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The Autariatae or Autariates (Αὐταριάται in Greek) were an Illyrian tribe that became prominent in the 4th century BC^{[citation needed]}. Their presence in the western and central parts of the Balkans has been attested by a wide range of historical data, philological relics and an abundance of material evidence. Research on the Autariates and Glasinac culture of the Old Iron Age started in the late 19th century. Interest in the subject significantly increased during the end of the 20th century. However, in spite of intensive research, a comprehensive study of the Autariates has not been produced to this present day. The etymology^{[citation needed]} of the tribe and the Tara mountains of southwestern Serbia are connected.The tribe had been Celticized^[1].

Distribution of cities in antiquity in the border of southern Illyria with Greeks and Thracians

[edit] History

Autarieus is the founderTemplate:App. Illyr. 2 of the tribe according to a myth by Appian.

The origins of the Autariatae can be traced from the proto-Illyrian populations that used to inhabit southeastern Bosnia and the Upper Podrinje area during the Bronze Age. The movement of the "Urnfield people" considerably altered the ethnic and cultural makeup of Podunavlje. However, this particular movement did not significantly affect the area inhabited by the Glasinac culture of the late Bronze Age. The stabilization that ensued in the aftermath of the movement triggered the rapid ethnic, cultural and political development of the Autariatae community. As a result, social and political structures of the Autariatae community became more complex and started developing from tribal structures of organization into principalities with established territories from the end of the 8th century BC. Immensely rich graves in which members of local dynasties had been buried were found^{[citation needed]} in a number of tumuli dating from the 7th and 6th centuries BC.

Due to numerous external political and economic influences, the Autariatae communities unified into a single political entity during the late 6th century BC^{[citation needed]}. Once united, the Autariatae started to mainly expand eastward into territories controlled by the Triballi. Moreover, they expanded southward where they defeated the Ardiaei, their old rivals,^[2] in struggles for control over pastures and salty springs.^[3] Activities of the Autariatae at the turn of the 6th and 5th centuries BC profoundly influenced the peoples who were directly affected by their expansion. The Ardiaei were moved toward the coasts and the Triballi to the east. The expansion of the Autariatae enabled them to achieve hegemonic control over one part of the interior of the Balkan Peninsula. The leading class of the Autariatae society reached the peak of its political and economic development indicated through many great luxurious royal tumuli and graves created during the 5th century BC. Strabo’s comment on the Autariatae as "the once greatest and most powerful Illyrian people" most likely refers to this period. Their peak of development was followed by the gradual decline of the Autariatae ending in 310 BC with their sudden disappearance^[4] due to Celtic migrations.^[5]

The tribes of Autariatae and the Celtic Scordisci are thought to have merged into one in the Lower Morava valley, Serbia, after 313 BC, since excavations show that the two groups made burials at the same exact grave field in Pecine, near Kostolac^[6]. Nine graves of Autariatae dating to 4th century BC and scattered Autariatae and Celtic graves around these earlier graves show that the two groups mixed rather than made war^[7] and this resulted in the lower Morava valley becoming a Celto-Thracio-Illyrian interaction zone.^[8]

[edit] Cultural practices

A standard practice of the Autariatae entailed killing their weak and wounded. This was meant to prevent meek individuals from falling into the hands of enemy tribes.^[9]

The Autariatae left a legacy of material wealth. So far, more than 100^{[citation needed]} castle ruins were identified to have been inhabited by the Autariatae, as well as thousands^{[citation needed]} of tumuli in which they had been buried. Movable materials (mostly jewelry and weapons) reveal all specific features associated with the ethno-cultural originality of the Autariatae. The Autariatae established a continuous tradition of manufacturing metal and ceramic products. Artifacts consisting of metal sheets with luxurious golden and silver belts of Mramorac^{[citation needed]} type indicate the complexity of this tradition.^{[citation needed]}

The Autariatae are a classic example of a "highland" people who also show all the characteristics of a "highland" mentality (i.e. preservation of old beliefs). Case in point, the Autariatae have strongly maintained their burial customs of burning the dead in tumuli, which have not changed until the end of the Glasinac culture. Archaeological remains indicate that the religious life of the Autariatae was influenced by both their ancestor cult and the cult of their solar god. One can find the numerous evidences of the solar cult throughout the territories once controlled by the Autariatae. The economy of the Autariatae was based on cattle breeding, metalwork, handicraft and trade. Because of its need for Greek and Italic goods, this Illyrian tribe was one of the biggest trade partners of the western and central Balkans to both Greek and Italic traders between the 7th and 6th centuries BC.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Illyria & Illyrians

[edit] See also

• List of Illyrian tribes