Dardania (Europe)

Dardania (Latin Dardania ) is a historical region in southeastern Europe, which extended Ibar, Morava and Vardar between the headwaters of the rivers. It included the current territory of Kosovo and also some areas in southern Serbia and Macedonia. The region was named after the Dardani who mixed to the east with Thracian populations.

The Dardanians took in antiquity often raids in the south to the territory of the Macedonians, however, were subjected to 335 BC of Macedon. 279 BC attracted expelled from Macedonia Celtic tribes to the land of Dardanians. To 250 BC the Dardanians spread out to the Adriatic, with their fiercest opponents were the Illyrian Ardiaioi ( German Ardiäer ). 229 BC defeated the Dardanians Demetrius II Under Philip V. Dardanians to Pella, Edessa and Beroia were settled.

Middle of the 1st century became the territory under the rule of Rome and formed part of the province of Moesia (later Moesia Superior). During this time some veteran colonies were established in Dardania, the city Scupi became the regional center and the Emperor Trajan founded the colony Ulpiana. The reforms of Diocletian the Roman province of Dardania was established, which included the cities Naissus, Ulpiana, Scupi, and the municipium Dardanorum. Prokopios of Caesarea recorded in the 6th century 69 fortresses in Dardania. In the 7th century, the area was occupied by unsuccessful wars Maurikios ' of Slavs.

In the late Middle Ages Dardania reappears in the works of learned writers. Today, the name of Kosovo Albanians is sometimes used as an alternative name for Kosovo.

Maps

Dardania in the 4th century

Dardania, in the 6th century

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