Maezaeis

Homeland of the Maezaeis (below Catari, yellow mark)

Maezaeis position among Ilirian tribes

Maezaeis or Maizaioi or Mazaioi (Old-Greek: Μαζαῖοις) were Illyrians subtribes Pannonias.^[1] They were the autochthonous Illyrian tribe, which inhabited the interior of today's Bosnia and Herzegovina, mainly in the basin Sana and the middle course Vrbas river, approximately around Vrbanja and Ugar (550., BC – 300). AC.y^[2]

This area is on the maps of the time referred to as Donji Kraji (Lower end-lands). Some areas of this territory was shared with edition , Dassaretaes and Autariatess. They were borderline with the Dardans (east), Iapodes (west, around Una river and Krka waterfalls) Iasis, Colapians and Varsians (north: Sava - Drava - Danube), and Liburni and Delmatae (south), Breuci (northeast: today's Slavonia) and Deriops (south: around Jajce and Pliva).

Like other Illyrians, Mezei lived in strong or semi-fortified settlements, living on agriculture, hunting and fishing . Ancient writers (Herodian, Livy, Pliny, Strabo, Theophrastus and others) Illyrians described as people of high growth, strong warriors, and heavy drinkers. They did not maintain personal hygiene, and who lived in patriarchate based contributions communities. According to them, every eight years they shared the land (territory), divided into each other's struggles and resistance to the enemy. Maizaioi have had 269 judges.

Among Illyrians matter "are the most famous Dassaretae, Mezei, Daors, Dalmatae, Iapodes, Ardian, Autariates, Deuri, Deretins ...".^[3]

Romans, when they won the first Dalmatia islands (229. y. BC), was founded his province Illyricum. After tough Illyrian resistance to their invasion into the interior, finally won the country a significant King and Gentius (Gentius, 167 or 168 BC). An entire, in bloody battles, were able to penetrate the interior of Illyria.^[4]

Gradually, Rome won the interior region of the Balkans and Mezei. This centuries-Illyrian drama ended between 6th and 9th AD, and took place at the center of today's Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was a well-known Bellum Batonianum – Batonian uprising (named after the two leaders – namesake: Dassaretaeian and Breucian Buttons). The last time they reunited many Illyrian tribes and, according to Roman chroniclers, through the Rome circulated a panic stories about 800,000 insurgents, including 200,000 elite soldiers and 8,000 horsemen.^[5] The uprising was caused by the forced mobilization of the Illyrians in the Roman army.

See also

• List of ancient tribes in Illyria

References

1. Wilkes, J. J. (1992): The Illyrians, ISBN 0-631-19807-5.
2. Šašel Kos M., Kos P., Talbert R., Gillies S., Elliott T., Becker J.. Places: 197364: Maezaei. Pleiades.
3. Benac A., Ed. (1986): Bosna i Herzegovina / Bosnia and Herzegovia / Bosnien und Herzegowina. Svjetlost, Sarajevo.
4. Šentija J. (1977): Opća enciklopedija Jugoslavenskog leksikografskog zavoda, 3: Foc-Iw. Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod, Zagreb. (General Encyclopedia of the Yugoslav Lexicographic, 3: Foc-lw. Yugoslav Lexicographic Institute, Zagreb.)
5. Benac A., Ed. (1986): Bosna i Hercegovina / Bosnia and Herzegovia / Bosnien und Herzegowina. Svjetlost, Sarajevo.