Albania is a country too often ignored, overshadowed by its more famous neighbours. However, those visitors who flock to Greece or Croatia are missing out on a region that enjoys an extensive and diverse historical heritage. What is more, its scenery is amazing – and the ghost of its Communist period, still within living memory, adds an intriguing element to any visit.
Though there is evidence of settlements here since the Neolithic period about 6000 BC, the Albania of today enters written history as Illyria in the 5th century BC. A distinctive Illyrian culture developed during the Bronze Age, which saw a synthesis of local farmers and pastoral immigrants. Contacts with the Aegean civilisations followed, and from c.600 BC the Greeks began to found colonies along the coast. The Illyrians, drawn into Greek conflicts, became an important source of wheat for Greek urban populations.
Roman expansion led to clashes and partial occupation in the 3rd century BC. Much of the area was conquered during the wars between Rome and Macedonia from 215-167 BC. Around 130 BC, the Via Egnatia was built, leading from the coast all the way to Byzantium. Illyria was a battleground during the civil wars of the 1st century BC, but thrived under the Roman peace that followed. Several emperors grew up in the province – most notably Diocletian in the 3rd century AD. Illyria survived the fall of Rome as part of the Byzantine Empire, but came under increasing pressure from barbarian attacks, and many cities were abandoned by the 6th century AD.
