The Roman Conquest of Illyricum (Dalmatia and Pannonia) and the Problem of the Northeastern Border of Italy

Abstract

The article is a summarized overview of the Roman conquest of Illyria, later known as the Roman province of Illyricum, the predecessor of Dalmatia and Pannonia. ¬Three Illyrian wars and the defeat of the two Illyrian kingdoms (Agron and Teuta, Demetrius of Pharos, and Genthius) led to the establishment of Roman Illyria, which increased with further Roman conquests. After the foundation of Aquileia in 181 BC, the Romans began to penetrate the northern Adriatic and southeastern Alpine area, gradually extending their sway in the direction of Pannonia; an important milestone in the history of Illyricum was Octavian’s Illyrian war. Particular attention is paid to the northeastern boundary of Italy (formerly Cisalpine Gaul), which bordered on Illyricum to the east of Emona.