Bardyllis
| Bardylis | |
|---|---|
| King | |
.svg) |
|
| Reign | 393 BC - 358 BC |
| Successor | Cleitus the Illyrian |
| Born | c. 448 BC |
| Died | c. 358 BC (aged 90) Erigon Valley |
| Ancient Greek | Βάρδυλις |
Bardylis (/bɑːrˈdɪlᵻs/; Ancient Greek: Βάρδυλις c. 448–c. 358 BC) was a king of the Dardanian Kingdom and probably its founder.
During his reign, Bardylis was able to make the Dardanians one of the most powerful Illyrian states of that time. His state reigned over Upper Macedonia and Lynkestis. He also led raids against Epirus but his troops were quickly expelled from that region.
According to ancient sources, Bardylis lived to over 90 years implying that he died around 358 BC. According to these sources, Bardylis lived a long time and was at an advanced age when he faced Philip II of Macedon.
Bardylis's background was as a coal burner and miner. He gained power by force and gained the support and loyalty of the Dardanian warriors. Under his leadership the Dardanians defeated the Macedonians and Molossians several times. The Dardanians became strong enough to rule Macedonia through a puppet king in 392-391 BC. In 385-384 BC they allied with Dionysius I of Syracuse to defeat the Molossians in a battle, killing up to 15,000 Molossian soldiers and ruling their territory for a short period. Their continuous invasions forced the Macedonian king, Amyntas III, to pay them tribute in 372 BC. They returned to raiding the Molossians in 360 BC. In 359 BC Bardylis won a decisive battle against Macedonian king Perdiccas III, who he killed himself, while 4,000 Macedonian soldiers fell, and the cities of upper Macedonia were occupied.
Bardylis was killed in a battle against Philip II of Macedon in 358 BC after Philip rejected his offer of peace based on Bardylis retaining conquered lands.Grabos became the most powerful Illyrian king after Bardylis's death.
Bardylis had a son named Cleitus, a daughter named Bircenna, and a grandson named Bardylis II. The daughter of Bardylis II, princess Bircenna, married the Molossian king Pyrrhus of Epirus (ca. 290 BC).
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