400 BC to 168 BC

The Illyrians

In antiquity the coast and mountains belonged to Illyrian peoples. In the third century BC the Ardiaei built a kingdom, and its Queen Teuta held the fortress of Rhizon, today's Risan on the Bay of Kotor. Illyrian piracy brought war with Rome in 229 BC. Rome defeated the last Illyrian king, Gentius, in 168 BC and absorbed the region.