by US Albanian Media Group
The figure of Queen Teuta has always occupied a central place in Albanian historical memory, but it has almost never become the exclusive object of a complete and independent scientific study. For decades, she has been treated fragmentarily within the general Illyrian history or as a chapter of the Illyrian-Roman Wars. This “gap” in our historiography is finally filled by the researcher Adrian Progni with his newest book, “Teuta – Queen of the Sea”.
This work marks the first historical-scientific monograph in the Albanian language that focuses entirely on the figure of Teuta, bringing an exceptionally valuable contribution to Albanological studies.
Unlike previous publications, Progni’s book dares to strip the figure of Teuta from emotional interpretations or myths created over the centuries. Through a systematic comparison of ancient sources (such as Polybius, Appian and Livy) with contemporary international literature, the author poses fundamental questions that challenge the traditional version of history: was Teuta really a “pirate queen”, or was this simply a propaganda construct of Rome to legitimize the conquest of the Adriatic?
What was the real level of state and administrative organization of the Ardian kingdom; and what specific weight did Illyrian naval power have in the political balance of the Eastern Mediterranean. The author does not offer superficial answers, but builds a cold scientific analysis, avoiding ideological approaches.
The work is not limited to the portrait of the queen. It extends further, analyzing the rise of the Ardian dynasty, the consolidation of the state under King Agron, the structure of the army and navy, as well as the geopolitical consequences of the expansion of the Roman Republic in the Balkans. The book comes with a rich bibliographical apparatus, which makes it a strong point of reference for scholars, archaeologists and students of history.
At a time when Albanian antiquity is often politicized or presented in a fragmented manner, “Teuta – Queen of the Sea” comes as a testament to methodological maturity.
This publication does not aim to impose an absolute truth, but to stimulate new debates and a critical reading of the sources, inviting every reader to seriously get to know one of the most fascinating figures of our history and the place she occupied in the international arena of the ancient Mediterranean.
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