The Civic Life and the Ancient Cities of South Albania in Archeological-Historical Point of View

The south part of Albania has a significant archaeological wealth represented by the ancient cities and multi fortified civic centre. From the Keraune mountains in (Llogara) up to Kestrinoi (Vrine) was raised a series of castles, ancient towns and cities as the castle of Himara, Sopot, Kalivos, Vagalati, Selo, Lekli, Foinike city, Butroti, Antigone, Cuka Ajtojt, Onhezmi etc. . This southern region of Illyria has an individuality of its own culture and constitutes a strong bridge connecting the north and Illyrian civilization with Epirus and Hellenic in south. The genuine Illyria city in this area is formed by the end of the V-th century B. C mainly along the IV-th century B. C. During the IIIrd I-st century B. C. the completion of urban Butroti and Antigone, Foinike reached the highest excellence and an evident merchant development. Butrotiwas the center of Prasaibes tribe that appears wider in written ancient tradition. Foinike which is the greatest civilization, got a political significance importance, becoming the capital of the Republic of Epirus in III-rd century BC. Antigonea was the main civic center at Drinos Valley, Hrukea political site formed another unit in the koinoni type, as part of the biggest koinoni that stems from their economic and political relations of these major cities with each other. The regions where were born and developed these larger Illyrian cities suffered a vigorous process of urbanization that came from the development of internal socio-economic relations which were established in antique market, and the contacts with a wider Illyrian-Hellenic areal.