Description:

The history of ancient Illyricum before Croats, Serbs, Slovenes, or Bosnians. Much speculation exists as to the origins of civilization on the Balkan Peninsual; however, a number of ancient tribes, known collectively as Illyrians, came to rule the land. During the time of the Roman Republic, a series of wars ensued between the Romans and Illyrians which eventually led to the creation of the Roman province of Illyricum. In its period of greatest influence, many Roman emperors, including Diocletian and Constantine, emerged from Illyricum. However, as the Roman Empire began to collapse, barbarians such as the Avars invaded the Balkans. Eventually, a people known as Slavs took over all the land which was once Ancient Illyricum.