Sanctuary of Armatus

Armatus was the god of war and, like many ancient peoples, his followers believed the best way to earn the favour of their god was through blood and sacrifice. Due to the records of the Roman historian Arrian, we have a clear picture of the Illyrian revolt against Macedon of 335BC, and the king who devised it, Cleitus the Illyrian. Realising that Alexander the Great was distracted elsewhere, he managed to convince several neighbouring states to join him in an uprising against their Greek-speaking rulers. In order to gain the favour of the Armatus, Cleitus sacrificed three girls, three boys and three rams just before the Battle of Pelion. Sadly, these offerings were not enough and despite some hard fighting the Illyrians were caught off-guard at night. Alexander led a small mobile force into their camp, slaughtering the rebels where they slept.