Albanian lakes are among the largest in the Balkans, although some are split between the neighboring states. These beautiful water bodies offer some stunning views, tourist activities, and attractive ecosystems; Albania’s top ten lakes to visit are as follows. 1. Lake Shkodra (368 sq. km/ 142 sq. mi) Lake of Shkodra is the largest lake in southern Europe, with a […]
Albanian mountains are numerous, high, and diverse. Albania is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe; among many beautiful and interesting peaks, here are the top ten mountains to climb in Albania. 1. Jezerca (2694 m/ 8839 feet) Jezerca is the second highest peak in Albania, the highest in the Albanian Alps and the Dinaric Alps, and sixth highest […]
Albanian beaches are some of the most beautiful yet unexplored coastal areas in the Balkans. The long stretch of Albanian coastline, washed by the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, offers some stunning Mediterranean beaches; below we list Albania’s most amazing and unique beaches. 1. Gjipe Gjipe Beach stands at the extreme of a magnificent canyon serving as the only link between […]
The period following the rule of Alexander I of Epirus Epirus before Pyrrhus and after the demise of Alexander the Molossian is dominated by periods of social and political turmoils. Alexander the Molossian left a young son known as Neoptolemus II as a legitimate successor. At the time of his father’s fall in southern Italy, he could not have been […]
Despite the intervention of Philip, the reign among the Molossians remained within the same royal family, known as the Aeacides family. However, Alexander, coming from the Macedonian court, would be a natural ally of Macedon. We can link the accession of Alexander in Epirus in about 350 B.C.E., with the establishment of a new constitution among the Molossians and other […]
Epirus was the name of an ancient region in the lands corresponding to current southern Albania and northwestern Greece. The name of Epirus seems to originate from the ancient Greek word “Epeiros” which means “land” or “continent”. It is clear that this term came from an islanders’ perspective, namely the Greek islanders settling in the many islands off Epirus’ coast. […]
Epirus: Geography and Populations Epirus was the name of an ancient region in the lands corresponding to current southern Albania and northwestern Greece. The name of Epirus seems to originate from the ancient Greek word “Epeiros” which means “land” or “continent”. It is clear that this term came from an islanders’ perspective, namely the Greek islanders settling in the many […]
Pyrrhus of Epirus: Lineage and Character Pyrrhus of Epirus (also known as Pyrrhus I, Pyrrhus, or Phyrrhus), was born in 319/318 B.C.E. in Epirus. He was the son of Aeacides, king of Epirus (ruled 331-316, 313) part of the ruling Epirot tribe of the Molossians, and Phthia, a noblewoman from Thessaly, daughter of Menon. Pyrrhus was also the second-cousin of […]
Episode I: An Ignored War Classical sources suggest that the Romans fought a brief war during 221-220 B.C.E. against the Istrians. According to these accounts, the war was caused by piratical assaults from the Istri against the Roman ships in northern Adriatic. Also, it is suggested that the Istri may have been collaborating as allies with Demetrius of Pharus against […]
Bardylis (“Bardhyll” in modern Albanian language meaning “White-Star”) was king of the Illyrians during 393-358 B.C.E. He was born around 448 B.C.E. as a member of the Illyrian tribe of the Enchelei. The Enchelei inhabited primarily the area around lake Lychnidus (Ohrid). Background Although from a humble origin, Bardylis would soon become the ruler of many Illyrian tribes and form one of […]