# Teuta of Illyria

> queen regent of the Ardiaei tribe in Illyria

**Wikidata**: [Q237381](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237381)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teuta)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/teuta-of-illyria

## Summary
Teuta of Illyria was a queen regent of the Ardiaei tribe in ancient Illyria, known for her leadership during the First Illyrian War against the Roman Republic. As a ruler in her own right, she played a pivotal role in resisting Roman expansion into the Balkans during the 3rd century BCE.

## Biography
- **Born**: [Date unknown]  
- **Nationality**: Illyrian  
- **Known for**: Reign as queen regent and military resistance against Rome  
- **Field(s)**: Governance, military leadership  

## Contributions
- Led the Ardiaei tribe during the **First Illyrian War (229–228 BCE)**, a conflict sparked by Illyrian piracy and territorial disputes with Roman allies.  
- Her military campaigns prompted a Roman expedition under Quintus Fabius Maximus, resulting in a peace treaty that reduced Illyrian power but maintained Ardiaei autonomy.  

## FAQs
- **What tribe did Teuta rule?**  
  She was queen regent of the Ardiaei, a prominent Illyrian tribe in the western Balkans.  
- **What was her relationship with Rome?**  
  Her support for piracy and attacks on Roman allies led to direct conflict with the Roman Republic, culminating in the First Illyrian War.  
- **How did her reign end?**  
  After the war, she was succeeded by Demetrius of Pharos, who ruled as a Roman client king.  

## Why They Matter
Teuta’s resistance marked one of the earliest confrontations between Illyrian tribes and Roman authority, shaping the trajectory of Roman expansion into the Balkans. Her reign is documented by historians like Polybius, highlighting her role in Mediterranean geopolitics. Without her leadership, the timing and nature of Roman intervention in the region might have differed, altering the balance of power in the Adriatic.

## Notable For
- First documented queen regent of the Ardiaei tribe.  
- Central figure in the First Illyrian War, a critical event in Roman-Illyrian relations.  
- Mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman historical accounts, including Polybius’ *Histories*.  
- Succeeded by Demetrius of Pharos after the conflict.  

## Body
### Early Life and Reign  
Teuta (aliases: Teutana, Teuca Illirica) became queen regent of the Ardiaei following the death of her husband, King Agron, around 231 BCE. As a **queen regnant**, she ruled in her own right, overseeing a powerful maritime state known for its naval prowess and control of trade routes in the Adriatic.  

### Conflict with Rome  
Her reign was defined by the **First Illyrian War (229–228 BCE)**, triggered by Illyrian attacks on Roman allies like Issa and Epidaurum. Teuta’s forces besieged cities and harassed shipping, prompting a Roman naval and land campaign. The war ended with a peace treaty that forced the Ardiaei to surrender key territories and restrict their naval activities, though they retained independence under Roman oversight.  

### Legacy  
Teuta’s resistance is noted in historical records (e.g., Polybius’ *Histories*) as a challenge to Roman hegemony. Her rule underscored the strategic importance of Illyria as a buffer zone between Rome and the eastern Mediterranean. After her reign, the Ardiaei’s power waned, eventually leading to Roman annexation of the region in 167 BCE.  

### Historical Documentation  
Teuta is referenced across academic and cultural databases, including VIAF ID 1021279269, Library of Congress authority ID n2004148255, and Wikidata entry Q186030. Her name appears in Greek as Τεύτα (Teuta), reflecting her prominence in Hellenistic-era histories.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
4. Enciclopedia Treccani
5. Dizionario di Storia