Revisiting Facts and History of the Ancient Greek City of Butrint

Butrint is an ancient Greek city which was later turned into a Roman town and, at last, a bishopdom in the times of Epirus. Today the city is part of the Republic of Albania and is located only about twenty kilometres from the town of Sardana. It is a massive attraction to the people visiting Albania and the residents. Butrint is full of historical importance, archaeological ruins, vintage monuments, and an excellent atmosphere surrounding the whole area. It is a retreat for history adventurers and people looking for a secluded and quaint vacation spot. It is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The history of this city is engraved in ruins existing in the town, and some say that it has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The History of Butrint

Butrint or historically known as Buthrotum, is an abandoned heritage site standing on the shores of the land of Epirus. The history can be traced back to 50,000 BC, and the ground stands as a miniature or small-scale picture of what used to exist in Butrint. The area of Butrint is of considerable significance because it was part of the Greeks, then the Romans, and later as the bishopdom of Epirus. Butrint is located atop a hill overlooking the Vivari Channel, and the city is the most important archaeological site in Albania.

• Greek Butrint

Known as Bouthorton in the time of the Greeks, it was first settled during the Bronze Age and was an important centre for the tribe of Chaonians and their whole tribe. Archaeological proofs give us an idea of a temple sanctuary on the site, which dates back to the 5th century, and it is believed that the temple could’ve been dedicated to the God of thunder, Zeus. The findings from the ruins let us know that this was once part of the Corcyra city of the Greeks.

• Ancient Roman period 

After the end of Greek rule and influence over the city of Butrint, the Roman empire took over it. Butrint became a part of the Roman Empire in 44 BC and was taken into Macedonia. Butrint was a colony for Roman soldiers Caesar praised for fighting against Pompey in the Battle of Pompey. The city thrived until an earthquake struck and destroyed it.

Butrint was abandoned for a long time until the Byzantines captured it in the 9th century; then, it was under the control of Venetians in the 14th century. At last, it came under the Ottoman empire and was fortified by Ali Pasha at the start of the 19th century to strengthen it. The Ottoman Empire later ruled over Butrint before it was fully abandoned.

The Tribe of Chaonians 

The tribe of Chaonians was the tribe of ancient Greek in the Bronze Age; they had much influence on the land of Butrint and ruled over the Epirus area. Virgil’s Aeneid details that Chanon was the ruler of the Tribe of Chaonians. The Chaonians were one of 14 tribes that were very important during Epirus. Still, since they were very powerful, the Chaonians rose to prominence, and by the 5th BC, they had combined the other tribes, Molassians and Thesprotians, into their own and became the most powerful tribe in the Greek. The Chaonians fell when the Romans attacked their region and took over the land of Butrint in 170 BC.

The Decline in Late Antiquity

Late Antiquity is generally related to the Byzantines and the fall of Rome. During the Late Antiquity, classical civilisations were coming to an end. It was the start of the middle ages; it was a period of transformation of cultures and changed the ages. According to the historian Peter Brown, Late Antiquity happened from the 3rd century AD to the 8th century AD. During the decline in the Late Antiquity period, Butrint saw a decrease in its population too. The earthquake of 4th century BC had already destroyed the city of Butrint, and many citizens had left it.

Conclusion

Butrint is now an abandoned UNESCO heritage site with much archaeological importance. Once upon a time, the city of Butrint was the hotspot of activity and is among the oldest cities in the world. The historically rich abandoned land serves as a great reminder of the past. All the empires and the people who took over the city of Butrint and their fall, the half-destroyed monuments and ruins still erect in the area, tell us all about it. The findings from the city by the archaeology department show the history of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman people.