Ancient Greek city states
Apollonia
Apollonia was an ancient Greek city located in Illyria (present-day Albania and Dalmatia). Its ruins are now found in the region of Fier, near the village of Pojan.
The city was founded in 588 BC by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth and gradually became one of the most important city-states of the period. The original name of the city was Gylaceia (after Glyax) and it was later renamed Apollonia (in honour of the god Apollo).
The city grew wealthy mainly due to the slave trade, profitable agriculture and a large port. It was said that up to a hundred ships could be moored in the Apollonian harbour at any one time. The city also had its own mint, and coins produced here have been found as far away as the Danube basin.