Source edition
Appianus. Appiani Historia romana, Volume 1. Mendelssohn, Ludwig, editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1879.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a historical narrative by Appian depicting the series of wars fought between Rome and the various tribes of Illyria. The text begins with the geographical boundaries of Illyria, the mythical origins of its tribes, and the history of their rise and fall. It details the initial conflicts under King Agron, the subsequent betrayal by Demetrius, and the gradual expansion of Roman influence. The latter half of the work focuses heavily on the exhaustive pacification campaigns led by Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus, in the Alps, Dalmatia, and Pannonia. Appian vividly describes intense sieges, such as those of Metulum and Segesta, highlighting the commander's personal injuries and the harsh discipline of decimation (decimatio) imposed on his troops. The narrative concludes with the ultimate surrender of the Dalmatian tribes and the integration of the entire Illyrian region into the Roman Empire.