Acropolis of Apollonia in Albania, Ancient Hellenic Remains

Apollonia of Illyria, or "Apollonia near Epidamnus" (modern-day Durrës, Albania), was an ancient city and a prominent Corinthian colony founded in the 6th century BCE. Its strategic location near the Aous River (modern Vjosë River) on the Adriatic Sea made it a key hub for trade, connecting Greece with the interior regions of the Balkans and the broader Mediterranean world.

The city was founded by Greek settlers from Corinth and Corcyra (modern Corfu) during a period of intense Greek colonisation in the western Balkans.

Its foundation aimed to secure Greek interests in the region, especially given its proximity to the important city of Epidamnus (later known as Dyrrachium). Apollonia was often referred to as "Apollonia towards Epidamnus" to distinguish it from other cities named Apollonia in the ancient Greek world.

Apollonia's prosperity was largely driven by its agricultural productivity, particularly grain production, and its role as a commercial centre. The city became one of the wealthiest Greek colonies in the western Balkans, and its population grew to include both Greeks and Illyrians, forming a diverse and vibrant society.

The city's location also made it a crucial stop on the Via Egnatia, the Roman road connecting the Adriatic coast to Byzantium (modern Istanbul).

During the Roman period, Apollonia became a major intellectual centre known for its schools of rhetoric and philosophy. The future Roman emperor, the young Octavian (later Augustus) was sent to study there in the 1st century BCE.

Despite its initial prosperity, Apollonia's fortunes began to decline in the later Roman period, particularly due to changes in the course of the Aous River, which affected its harbour, and the rise of nearby Dyrrachium as a more important centre of commerce.

By the 4th century CE, Apollonia had largely fallen into ruin, though it remains an important archaeological site today, offering valuable insights into the interactions between Greek settlers and the indigenous Illyrian populations.

The article first appeared in TROY (TROİA) and ancient civilizations.

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