| Ceraunian Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Malet e Vetëtimës | |
 View fromÇikë | |
| Highest point | |
| Coordinates | 40°11′53″N19°38′20.27″E / 40.19806°N 19.6389639°E /40.19806; 19.6389639 |
| Geography | |
  Ceraunian Mountains | |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Triassic |
| Mountain type | Limestone |
TheCeraunian Mountains (Albanian:Malet e Vetëtimës,Albanian pronunciation:[ˈmaletevetəˈtiməs], 'Thunderbolt Mountains') are a coastalmountain range in southwesternAlbania, within theVlorë County.
The mountain range rises on the northeastern bank of theIonian Sea and protrudes into theAdriatic Sea. It extends for approximately 100 km (62 mi) in a southeast-northwest direction nearSarandë, along theAlbanian Riviera, close toOrikum. Geologically, theKaraburun Peninsula belongs to the Ceraunian Mountains, and is separated from the rest by theLlogara Pass (1,027 metres (3,369 ft)) forming the western part of the Ceraunian mountain range, calledAcroceraunian Mountains (Albanian:Malet Akrokeraune). The mountains are about 24 km (15 mi) long and about 4–7 km (2.5–4.3 mi) wide.[1] The highest peak isÇikë with an elevation of 2,044 metres (6,706 ft).[2][3]
In classical antiquity, the name of the mountains was recorded inAncient Greek asΚεραύνια ὄρηKeraunia ore,[4][5] meaning "thunder-split peaks".[6] The western part of the mountain chain is calledἈκροκεραύνιαAkrokeraunia, meaning 'Cape Thunder' which referred to the modernKaraburun peninsula. Both names Ceraunia and Acroceraunia illustrate the bad weather and the danger found there by ancient seafarers and travellers.[7] Moreover, the Acroceraunian promontory located on the western side of the bay of Vlorë (ancient Aulon) equates to the modern Karaburun Peninsula also known as cape Linguetta.[8]
InLatin the name of the mountains was recorded asCeraunii montes orAcroceraunii montes. In Albanian, the native name of the mountains isMalet e Vetëtimës, whileMalet Akrokeraune contains the ancient name.[9] InModern Greek the name of the mountains isΚεραύνια ΌρηKeraunia Ori.
The range consists of Çikë 2,045 m (6,709 ft) and Qorre 2,018 m (6,621 ft), which are the roughest and most rugged parts of the southwestern relief, due to their extension in theIonian andSazan tectonic zones. The mountain range is divided by dry streams and deep abysses, with sparsely covered vegetation, dominated by pine trees (up to 600–800 m) in the lower part and conifers (black pine, spruce, hemlock, etc.) in the upper part.[10]
In classical antiquity, the Ceraunian Mountains represented a natural border between the historical and geographical regions ofIllyria andEpirus.[11] As a border region to the north of these mountainsIllyrian populations were located, while the Epirotes, in particular theChaonians, were located in the south of these mountains.[12]
InHellenistic times,Çikë formed the southern border of the territory ofOricum. In that period Çika also separated the territory of Oricum from the tribe of theAmantes to the east, who built the fortified settlement ofCerje beyond Shëngjergji Pass.[13]
The Akrokeraunian peninsula had the most important stone quarries in Illyria.[14] Most of the quality limestone used for the construction of temples and monuments inApollonia, in particular, came from there, perhaps after the conquest ofThronion c. 450 BC.[15]
According toAncient Greek mythology, theAbantes fromEuboea who had previously joined the Ancient Greek army in theTrojan War settled in the Ceraunian Mountains. They were later expelled by the forces fromApollonia.[16]
The Ceraunian Mountains have been described by ancient writers such asPtolemy,Strabo andPausanias. Consequently, the mountains are still known under their classical name.Julius Caesar first set foot on Llogara Pass and rested his legion atPalaeste on the Ionian coast during his pursuit ofPompey.[citation needed]
During the 15th-16th centuries the warlike community of the region ofHimara emerged.[17]
Zeus, the central figure of theGreek Pantheon, was associated with the Ceraunian Mountains being a popular deity among the Chaonians as well as the rest of northern Greece asZeus Chaonius.[18]
It was said thatGeryones guarded his cattle in those mountains.[19]
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Morton, Jamie (18 September 2017).The Role of the Physical Environment in Ancient Greek Seafaring. BRILL. p. 77.ISBN 978-90-04-35107-3.
