The Commanders of the Indigenous Population during Octavian’s Campaign in Illyricum (35–33 BC)

The works of Greco-Roman writers contain little information about the representatives of the local aristocracy who led the indigenous communities during Octavian’s campaign in Illyricum (35–33 BC). We will use prosopographic analysis to try to understand what the internal organization of the indigenous communities or alliances was like. A panegyric written in honor of Octavian’s legate, M. V. Messalla, potentially hides the name of an Iapodian leader. This is Domator, who is associated with the Iapodian community of the Arupini, whose military skills Appian has great respect for. However, during the period of the Octavian wars, there are two names that particularly stand out – the commanders from the Delmataean alliance, Verso and Testimus. Thanks to Appian, we know that the aforementioned Delmataean commanders led two armies, which points to the existence of a complex organization of the Delmataean alliance. Through the analysis of the military operations near Promona, Sinotium, and Setovia, we get a new perspective of the commanders of the indigenous communities.