The Histories of Polybius. Volume one

1889

Central PA4391 A2 1889

London: Macmillan and Co.

Teuta (reign 231-227BC), became Queen of the Illyrian tribe of the Ardiaei (modern day Albania) upon the death of her husband, Agron. Piracy was legal for the Illyrians, and Teuta encouraged and supported her navy’s piratical pursuits in the Mediterranean Sea. As Greek historian, Polybius (209-125BC) reported, Rome wanted the pirate Queen Teuta to cease and desist, and sent two ambassadors to implore her to stop. Unfortunately for them, she captured one and killed the other. What is notable about Polybius’s account of Teuta’s exploits is the disparaging language he used to describe her behaviour. He portrayed women in general as ‘carriers of disturbing irrationality’ and ‘easily overcome by emotion’ (Eckstein, 1995). Teuta was just a woman in charge, which was anathema to most men of the time.