Enchele
Encyclopedia
The Enchelei were an Illyrian tribe, in the 8th and 7th centuries BC, living around the region of Lake Ohrid
in Albania
and the Republic of Macedonia
. They were often at war for domination of the region with the ancient Macedonians
who settled in the east. Their neighbors in the north-west were the Illyrian Taulanti , to the north, the Dardani
and to the south the Dassaretae
, a Hellenic
tribe. After the conquest by the Macedonians, the Dassaretae settled in the area.
The Periplus of Pseudo-Skylax from the 4th century BC, mentions the Enchelei as an Illyrian tribe on the Adriatic coast in modern-day Montenegro. That they settled the coast 300 years later, is explained by the immigration of Dassaretae into their territory. The Enchelei lived by fishing on Lake Ohrid, and on trade with Greek products, which have been found in many archaeological excavations.
The oldest reference's to this kingdom are based more on mythology than history. It is referred that Cadmus from Phoenicia
with his wife Harmonia arrived arrived among the Enchelei. As the legend says it, at that time the Enchelei were at war with neighboring Illyrian tribes and Cadmus after orders from the Oracle became leader of the people and came to their aid. After the victory against the other Illyrians the Enchelei chose Cadmus as their king.
The Enchelei were often at war with the northern Greeks. From written sources from Greek writers such as Herodotus
, the Enchelei army is even recorded attacking the temple of Delphi
and even ancient Thebes
.
Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species that is of worldwide importance...
in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. They were often at war for domination of the region with the ancient Macedonians
Ancient Macedonians
The Macedonians originated from inhabitants of the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, in the alluvial plain around the rivers Haliacmon and lower Axios...
who settled in the east. Their neighbors in the north-west were the Illyrian Taulanti , to the north, the Dardani
Dardani
Dardania was the region of the Dardani .Located at the Thraco-Illyrian contact zone, their identification as either an Illyrian or Thracian tribe is uncertain. Their territory itself was not considered part of Illyria by Strabo. The term used for their territory was , while for other tribes had...
and to the south the Dassaretae
Dassaretae
The Dassaretae , or Dexaroi, were an ancient Greek tribe of Epirus on the border with Illyria near Lake Ohrid. They were the northern-most subtribe of the Chaonians. Theopompus writes of fourteen Epirotian tribes, speakers of a strong west-Greek dialect, of which the Dexaroi were a part...
, a Hellenic
Hellenic
Hellenic is a synonym for Greek and may refer to:* Hellenic languages* Hellenic Airlines* Hellenic College, a liberal arts college in Brookline, Massachusetts* Hellenic College of London* Hellenic FC, a football club in South Africa...
tribe. After the conquest by the Macedonians, the Dassaretae settled in the area.
The Periplus of Pseudo-Skylax from the 4th century BC, mentions the Enchelei as an Illyrian tribe on the Adriatic coast in modern-day Montenegro. That they settled the coast 300 years later, is explained by the immigration of Dassaretae into their territory. The Enchelei lived by fishing on Lake Ohrid, and on trade with Greek products, which have been found in many archaeological excavations.
Enchelean Kingdom
In southern Illyria earlier than in other areas of Illyria, organized states were formed. The oldest known state which can be discussed about from ancient sources is that of the Enchelei. The height of the Enchelean Kingdom was from the 8th-7th centuries BC, but the kingdom fell from dominant power around the 6th century BC.The oldest reference's to this kingdom are based more on mythology than history. It is referred that Cadmus from Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
with his wife Harmonia arrived arrived among the Enchelei. As the legend says it, at that time the Enchelei were at war with neighboring Illyrian tribes and Cadmus after orders from the Oracle became leader of the people and came to their aid. After the victory against the other Illyrians the Enchelei chose Cadmus as their king.
The Enchelei were often at war with the northern Greeks. From written sources from Greek writers such as Herodotus
Herodotus
Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus, Caria and lived in the 5th century BC . He has been called the "Father of History", and was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent and arrange them in a...
, the Enchelei army is even recorded attacking the temple of Delphi
Delphi
Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god...
and even ancient Thebes
Ancient Thebes (Boeotia)
See Thebes, Greece for the modern city built on the ancient ruins.Ancient Thebes was a Boeotian city-state , situated to the north of the Cithaeron range, which divides Boeotia from Attica, and on the southern edge of the Boeotian plain...
.