ILLYR'ICUM (Lat., from Gk. '1XXIpts6v, Illyrikon, from 'IXXopis, Illyris, 'INXrpla, 'E lyria, Illyria). The Roman name of a country whose limits in ancient times varied very consid erably. In the forth century B.C. the 111yrians inhabited the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea and adjacent islands, with the western parts of Macedonia as far south as Epirus. Philip of Macedon conquered the country as far as the river Drilon (modern Drino), and thence arose the division into Illyris Grffea and Illyris Bar bara, afterwards Romana. The former. now Al bania (q.v.), was incorporated with -Macedonia. Illyris Barbara or Romana was divided into Iapydia. Liburnia. and Dalmatia. The Illyrians were ranch addicted to piracy-, which soon brought them into collision with the Romans. who waged a successful war against the Illyrian Queen, Tenta. in B.C. 229. About n.c. IfiS the southern Illyrians became subject to Rome. but the subjugation of the northern 111yrians was not effected until the time of Augustus. Under the Roman Empire the country of the Illyrians, under the name of Dalmatia (in the wider sense), formed the southern part of the diocese of 111yr icum, which extended as far north as the Dan ube.. It is represented in modern times by part
of Croatia, nearly all of Bosnia, Dalmatia, Herze govina, Montenegro, and a part of Albania. Under Constantine the prefecture of 111yricum embraced a great part of the Roman dominions in Europe east of the Adriatic. A decree of Na poleon, October 14, 1809, organized the dominion known as the Illyrian Provinces, erected out of territories taken from Austria. It comprised Carniola, part of Carinthia, most of Croatia, Dalmatia, Istria, Fiume, etc. At his fall these provinces were united as a kingdom to the Aus trian Empire, and some alterations were made in its boundaries. The kingdom was divided into the two governments of Laibach and Triest, Lai bach being the capital, which arrangement sub sisted till 1S49, when it was subdivided. for ad ministrative purposes, into the duchies of Carin thia and Carniola, and the coast district, contain ing Gorz and Gradisca, Istria and Triest.