Siege of Bassania
Location of Ancient Bassania
Date 168 BC Location Bassania Result Illyrian victory Territorial changes Bassania captured by Gentius forces
Belligerents
Illyrian Kingdom	Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Gentius	Algalsus Epicadus
Strength
15,000	unknown number of soldiers 80 ships
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

The siege of Bassania is a battle that took place between King Gentius and the Roman allied City Bassania in the Third Illyrian War.

Prelude

Following the peace treaty between Gentius and Perdicass of Macedon, Gentius declared war on Rome.^[1] One of the main cities that was allied to Rome in Illyria was Bassania. Bassania has said to have been 3 times the size of ancient Shkodër King Gents Capital city.^[2] This meant that Bassania had massive influence to the region and due to them being allied to Rome, Gentius had to act fast and take the city under his influence.It was the beginning of Spring when Anicius arrived in Illyria, to carry on the war against Gentius.^[3]

Siege

In reality we do not know much about the Siege of Bassania. All that is known, is that Gentius marched to Bassania with 15,000 of his men.^[4] Gentius gave them a chance to surrender but they preferred a siege rather then surrender to the Labeatae forces. Due to this attack Roman forces were alerted so Algalsus and Epicadus, 2 Roman generals in south Illyria were planning to march on Gentius with their forces from the Parthini to raise the siege.^[5] But this plan was cancelled after the Romans learned that 80 ships were waiting to attack the coast. They had been sent by Gentius on the advice of Pantauchus to devastate the fields of Apollonia and Dyrrhachium.^[6]

Aftermath

Due to Gentius' smart thinking and outsmarting the Romans, they were not able to act to the siege as they had to protect the coast. Due to Bassania getting no help from the Roman Republic they got defeated and ultimately has to subdue to Gentius's rule.^[7]

References