The natural spread of Hellenic culture due to the Illyrians' geographical proximity to the western Greek city-states and Macedon, along with centuries of warfare between their two cultures, ensured the Illyrians learned much from their city-dwelling neighbours. Gradually, their uncoordinated but brutally aggressive barbarian charge was transformed into the highly effective spear phalanx favoured by the Greeks. Learning the 'hoplite' fighting style took practice and drill; the solid mass of spearpoints had to be kept tight, each man learning to hold his position and balance so he could fight effectively. Furthermore, the phalanx had to move steadily as one and its weaker right-wing had to be protected against flanking manoeuvres from lighter enemy units. The Illyrian phalanx eventually became a force to be reckoned with. In 359BC, under their warrior-king, Bardyllis, it even defeated the mighty Macedonian war machine.
