Queen Teuta of Illyria (fl. 231–228 BCE) was a talented admiral and one of the first known women pirates. Her vast fleet that terrorized the Adriatic and challenged the might of Rome. This pirate queen remains a major figure in the history of women at sea.
Teuta of Illyria: a warlike pirate queen
Teuta of Illyria was the wife of King Agron of the Ardiaei tribe of Illyria, along the eastern Adriatic coastline. After her husband’s death in 231 BCE, she assumed power as regent for Agron’s son by another woman, Pinnes.
Illyria had a well established tradition of warlike women. A notable example was Audata, wife of Philip II of Macedon and mother of Alexander the Great’s half sister, Cynane. Audata trained her daughter in the arts of war according to Illyrian customs. Cynane would later face and kill the Illyrian queen Caeria in battle. Teuta was therefore no exception.
One of Teuta’s first decisions was to amass a vast fleet and army. The pirate queen granted her privateers license to attack any ships they encountered, and the Illyrian fleet soon began to raid and pillage across the Adriatic. Teuta launched several military campaigns against neighboring powers, notably against Epirus. She was reportedly so impressed by the spoils her troops brought back that she ordered further attacks. Before long, the queen openly challenged Rome.
One of the first know female pirates
The main sources for Teuta’s story are the writings of Polybius, supplemented by Appian and Cassius Dio. Polybius’ account is deeply biased. He portrays Teuta of Illyria as the embodiment of barbarism and relies on misogynistic stereotypes, depicting her as impulsive and short sighted. His aim was to present the Roman retaliation against Illyria as lawful and to contrast Roman honor with barbarian treachery.
According to Polybius, Teuta’s privateers ventured into the Mediterranean and attacked ships from Italy. In response, the Romans sent envoys to the woman pirate in 230 BCE. At the time, she had just suppressed an internal revolt and was besieging the city of Issa with her fleet when she received them. Teuta reportedly replied that it was contrary to Illyrian custom for kings to prevent their subjects from winning booty at sea. One of the ambassadors expressed his outrage. As a result, Teuta had him murdered shortly after he departed.
The warrior queen’s last stand
Outraged by Teuta’s actions, the Romans declared war in 229 BCE. One of Teuta’s closest allies betrayed her and the Romans soon prevailed. Teuta and her followers withdrew to the fortress of Rhizon in the Bay of Kotor, in present day Montenegro. Eventually, she had no choice but to capitulate. She agreed to pay tribute, relinquished almost all of Illyria, and accepted strict naval limitations, including the use of only two unarmed vessels beyond a designated point.
Teuta of Illyria’s fate after her abdication remains unknown. Her treasure, however, was not lost. Between 2010 and 2012, archaeologists uncovered large hoards of coins dating from her reign at Rhizon, along with jewelry and luxury goods.
Today, Teuta of Illyria is celebrated as a national heroine in Albania. Statues have been erected in her honor, and she has appeared on coins. Rome’s efforts could not suppress the legacy of one of the most powerful warrior queens of the ancient world.
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Further reading:
Bajrić Amela, “Illyrian Queen Teuta and the Illyrians in Polybius’s passage on the Roman mission in Illyria”
Cassius Dio, Roman History
Champion Craige, Cultural Politics in Polybius’s Histories
Mayor Adrienne, The Amazons, lives & legends of warrior women across the Ancient World
Polybius, Histories
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