Thronion (Illyria) in the context of Amantes (tribe)

⭐ Core Definition: Thronion (Illyria)

Thronion (Ancient Greek: Θρόνιον) was an Ancient Greek city on the Illyrian coast, in the Bay of Vlorë on the southern Adriatic Sea. Although the earliest contacts appear to have been more pre-colonial activity rather than permanent settlement, an ancient, still archaeologically unproven tradition claims that the city was founded as a Locrian–Euboean colony on the fringes of the territory of the Amantes. Thronion was located to the south of the territory of Apollonia and in front of the Acroceraunian Mountains, the natural boundary between ancient Epirus and Illyria. Thronion was conquered by nearby Apollonia before 460 BCE.

Thronion has been identified with the site of Triport northwest of present-day Vlorë, Albania, where a large fortified port-town that was inhabited from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century CE is found now partially submerged.

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Thronion (Illyria) in the context of Nymphaion (fire sanctuary)

Nymphaion (Ancient Greek: Νυμφαῖον, Nymphaîon) was the name given to the ancient sanctuary of the "eternal fire" located in southern Illyria, notably near Apollonia, in modern-day Albania. The location also featured bitumen mines, which, still functioning today, have held a crucial role throughout the history of the region.

Placed inland on the Vjosë/Aoos river, the area was occupied by Illyrians since before archaic colonial times, and the site was likely already a place of worship because of its peculiar physical properties. Attested local tribes of the area were the Bylliones and the Amantes. In the 7th–6th century BCE Apollonia was founded on the Illyrian coast near this site by a joint colony of Corinth and Kerkyra. According to ancient literary tradition the fire of the sanctuary never went out before an ancient war fought between Apollonia and the Illyrians. Around mid-5th century BCE, after conquering nearby Thronion, Apollonia consolidated its control over the site of the fire sanctuary and the area of the bitumen mines. Until the Apollonian conquest, the control of the bitumen mines may have produced in part the wealth of Thronion.

View the full Wikipedia page for Nymphaion (fire sanctuary)

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