Several centuries of conflict with their Greek and Macedonian neighbours led the Illyrians to adopt much of their enemies' martial acumen and tactical skill. The old-fashioned heroic charge, favoured by barbarian cultures throughout the world along with the traditional warrior-hero ethos, was gradually replaced by a more Hellenistic order of battle, eschewing individual heroism for mass action as part of a hoplite phalanx. This required the Illyrians to learn a different way of fighting. Traditionally, spears were for throwing; the individual hurled a spear or some javelins before charging into battle to engage the enemy with his deadly sica sword. Now, it was to be used as a thrusting weapon whilst part of a tightly-packed body of men all fighting as one. Eventually, this new spear training proved highly successful, leading to a brief conquest of neighbouring Epirus and even the defeat of the regional Hellenic super-power, Macedon, under the aging Illyrian king, Bardyllis.
