The Romans ruled Illyria—which now became the province of Illyricum—for about six centuries. Under Roman rule Illyrian society underwent great change, especially in its outward, material aspect. Art and culture flourished, particularly in Apollonia, whose school of philosophy became celebrated in antiquity. To a great extent, though, the Illyrians resisted assimilation into Roman culture. Illyrian culture survived, along with the Illyrian tongue, though many Latin words entered the language and later became a part of the Albanian language.
Christianity manifested itself in Illyria during Roman rule, about the middle of the 1st century ce. At first the new religion had to compete with Middle Eastern cults—among them that of Mithra, Persian god of light—which had entered the land in the wake of Illyria’s growing interaction with eastern regions of the empire. For a long time it also had to compete with gods worshipped by Illyrian pagans. The steady growth of the Christian community in Dyrrhachium (the Roman name for Epidamnus) led to the creation there of a bishopric in 58 ce. Later, episcopal seats were established in Apollonia, Buthrotum (modern Butrint), and Scodra (modern Shkodër).
By the time the empire began to decline, the Illyrians, profiting from a long tradition of martial habits and skills, had acquired great influence in the Roman military hierarchy. Indeed, several of them went on from there to become emperors. From the mid-3rd to the mid-4th century ce, the reins of the empire were almost continuously in the hands of emperors of Illyrian origin: Gaius Decius, Claudius Gothicus, Aurelian, Probus, Diocletian, and Constantine the Great.
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
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Albania - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
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The Republic of Albania in eastern Europe is one of the smallest countries on the Balkan Peninsula. During most of its history Albania has been ruled by other countries and empires. The capital is Tirana.
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Albania - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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The Republic of Albania is located on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered on the south by Greece, on the east by Macedonia, on the northeast by Kosovo, and on the northwest by Montenegro. The Adriatic Sea washes its western shore. Albania became a communist state in 1946. In succeeding decades it became the poorest country of Europe. In the 1990s, like its Eastern European neighbors, it rejected communism. The Communist party itself was voted out of office in March 1992. Area 11,082 square miles (28,703 square kilometers). Population (2013 est.) 2,774,000.
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