by Illyrian warriors. These helmets were typically made from bronze and had two small ridges running along the top. Scholars have drawn similarities to the Corinthian helmet of Ancient Greece however, the front facial portion of the helmet is much more open than the helmet of Corinth. Abdale explains, “It looks similar to the Corinthian helmet worn by Greek hoplites except that the Illyrian Helmet has an open squared face as opposed the nose guard, leaf-shaped eye holes and large cheek plates of the Greek helmets.”
Abdale, R. Jason. The Great Illyrian Revolt: Rome's Forgotten War in the Balkans, AD 6–9. Pennsylvania: Casemate Publishers, 2019.
CONTACT US:
Library Email: library@rmcad.edu | Student Learning Center Email: learning@rmcad.edu
