Teuta: Power-Hungry Notorious Female Villain Who Underestimated The Romans’ Dominance

A. Sutherland  – AncientPages.com – Much of what we know about Queen Teuta comes from ancient Roman sources.

Teuta is a historical figure sometimes described as an “ancient pirate queen” and compared to Greek Queen Artemisia I of Caria, who was known to be loyal to no-one except herself. However, Teuta was not a pirate herself.

Queen Teuta of the Ardieai orders the Roman ambassadors to be killed. Credit: Public Domain

The Roman authors portrayed her as the troublemaker and initiator of war. One of them was Polybius (208 – c.125 BC), a Greek historian of the Hellenistic period who wrote “The Histories.” His work is considered the primary source recounting Queen Teuta’s life and deeds. He was among those who had not a positive attitude towards women ascending the throne.

Certainly, Teuta was not Polybius’ favorite.

Teuta Acts As A Regent And Expands Illyria’s Riches

Teuta was the queen regent of the Ardiaei tribe in Illyria, who ruled ca 231 BC to 227 BC. Illyria was a city-state on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, situated in the present-day Balkan Peninsula. After the death of her husband Agron (250–231 BC), the former king of the Ardiaei tribe in Illyria, she inherited the Ardiaean kingdom. She acted as regent for her young stepson Pinnes. Besides, she wanted to make Illyria stronger and more prosperous, so she launched an aggressive expansion policy and started treating the neighboring states with hostility.

She openly supported the pirates bringing back immense spoils to Illyria and made many enemies.

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