RHIZON – CAPITAL OF THE ILLYRIAN KINGDOM – SOME REMARKS
RHIZON – CAPITAL OF THE ILLYRIAN KINGDOM – SOME REMARKS

Author(s): Piotr Dyczek
Subject(s): Archaeology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Rhizon; Illyria; Ballaios; fortifi cations; palatial complex
Summary/Abstract: Archaeological excavations (carried out by the University of Warsaw Centre for Research on Antiquity of South-Eastern Europe) on the site of ancient Rhizon/Risinum (modern Risan in Montenegro) brought to light a great amount of small finds, often of unique character, which testify to the importance and richness of this town in Hellenistic times. Equally important was the discovery of architectural remains, which show that Rhizon played a major role in the third century BC, perhaps that of a capital of the Illyrian Kingdom. Rhizon seems to have been especially connected with King Ballaios. A large, 4656-coin hoard, mostly representing his mint, not only demonstrates the wealth of some of the town’s inhabitants, but also the existence of a developed monetary system at that time. The importance of Rhizon is further confirmed by Cyclopean walls encircling the Lower Town, and the palatial complex, most probably built in the third century BC and remodelled at the end of the same century.

• Details
• Contents