Grabaei
The Grabaei (also Kambaioi; Greek: Καμβαῖοι) were a minor Illyrian tribe who lived near Lake Skadar.[lower-alpha 1] They were mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD).[5]
History
After Philip II of Macedon defeated Bardylis (358 BC), the Grabaei, under Grabus, became the most powerful tribe in Illyria.[6] 7,000 Illyrians were killed by Philip II’s army in a great victory, annexing the territory up to Lake Ohrid.[7] He then reduced the Grabaei, targeted another Illyrian king called Pleuratus (considered by some modern scholars an Ardiaean ot Taulantian chieftain), defeated the Triballi (339 BC), and fought with Pleurias, king of the Autariatai (337 BC).[8]
After 9 AD, the remnants of Illyrian tribes moved to new coastal cities and larger and more capable civitates; the Grabaei (called Kambaioi) were among these, mentioned by Pliny the Elder.[9]
Kretschmer etymologically connected their name to Slavic grabǔ, "hornbeam", with a cognate in Epirote Greek gábros (γάβρος, "oak-wood"), approved by most scholars (1982).[10] Their name has been connected to Umbrian Krapuvi and Grabovie, gods of Iguvium.[10] Gabraeum (Gabraion[11]), a place in Epirus,[12] may be connected to the tribe.[13] The name of Illyrian king Grabus suggests a connection with the tribe.[1]
Notes
- Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) mentioned them as one of the tribes that inhabited the area around Lake Skadar (within a region encompassing Rhizinium, Acruvium, Butua, Olcinium, and the river Drin upon Shkodër). Wilkes (1992) placed them near Lake Skadar.[1] Hammond (1994) placed them in the Skodra region.[2] Hubert Zehnacker placed them around the Drin.[3] Johann Hahn (1840) placed them between Drin and Acroceraunia.[4]
References
- Wilkes 1992.
- Hammond 1994, p. 427.
- Zehnacker, Hubert (2004). Pline l'Ancien. Histoire naturelle: Livre III. Belles Lettres. p. 274. ISBN 978-2-251-01407-4.
- Hahn 1854, p. 240.
- Wilkes 1969, p. 166.
- Hammond 1994, p. 438.
- Hammond 1993, p. 106.
- Hammond 1993, p. 107.
- Wilkes 1969, p. 156.
- "Balkan languages". Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge University Press. 1982. p. 871. ISBN 978-0-521-22496-3.
- Procopius : Caesariensis (1729). Procopii Caesariensis Opera: Prokopiou Kaisareos Ton kat'auton historion tetras altera. Procopii Caesariensis historiarum temporis sui tetras altera. p. 443.
- Annales. impensis Ed. Weberi. 1838. p. 548.
- Kos, M. Š. (1993). "Famous Kylikes in Illyris". Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte: 247–251.
Gabraeum may certainly be connected with the Dalmatian tribe Grabaei, probably named after the oak tree.
Bibliography
- Hahn, Johann Georg von (1854). Albanesische Studien: Nebst einer Karte und andern artistischen Beilagen. F. Mauke. p. 240.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Hammond, N. G. L (1993). Studies concerning Epirus and Macedonia before Alexander. Hakkert.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Hammond, N. G. L. (1994). "Illyrians and North-west Greeks". The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 6: The Fourth Century BC. Cambridge University Press: 422–443.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Wilkes, J. J. (1969). Dalmatia. Harvard University Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Wilkes, J. J. (1992). The Illyrians. Blackwell. p. 121. ISBN 06-3119-807-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
