Illyrian invasion of Epirus

Invasion of Molossia
Date 385 BC Location Epirus Result Illyrian victory Alcetas restoration as King of Molossians Illyrian forces withdrew after Spartan intervention
Belligerents
Illyrians	Molossians
Supported by: Syracusans	Supported by: Thessalians Macedonians Spartans
Commanders and leaders
Illyrian king (most likely Bardylis) Dionysius I Alcetas I	Pro-Spartan Molossian dynast Agesilaus II
Strength
unknown number of Illyrians 2,000 Syracuse soldiers	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	15,000 Molossians

The Illyrian invasion of Molossians in Epirus occurred in 385 BC. Illyrians, led most likely by king Bardylis, were supported by Dionysius I of Syracuse who was aming to expand his influence in the eastern Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, and by Alcetas I of Epirus who was expelled from his land by the Molossian pro-Spartan party and exiled in Syracuse.

History

In 385 BC, Alcetas of Epirus was a refugee in Syracuse for unknown reasons. Leader of Syracuse, Dionysius, wanted a friendly monarch in Epirus, so he sent 2,000 Greek hoplites and 500 suits of Greek armor to help the Illyrians, who at that time were led by king Bardyllis, to Molossians in Epirus. Attackers killed about 15,000 Molossian warriors. Alcetas was restored to the throne, but Illyrians didn't stop there. They continued pillaging throughout Epirus and Greece. Dionysius joined them in an attempt to plunder the temple of Delphi. Then, Sparta, supported by Thessaly and Macedonians, intervened under Agesilaus, and expelled the Illyrians and Syracuse warriors.

See also

• Illyrian warfare

Bibliography

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