ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Thraco-Illyrian

Thraco-Illyrian refers to an ancient group of people who lived in parts of Europe, specifically the Balkans, many years ago. They were called Thraco-Illyrian because they were a mixture of two cultures: the Thracians and the Illyrians.

To understand what Thraco-Illyrian means, let's pretend that you and your friend are playing with toys. You both have different kinds of toys, but you like to play together. Your friend has cars, and you have animals. One day, you mix your toys together and make your own game with both types of toys. That's what happened with the Thraco-Illyrian people. The Thracians and the Illyrians mixed their cultures to make a new group of people.

The Thracians and Illyrians had their own languages, religions, and ways of life. The Thracians were known for being skilled warriors, and the Illyrians were known for their farming and trading. When they mixed together, they shared their customs and traditions. They also created new languages, which included words from both cultures.

The Thraco-Illyrian people were spread out over a large area and had different groups within them. They had their own rulers and leaders who governed their communities. They built cities, homes, and temples where they worshipped their gods.

Eventually, other groups of people invaded their lands, and the Thraco-Illyrian people were no longer a distinct group. However, their culture and legacy live on, and we can learn about their way of life by studying their artifacts and writings.