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| Alexander the Great statue |
Researcher Lucia Nadin has unearthed a historically significant document—a testament attributed to Alexander the Great, in which he emphasizes his Illyrian lineage while addressing the people of Shkodra (modern-day Shkodër). This discovery sheds new light on Alexander's deep connections to the Illyrian people, specifically through his mother, Olympias, who is widely believed to have had Illyrian ancestry.
In this testament, Alexander the Great not only acknowledges his Illyrian heritage but also extends a remarkable gesture of gratitude to the Illyrians for their loyalty and courage in his conquests. The document, recently published by Nadin following her detailed research, reveals a unique relationship between the famed conqueror and the people of the Western Balkans. The content of the letter is striking, not only for its grandeur but also for its political implications at the time.
Alexander addresses the citizens of Shkodra with the following words:
“I, Alexander, son of Philip, King of the Macedonians, sovereign monarch of the Hellenic world, son of Zeus, conqueror of Persia, and ruler of lands from where the sun rises to where it sets, acknowledge my lineage from the Illyrians. As protector of the Illyrian people of Dalmatia, the Liburni, and others who share the same language, I extend my greetings to the people of Shkodra and all Illyrians. Your unwavering loyalty and fearlessness in battle have earned you my highest favor."
He goes on to make a grand promise:
"I grant to you dominion over all free lands from Akuilonit to the borders of southern Italy. No others shall claim these territories, and those who attempt to do so shall serve as slaves to you and your descendants. This promise, written by my hand, is made in the twelfth year of my reign, from the citadel of Alexandria on the Nile, under the auspices of the gods Zeus, Mars, Pluto, and Minerva."
The testament also includes the names of notable witnesses—Athlete, My Lolotheti, and eleven other nobles, whom Alexander appoints as his chosen successors to rule the world after his death, as he claims to have no heirs.
This revelation not only provides evidence of Alexander's connection to the Illyrians but also suggests a broader political strategy that acknowledged and solidified alliances with various ethnic groups across his empire. The testament, discovered and translated by Nadin, was presented in her research work "The Statute of Scutari, the first half of the 16th century with additions granted in 1469," published in Rome in June 2002.