clops are as powerful as ever in the bedtime stories of the Albanian mothers and grandmothers. It is estimated that of the actual stock of the Albanian language, more than one third is of undisputed Illyrian origin, and the rest are disputed Illyrian-Pelasgian, ancient Greek and Latin, with a small admixture of Slavic, Italian (dating from the Venetian occupation of the seaboard), Turkish, and some Celtic words, too. Besides, the writer has discovered a number of Teutonic words which date, perhaps, from the Gothic invasion of Albania. III. ANTIQUITIES Albania abounds in ancient remains which as yet have been unexplored. The history of Albania cannot, therefore, be written in its proper and final form without reference to the precious relics the Albanian soil has jealously guarded for centuries. It is only when these archæological treasures come to light that a really scientific history of Albania can be written. Fragments of Cyclopean structures, of the Cyclopean-Pelasgian period, were discovered by Hahn at Kretsunitsa, Arinishta, and other sites of the district of Arghyrocastro, which was called Pelasgia in ancient times. The walls, partly Cyclopean, of an ancient city (perhaps Bullis or Byllis) are visible at Gradishti on the picturesque Viosa River. Few traces remain of the once celebrated Dyrrhachium (the actual Durazzo, the Epidamnus of the Greeks). The most important and interesting remains, however, are those of Dodona where the celebrated oracle of ancient times was situated. Of the medieval ruins, those of Kroia or Croia, the stronghold of Scanderbeg, are the most interesting. Central and Northern Albania abound in unexplored remains of the Illyrian period. The traces of the early Illyrian civilization lie still covered under the dust and ashes of nearly thirty centuries. There are also abundant remains of the Roman and Greek period, but, in general, the remains of the classical epoch attest the influence of Roman rather than of Greek civilization. Greek influence may be traced only in the few Greek colonies which had been established along the coast, mainly by the Corinthians. REFERENCES ADAMIDI, DR. GEORGES, Les Pélasges et leur descendants les Albanais -Bulletin de l'Institut Egyptien, 1902, pp. 6-15, 45-57. DURUY, V., History of Rome, Translated by W. J. Clarke, Boston, 1890—The Pelasgians, Vol. I, Sect. 1, pp. 44–60. FALLMERAYER, DR. J. PH., Das Albanesische Element in Griechenland -Abhandlungen des Historische Classe (Bavarian Academy), 1860, Vol. 8, pp. 49-487. HAHN, DR. JOHANN GEORG VON, Albanische Studien, Wien, 1853 (Jena, 1854), Vol. I, pp. 211–279. KARAPANOS, Dodone et ses ruines, Paris, 1878. LEAKE, WILLIAM MARTIN, Of the Albanian Language (Researches in Greece) London, 1814, pp. 263-288. NOPOSA, FRANZ BARON VON, Archæologisches aus Nordalbanien, Illustr., in Wissenschaftl. Mitteil. aus Bosnien und Hersegivina, Wien, 1909, Vol. II, pp. 82-90. PATSCH, DR. CARL, Das Sandschak Berat in Albanien, Wien, 1904 (Antiquities). CHAPTER II ANCIENT ALBANIA I. EARLY PERIOD In the course of her long history, Albania has been invaded by various civilized, half-civilized, and barbarian races. The Gauls, the Romans, the Goths, the Slavs, the Normans, the Venetians, and, finally, the Turks, successively set their foot on, and obtained temporary mastery over, the Albanian territory. But, in the course of time, the natives have gradually driven out or assimilated the invaders. So many invasions and influences have left hardly any appreciable traces, least of all on the national characteristics, traditions, customs, and language of the Albanian people. What the Roman and Greek writers have written about the Albanians centuries ago does singularly apply to their actual conditions in such a way as to make one imagine that the old writings are but contemporary history. A series of historical events, of momentous importance and superior to his own will, confined the Albanian within his inaccessible mountain fastnesses, and constrained him to cling with tenacity to his national traditions, language, and customs, far from the touch of, and contact with, higher degrees of civilization, apart from that of his immediate enemies and neighbors. The Albanian people present, then, the unique and imposing phenomenon of a continuous national exist ence which extends from the remotest times down to our own days. Its beginnings may be traced only by going as far back as the Pelasgian and Illyrian period. Of the early period of the Illyrians and, especially, of the Pelasgians we know almost nothing. Our history will, then, necessarily begin with the rise of the kingdoms of Illyria and Molossia which respectively represent during the historical times the Illyrians and Pelasgians. II. THE KINGDOM OF ILLYRIA In its beginning, the kingdom of Illyria comprised the actual territories of Dalmatia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Northern and Central Albania, with a large part of modern Serbia. But in the course of its development it extended all along the eastern litoral of the Adriatic Sea. Scutari was its capital, just as she is now the capital of Northern and Central Albania. The earliest known king of Illyria was Hyllus (The Star) who is recorded to have died in the year 1225 B. C. The kingdom, however, reached the zenith of its expansion and development in the fourth century B. C., when Bardhyllus (White Star), one of the most prominent of the Illyrian kings, united under his scepter the kingdoms of Illyria, Molossia or Epirus and a good part of Macedonia, so that his realm extended from the port of Trieste ("market-place” in Albanian) to the Ambracic Gulf. But its decay began under the same ruler as a result of the attacks made on it by Philip of Macedon, father of Alex ander the Great. On the victorious conclusion of the war against Athens, the Macedonian General Parmenion attacked and defeated the Illyrian forces between the lakes of Prespa and Ochrida, in order to recover the part of Macedonia that had been annexed by Bardhyllus. On succeeding his father, Alexander the Great set out to pursue the war against the Illyrian kings. The Illyrian troops were entrenched at Pelion, near the present city of Koritza (Korcha, in Albanian), under the command of King Kleitos, the son of Bardhyllus. Alexander attacked them and won a complete victory over them. As a result, the Illyrian king agreed to follow his great kinsman in his expedition against the Persians. The Illyrian troops formed a considerable part of the forces of the conqueror of the Persian Empire and shared in his triumph. Upon the death of Alexander the Illyrian kings regained their liberty of action within their territories. In the year 232 B. c. the Illyrian throne was occupied by the enterprising Teuta, the celebrated Queen whom historians have called Catherine the Great of Illyria. It was she who brought the Romans in contact with the Balkans. The depredations of her thriving navy on the rising commercial development of the Republic forced the Roman Senate to declare war against the Queen. A huge army and navy under the Roman consuls Gaius Fulvius Santumalus and Lucius Postumius Alvinus attacked Central Albania, and, after two years of protracted warfare, Teuta was induced to sue for peace (227 B. C.). The last king of Illyria was Gentius, of pathetic |