Social order and political organization

Since early in the Illyrian coast Hellenic colonies settled ancient ways of production . In the division of society into distinct role played colonies social and ethnic origin of people . In conditions was privileged aristocratic backgrounds layers , which had often been supportive of the establishment of colonies . Social composition of free layers was varied. Besides the exiles , for political reasons during the wars in metropolitan demos with the aristocracy , had impoverished noblemen , craftsmen stripped of the means of production , dispossessed peasants , merchants and sailors . This measure of population increased continuously as a result of the frequent invasions from the metropolis . In Dyrrah a large contingent of such people came in the second half of shek.V.


In Dyrrah of the Apollo layers constitute the main force of slave labor . It was divided into three categories : the slaves of the city - state slave who worked in the ateliers of tiles and bricks , breaking , transportation and skalitjen of stones in metal cutting coins in , then more jobs heavy . Many slaves were private that constituted the second category , who also served in addition ergasterive households .
A part of the population , growing , constituted "foreigners " , the third category or residents of Illyrian origin . Those in the first decades were deprived of social and political rights .
In accordance with the social composition of the population , the political order in the Apollo had Dyrrah early oligarchic character . Power belonged to an aristocratic minority backgrounds . The vast majority of the population , and the Illyrians , making no word for slaves , did not enjoy the right to rule the city .


The rapid economic development and Apolonia Dyrrah shek.VI - V is associated with changes in social and political order of the two colonies , as a result of a fierce social and political . With the expansion of artisan production and exchange of goods with the Illyrians and Greece , was enriched and strengthened commercial layers of craft economically colonies. These layers now emerged as independent forces in the political arena against oligarchic group , with the aim to take power and to use it to benefit their interests . Consequently , in the year 437 Dyrrah an uprising broke out in the demos , known in ancient history for the role he played on the eve of the Peloponnesian War . In the arena of this war except demos forces and aristocracy , the match seemed Korkyrës interests , behind which stood Athens and Corinth . Both powers were to benefit a wider perspective Illyrian market . Also in this match also actively participated neighboring Illyrians , who assisting aristocrats expelled from the city , was ranked the forces that përkahnin Athens in the Peloponnesian war against connectivity .
The sequence leading civil war in Dyrrah was complete triumph of the principle of class division of society , strengthening the polis slave . Power now exceeds the limited circle of aristocratic slave in the hands of all slave as a class . Its social base was expanded with the participation of broader layers slave , owners of workshops , dealers etc. . , Thus emphasizing more ancient way of production . Since that time it grew stronger social position of the Illyrians who lived in the city . Such a similar phenomenon took place in Apollo .
These changes were reflected in the composition and state functions . Place the heads ( fylarkëve ) aristocrats , in whose hands that power concentrated in the oligarchic regime , now took a collegial body , bull ( council ) . Its members were not only noble, but also from other layers of the slave . Created the general body meeting of the people , helieja . Its main tasks were the adoption of laws , judgments and choice importance of controlling the activities of executive bodies of the city . With the participation of all free people , this body was in the hands of the slave , without whose presence helieja had no right to choose the highest executive bodies of the city . By members of the bud at the top of every year prytani resolved , which was the highest civil functionary City . With his name linked to all laws , ordinances promulgated important decisions during the year . With issues pertaining to military defense and fight toksarku deal , which was commander of archery . Secretary of rain to the main task of caring for instilling upon stone or copper on the table of laws , decrees and decisions of higher helieja or executive bodies and to announce them publicly . The three hieramnamonët , dealing not only with religious issues , the organization of games of the holiday , but apparently the city's financial issues . In addition there were other employees, to a lower rank , but actually play an important role in economic life . Such was the officer in charge of cutting the coins , which had the task of caring for the provision of raw materials , as well as cutting and distribution of coins . On the silver Drachma placed his name alongside that of prytanit . One other officer was poleti dealing with the regulation of commerce with the Illyrians .
Religious cult was in harmony with the social and political institutions of the city . It also appears from the merger of religious and state functions ( hieramnamonët ) . The most venerated deities were Apollo Apollo , who gave the city the name , goddess of the Illyrian coast was unjisua by colonists with Artemis , was the god of the vine Dionizi etc. . The main gods , who prayed more dyrrahasit were Zeus , the legendary cofounder of Sun City and Heraclius .
Hellenic colonies settled in Illyria in circumstances close economic relations with the Illyrians , who depended on mutual interests . Further strengthening the colonies coincides with the birth of Illyrian cities and the formation of the Illyrian state . To these colonies will find a basis for support in their intentions to release the full economic and political metropolis . There have also been conflicts between the Illyrians and colonies , apparently as a result of misuse of the colonists in relations between the Illyrians and their boundaries . These took the form of armed struggle Thronion Illyrian Apollonia town around mid- fifth century and the Illyrians in the fight against Isa on Pesona 385 .
Since the second half of the century . IV Pesona history of Hellenistic colonies coast of Illyria developed in close relationship with the political history of the Illyrian state and in its framework .