Monunius II of Dardania
| Monunius | |
|---|---|
| King Monunius | |
.svg) |
|
| Reign | c.176 BC -c. 167 BC |
| Predecessor | Bato |
| Ancient Greek | Μονούνιος |
| Father | Longarus |
Monunius (Ancient Greek Μονούνιος; ruled c. 176 – 167 BC) was an Illyrian king of the Dardanian State who lived in the late 3rd century BC and early 2nd century BC. Monunius attested first in 176 BC was the son of Longarus, a Dardanian king who caused much trouble to Macedonia from 230 BC onwards. He succeeded his brother Bato to the Dardanian throne. Monunius was known for his victory he inflicted on the Bastarnae during the Bastarnae Invasion of Dardania.
Etuta the daughter of Monunius married the Ardiaean King Gentius in 169 BC. Since the dynastic marriage relations seem not to have brought an alliance between the two Illyrian States, in 168 BC Gentius allied with Perseus, the enemy of his father-in-law. Many Dardanian kings of the same time were named Monunius and there seems to be some confusion as to whom certain actions and events pertain.
Since it was difficult to defeat the Dardanians militarily, Philip V drew up a plan to get the large Germanic/Celtic tribe of the Bastarnae against them. While on campaign in Thrace in 184 BC Philip sent agents to stir up the barbarians along the river Danube, that they might invade Italy. Two years later Philip was pleased to learn that the Bastarnae had accepted his alliance and were offering a princess in marriage for one of his sons, Perseus as it turned out. This formidable people, dwelt beyond the lower Danube but were often willing to join in expeditions far from their homelands. The following year Philip mass deportations from Paeonia where he filled the towns with Thracians and other barbarians, as being likely to remain more securely loyal to him in the coming hour of danger., that is war with Rome. In fact Philip's purpose for the Bastarnae was more specific to the security of Macedonia: They were to invade and eject the Dardanians under Monunius and take over their country, and later continue on their way through Illyria, finally reaching Italy. Livy (XL, 574-9) writes that Philip's purpose was to wipe out the Dardanians and settle the Bastarnae in their lands (in the Polog valley), and send them to Italy and lay it waste, leaving their women and children in Dardania.
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