Monunius I of Dardania

Who is Monunius I of Dardania?

Monunius was an Illyrian king of the Dardanian State. As a figure, Monunius has left more archaeological traces than historical ones. Monunius was a strong opponent of Macedonia but offered aid of 10,000 soldiers to Ptolemy Keraunos during the Gallic Invasions, which was refused. The Dardanian State headed under Monunius ranked among the strongest in the Balkans at that time. The invasions of the Gauls through the Balkans did not affect the Dardanians as much as the Macedonians while they even whipped out a few of their forces when they return northwards.

In 281 BC Monunius entered into an alliance with Pyrrhus. Their joint interests against a strong Macedonia had induced Pyrrhus to accept as his ally Monunius. He is the first Illyrian to have struck his own silver coins after probably gaining control over the Taulantii State and the Greek colonies on the coast. The king was buried in the Royal Tombs of Selca e Poshtme in the city of Pelion. A helmet with an inscription in Greek letters found in modern Ohrid and silver coins bearing both the king's and Macedonian symbols indicates the inspirations of the Monunius for Macedonia, perhaps in the time of confusion following the Gallic invasions. After the death of Ptolemy's death, Monunius might have taken the Macedonian throne for a brief period.