Autariatae

The Autariatae (Αὐταριάται in Greek) or Autariates were an Illyrian tribe that became prominent between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. 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.

History

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 in a number of tumuli dating from the 7th and 6th centuries BC.Fact|date=February 2008

Due to numerous external political and economic influences, the Autariatae communities unified into a single political entity during the late 6th century BC. 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, [Wilkes, J. J. "The Illyrians", 1992, p. 223, ISBN 0631198075. "The salt source that was a cause of conflict between the Illyrian Ardiaei and Autariatae may be that at Orahovica in the upper Neretva valley near Konjic."] in struggles for control over pastures and salty springs. [Wilkes, J. J. "The Illyrians", 1992, p. 139, ISBN 0631198075. "...describes a long-running feud between the Autariatae and the Ardiaei over the possession of a salt-source near their common border."] 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 [Wilkes, J. J. "The Illyrians", 1992, p. 145, ISBN 0631198075. "While the once formidable Autariatae had vanished long before the Roman conquest, and the Triballi, Scordisci and Moesi all declined to insignificant remnants, the Dardani..."] due to Celtic migrations. [Wilkes, J. J. "The Illyrians", 1992, p. 75, ISBN 0631198075. "...Alföldy suggests that this Celtic component may derive from the impact of the migrating Celts on the Illyrian Autariatae, but it now seems that they dwelt not there but further south between the `real Illyrians' around the Lake of ..."]

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. [Wilkes, J. J. "The Illyrians", 1992, p. 243, ISBN 0631198075. "...the skull of an enemy as a drinking tankard. The practice of mutilating prisoners may be the reason why the Autariatae killed their own weak and wounded, so that they did not fall into the hands of the enemy live and..."]

The Autariatae left a legacy of material wealth. So far, more than 100 castle ruins were identified to have been inhabited by the Autariatae, as well as thousands 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 type indicate the complexity of this tradition.Fact|date=February 2008

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.Fact|date=February 2008

References

See also

*List of Illyrian tribes