The Illyrians
Wilkes (archaeology, Univ. of London) has tackled the difficult task of presenting a people whose scarce artifacts lack the grandeur of other ancient societies and whose ethnic origins and relationships are still a matter for scholarly debate. The first chapter, a history of Illyrian studies, explains how present-day rivalries among Balkan ethnic groups have turned research into a matter of national pride, with some resultant distortion of facts. Relying on archaeological evidence and classical texts, the author then surveys the history (through late Roman times), material culture, religion, and customs of the tribes residing between the Adriatic and the Danube whom Greeks and Romans called Illyrians. Despite constant references to the region's geography, Wilkes provides only one small map to assist the reader; other titles in this series make much greater use of maps to indicate the locations or movements of peoples and pinpoint sites being discussed. Still, this is recommended for larger public and all academic libraries as a solid survey of the subject.-Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. System, Ft. Pierce, Fla.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.