Agron of Illyria
| Agron | |
|---|---|
| King (rex) | |
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|
| Reign | 250–231 BC |
| Predecessor | Pleuratus II |
| Successor | Teuta (de facto), as regent of Pinnes (de jure) |
| Died | 231 BC Illyria |
| Consort | Teuta, Triteuta |
| Issue | Pinnes |
| Ancient Greek | Ἄγρων |
Agron (/ˈæɡrən, ˈæɡˌrɒn/; Ancient Greek: Ἄγρων) was the king of the Ardiaean Kingdom in c. 250–231 BC. The son of Pleuratus II, Agron succeeded in extending Illyrian rule over many peoples and cities in the Adriatic region. He is most famed for his decisive victory over the Aetolian League, a state in western Greece.
Around 231 BC, Agron suddenly died after his triumph over the Aetolians. Pinnes, his son with his first wife Triteuta, officially succeeded his father as king in 231 BC, but the kingdom was ruled by Agron's second wife, Queen Teuta.
Agron was mentioned by two Greek historians, Appian (95–165 AD) in his Foreign Wars and Polybius (203–120 BC) in his Histories. Polybius wrote of him as "Agron, king of the Illyrians, was the son of Pleuratus, and possessed the most powerful force, both by land and sea, of any of the kings who had reigned in Illyria before him."
Agron extended his rule over other neighboring tribes as well. He annexed part of Epirus, Epidamnus, and the islands of Corfu (Korkyra) and (Hvar) Pharos, and garrisoned in them. His state stretched from Narona in Dalmatia south to the river Aoos and Korkyra. During his reign, the Ardiaean state reached the height of its power. The Ardiaean army and fleet made it a major regional power in the Balkans and the southern Adriatic. Agron gained control of the Adriatic with his warships (lembi), a domination once enjoyed by the Liburnians. None of his neighbors were nearly as powerful. Agron gave the city of Pharos to Demetrius of Pharos to rule as its governor.
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