In the Illyrian Wars of 229 BCE and 219 BCE, Rome overruns the Illyrian settlements in the Neretva river valley and suppresses the piracy that has made the Adriatic unsafe for Italian commerce.

There are two campaigns, the first against Teuta and the second against Demetrius of Pharos.

The initial campaign in 229 BCE marks the first time that the Roman Navy crosses the Adriatic Sea to launch an invasion.