The Illyrian kingdom of Bardylis (Bardhyllus), a tribal chief, becomes a formidable local power on the northwestern frontier of Macedon in the mid-fourth century BCE.

Bardyllis succeeds in bringing various tribes in a single organization and soon makes Dardania into a formidable power in the Balkans, resulting in 393 BCE in a change of relations with the Illyrians and Macedonians.

Unlike previous Illyrian kings, Bardylis combined military and economic developments.

His subjects, the Damastini, began to issue a fine silver coinage from around 395 BCE in the Illyrian city of Damastion, adopting a version of the standard and some emblems of the powerful Chalcidian League.

They also export silver in ingot form.

The Illyrians in 385 BCE attack the Molossians.

Dionysius of Syracuse aids the Illyrian attack in order to place Alcetas, a refugee in his court, on the throne.

Dionysius plans to control all the Ionian Sea.

Sparta intervenes on behalf of the Molossians despite having been aided by two thousand Greek hoplites and five hundred suits of Greek armor.

The Illyrians are defeated by the Spartans led by Agesilaus but not before ravaging the region and killing fifteen thousand Molossians.