Epirotians are the oldest Greek tribe. Our history begins 5.000 years B.C. Our land is situated in the Balkan peninsula between the North Western part of Greece and the South of Albania. The northern part of our land, the known NORTH EPIRUS is occupied by the ALBANIANS from 1914.
Ancient period: Our classic ancient history is dominated by the unification of the GREEK Epirotic tribes by the MOLOSSIAN (Epirotic tribe) King NEOPTOLEMOS in the early 1.900-1.550 B.C. The capital city of the ancient Epirotian kingdom was PASSARON. Some ruins of the city are located today near the modern capital IOANNINA.The niece of the Molossian King ARYBBAS, the beautiful OLYMPIAS was married with the King of MACEDONIA PHILIP II and gave birth to our national hero, the famous ALEXANDER the GREAT.
King Pyrros:The biggest King of Epirus was PYRROS. He contributed to the development of the region with the construction of temples and cultural buildings but his major occupation was the teritorial enlargement of Epirus. Inspired by the campaign of Alexander the Great in Asia, he planificated a similar campaign, in the west. He invaded Italy and confronted, the Roman Army. He won a lot of batles but after the excausting of his army by several diseases he was forced to return in Epirus. Then he enlarged Epirus in the south, occuping several territories. He was assasinated young in Pelloponisos.
Medieval Period: The next important historical period for Epirus, was during the Middle Ages.The Vyzantine Empire contribute to the development of the region, thousands of impressive churces were built all over Epirus. The Emperor JUSTINIAN founded in 527 A.C. the city of IOANNINA which became the capital of Epirus. During the Latin occupation of Greek Vyzantine territories, the habitants of Epirus confront the Catholic invaders and established a free kingdom. This kingdom was known as the DESPOTATE OF EPIRUS with capital the city of ARTA and first leader the prince MICHAEL KOMNINOS. |
