The Myth of Cadmus in Illyria

From the 5th century BCE onward

The myth of Cadmus features amongst the oldest narratives of Greek mythology, mentioned by Euripides (The Bacchae, 1330–1341) and Apollodorus (Bibliotheca, III, 5, 4). Closely linked with the foundation of Thebes, it recounts how Cadmus, a Phoenician prince, set out to find his sister Europa, abducted by Zeus, and in doing so founded new civilizations. According to ancient sources, after a reign marked by both greatness and tragedy, Cadmus and his wife Harmonia left Thebes and journeyed northwest, to the lands of the Illyrian tribe of the Enchelei — later known as the Desaretes — who inhabited the region around Lake Ohrid. Herein, myth and Illyrian history intertwine: Cadmus not only lived in Illyria but also fought neighboring tribes and founded a city. This is one of the rare cases where a Greek mythological figure becomes integrated into the local Illyrian mythic tradition. The Cadmus myth is unique in classical literature because it is the only Greek myth that explicitly situates Illyria as its mythical setting. No other Greek hero is so clearly portrayed in ancient sources as traveling to, ruling over, and settling in Illyrian lands. Ancient authors did not treat Illyria as an undefined frontier land but rather described the territory of the Enchelei (corresponding to the Pogradec–Ohrid region) as the very place where Cadmus lived and reigned. This precise geographic localization makes the myth profoundly significant for Illyrian mythology, even though its origins remain Phoenician and Greek. Through centuries of contact and cultural exchange well-attested by archaeology, the myth was adopted and reinterpreted by local Illyrian elites, who embraced Cadmus as their mythic ancestor.

One of the most intriguing archaeological finds linked to the Cadmus myth is a bronze belt plaque (22 × 5 cm) discovered among the grave goods of the rock-cut tombs at Lower Selca. The scene depicts a standing warrior with his right arm raised, hurling a spear. To his right and left stand two soldiers mounted on horses. All three figures wear Illyrian-style helmets and carry Macedonian-type shields. A fallen warrior lies besides the horseman on the left, whereas a monstrous creature is depicted running towards the right-hand side horse, whereby a bird is shown taking flight. At the left edge appears a large serpent, with its scaly body coiled twice and its head raised and turned toward the horseman, as though offering him protection.

The figure of Cadmus metamorphosed into a serpent embodies the positive forces of military protection and ancestral guardianship — values deeply resonant with Illyrian beliefs. Objects such as the Selca belt plaque visually echo this symbolism. Although the myth itself is not of local origin, it was naturally assimilated into Illyrian culture by virtue of harmonizing with their traditional symbols and worldview. Cadmus, as a “marginal” hero, became an intermediary figure — representing the passage from chaos to order, from wilderness to civilization. In this sense, he emerged as a cultural archetype, a trans-Balkan hero whose significance transcended linguistic and ethnic boundaries, bridging worlds through myth.

In today’s context, the myth of Cadmus conveys several particularly important messages, such as the model of coexistence and the coordination of cultures. Although it belongs to a culture that is not indigenous, this myth finds a place and meaning in a new land, reflecting the ability of communities to adopt and adapt according to local beliefs and symbols. The embrace of the cult of Cadmus and its integration into the local reality demonstrates an early need to create cultural continuity and rooted identity. Even today, this myth can serve as inspiration for recognizing and preserving cultural heritage, helping to build a strong and conscious identity.