Teuta

Teuta was a formidable queen regnant of the Ardiaei tribe in Illyria, reigning from approximately two hundred thirty-one BC until around two hundred twenty-eight or two hundred twenty-seven BC. Following the death of her husband, Agron, in two hundred thirty-one BC, she took on the regency of the Ardiaean Kingdom, guiding her stepson Pinnes while continuing Agron's ambitious policies of expansion across the Adriatic Sea.

Her reign was marked by a significant conflict with the Roman Republic, primarily driven by the ongoing issues of Illyrian piracy that disrupted regional trade. The tensions escalated when the death of a Roman ambassador at the hands of Illyrian pirates provided Rome with a pretext to declare war against her in two hundred twenty-nine BC.

Teuta's leadership faced a critical challenge during the First Illyrian War, which culminated in her surrender in two hundred twenty-eight BC. As a result of the conflict, she was compelled to cede the southern parts of her territory and pay tribute to Rome. However, she managed to retain control over a realm situated north of Lissus, in present-day Lezhë, Albania.

It is important to note that the historical accounts of Teuta's life are often colored by the biases of ancient sources, predominantly written by Greek and Roman authors who held a generally hostile view towards the Illyrians and their queen.