Dardanians

The Dardanians were an ancient people who inhabited the region of Dardania, which is now part of modern-day Albania and Montenegro. The term "Dardania" is derived from the ancient Greek name for the region, "Dardania," which in turn is believed to be derived from the name of the Dardanians themselves. The Dardanians are often associated with the Illyrians, a larger group of Indo-European tribes who inhabited the Balkans during the Iron Age.

The Dardanians are known for their role in the Illyrian kingdom of Bardylis, which was a significant political entity in the region during the 4th century BC. Bardylis is mentioned by several ancient authors, including Strabo and Pliny the Elder, as a powerful kingdom that controlled a large territory in the western Balkans. The Dardanians are also mentioned in the works of the ancient Greek historian Polybius, who describes them as one of the tribes that made up the Illyrian confederation.

The Dardanians are believed to have been a warlike people, and their kingdom was known for its military prowess. They are mentioned in several ancient sources as having been involved in conflicts with other tribes and city-states in the region, including the Romans. However, little is known about the Dardanians beyond their role in the Illyrian kingdom of Bardylis, and their history and culture remain largely obscure.

The Dardanians are often associated with the modern-day ethnic group of the Albanians, who are the largest ethnic group in Albania. However, the relationship between the Dardanians and the Albanians is complex and not fully understood, and it is a topic of ongoing scholarly debate. Some scholars argue that the Dardanians and the Albanians are the same people, while others contend that they are distinct groups with different origins and histories.