DARDANI

: ''See also: Dardan''

The 'Dardani' were an ancient Indo-European tribe that lived in Dardania They were likely of mixed Illyrian-Thracian descent, as indicated by both archaeological evidence and classical references. They are sometimes referred to as a Celtic tribe as well, though archaeology does not indicate this.
The distribution of ancient names found inscribed in Dardania are one of the main evidences that support the idea that the Dardani were Thracians commingled with Illyrians. Thracian names are found mostly in eastern Dardania, from Scupi to Naissus and Remesiana, although some Illyrian names occur. Illyrian names are dominant in the western areas, where Thracian names are not found [1].
In Greek mythology Δάρδανος (''Dardanus''), one of the sons of Illyrius (the others being Enchelus, Autarieus, Maedus, Taulas, and Perrhaebus) was the eponymous ancestor of the Δάρδανοι (''Dardanoi'') .^[1]
The element ''Dardan'' appears to be found in the toponymy of both the Illyrians (''Dardi, Dardani'') and the Thracians (''Dardanos, Darda-para'') and it has been suggested to be related to the modern Albanian word ''dardha'' (meaning 'a pear').
Durham says regarding this derivation that "... we may derive Dardania from an Illyrian word meaning "pear", a word similar to the modern Albanian "dardhe," ... . There are three Dardhes in high Albania close to the Drin, which in Strabo's day was navigable as far as Dardania. And this part of the land being very mountainous has, I believe, been continuously inhabited by people of Albanian (more or less Illyrian) blood and has been continuously Albanophone.
Beyond the Drin the plain lands fell completely under Serb rule for a long period and has now agan reverted to Serbia. Here also we find many pear names, but they are Serbised as Krushevo and Krushevatz. The accompanying sketch map gives the chief ones which fall within old Dardania. One, which was called Krusha e vogele, when I passed it in 1908, was a transition form, "krusha" being Serb and "e vogele" Albanian -- the little pear. By now it has doubtless become "Krusha mala" -- Serb again. The wild crab-pear is common in these lands, hard and astringent, but with a pear flavour. ... The pear is used as a traditional embroidery pattern. ... The family name of Pope Sixtus V. (1585-1590) was Peretti. He was the child of refugees driven from "a place in Schiavonia" called Krushevo, which name they Italianised and adopted."
Some Roman writers proposed a connection between these Dardani of the Balkans and the Dardans (Trojans) of the Troad, the popular version of the story being that a group of Dardan colonists had settled in the Balkans and had degenerated in their new Balkan home to a state of barbarism, becoming the Dardani. This idea has not been verified by historians. [2]

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References

1. Appian, ''The Foreign Wars, III, 1.2''


★ Durham, M. Edith, ''Dardania and Some Balkan Place-Names'', Man, Vol. 23 (Mar., 1923), pp. 39-42

★ Macurdy, Grace Harriet, ''The Wanderings of Dardanus and the Dardani'', Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, Vol. 46 (1915), pp. 119-128

★ Wilkes, John, ''The Illyrians'', Blackwell Books, 1992. pg. 86 [1]; pg. 145 [2].

External links

★ Maps of Ancient Dardania