Quote:
Originally Posted by ScutariShkoder
It has been repeatedly and constanty proven by non-biased(non-Albanian,non-Macedonian,non-Greek,non-Serb)that Albanians are indeed Illyrians. Now, Im not saying were direct-descendant pure Illyrians but you cant deny that the vast majority of Albanians are predominately Illyrian. Our proper name is ARBERIA, an Illyrian word. The Albanians of Southern Italy who escaped prior to the arrival of Turks during the 1400s in order to maintain their christian religion are called Arberesh. Albanians call ourselves SHQIPTARES as in people of the eagle. The term Albanians originates from the Illyrian tribe Albanoi who occupied what is now Central Albania. Overall Albanians are a mix of Illyrian, Dacian, Thracian, and Pelasgian.
proof:
origin of the Albanians: Information from Answers.com
"In the 2nd Century BC, the History of the World written by Polybius, mentions a city named Arbon in present day central Albania. The people who lived there were called Arbanios and Arbanitai.In the 1st Century ADAD, Pliny mentions an Illyrian tribe named Olbonenses.In the 2nd century AD, Ptolmey the geographer and astronomer from Alexandria, drafted a map of remarkable significance for the history of Illyria. This map shows the city of Albanopolis (located south of Durres). Ptolemy also mentions the Illyrian tribe named Albanoi, who lived around this city."
Illyrian--Albanian
ren -- re
dard--dardhë
toka--tokë
las--lesh
mal--mal
vasa--vashë
ves--vesh
cuza-cucë
nat--natë
ara--arrë
frim--frymë
ra--ra
caj--qaj
nis-nis
roj--rroj
leh--lind (lehem in Geg)
venedi--vendi
hyll--yll
bardi-bardhë
fimia-fëmijë
lissius-lisi
Even our names are ILLYRIAN:
Agron
Arben
Teuta
Gentian(a)
Ardian(a)
Yllka
Gertian
Shkelzen
Madena
Arion
Bardhyll
Ilir(iana)
Alban(a)
Dardan
Ylber
If you would like to contradict this with some facts [edit: unnecessary comment deleted] about how some place in Azerbijistan(sp?) or Scotland is called Albania, lets hear it, Modern Albanian is an Indo-European language. The Udi language, which is believed to be the modern descendant of the language of the ancient caucasian Albanians, is a caucasian language, so that theory goes out the window.
Overall its undeniable that Albanians are descendants of the ancient Illyrians. |
I am part Arbëreshë, with my genealogical history of that branch of my family going back roughly 700 years.
Within those records, there is no Slavic, Turk, Chechen or any other regional influence, beside potentially Greek, in all of those years being there.
I cannot verify the Turkish influence, given the fact that the branch of my family from there left Albania when Skanderbeg was killed, of which they were isolated in Italy from there on out, but to that point there was absolutely no other influence.
But, if you want proof, have the DNA talk. Enough analysis will prove whether or not they were strongly connected, and talk of the Albanoi is true or not.
Based on my understanding, i'd hedge a bet it is.