The siege of Pelium was undertaken by Alexander the Great against the Illyrian tribes in parts of what is modern-day Albania. It was critical for Alexander to take this pass as it provided easy access to Illyria and Macedonia, which was urgently needed in order to quell the unrest in Greece at this time in Athens and Thebes. This was an important point of demarcation in Alexander's early reign, as it established him among the Danubian tribes to the north as a serious monarch to be reckoned with, just as he would later establish this precedent for the Greek city states under his hegemony. Taking this pass allowed Alexander to march his army to southern Greece quickly, which would eventually result in the total destruction of Thebes.
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- ⭐ Core Definition: Siege of Pelium
- Siege of Pelium in the context of Glaucias of Taulantii
- Siege of Pelium in the context of Cleitus (son of Bardylis)
Siege of Pelium in the context of Glaucias of Taulantii
Glaucias (Ancient Greek: Γλαυκίας; ruled c. 335 – c. 295 BC) was a ruler of the Taulantian kingdom, situated in modern day Albania, which dominated southern Illyrian affairs in the second half of the 4th century BC. Glaucias is first mentioned as bringing a considerable force to the assistance of Bardylis' son Cleitus, an Illyrian prince who revolted against Alexander the Great, in the battle of Pelium 335 BC. They were, however, both defeated, and Cleitus was forced to take refuge within the Taulantian territories, whither Alexander did not pursue him, his attention being called elsewhere by the news of the revolt of Thebes.
We next hear of Glaucias, nearly 20 years later, as affording an asylum to the infant Pyrrhus, when his father Aeacides was driven out of Epirus; Glaucias' wife Beroea belonged to the Molossian Aeacidae. By this measure he gave offence to Cassander, who sought to gain possession of Epirus for himself, and who in vain offered Glaucias 200 talents to give up the child.
View the full Wikipedia page for Glaucias of TaulantiiSiege of Pelium in the context of Cleitus (son of Bardylis)
Cleitus (Ancient Greek: Κλεῖτος; ruled c. 356–335 BC) was an Illyrian ruler, the son of the King Bardylis and the father of Bardylis II.
Cleitus was the mastermind behind the well-structured Illyrian Revolt of 335 BC. Cleitus entered into an agreement with the Taulantii State under Glaucias and the Autariatae State under Pleurias. Cleitus had captured and garrisoned the city of Pelion and waited for Glaucias' troops to arrive. However, Alexander arrived on the scene first and blockaded Cleitus within the city walls. Glaucias came to Cleitus' aid, and the Macedonians were forced to retreat. Alexander came back with more equipment and supplies and skillfully drove Glaucias' army from the surrounding heights, preventing Cleitus from engaging with Glaucias.
View the full Wikipedia page for Cleitus (son of Bardylis)