Nymphæum or Nymphaion (
Ancient Greek: Νυμφαῖον, Νύμφαιον or Νυμφαίη;
Latin: Nymphaeum) was an ancient harbour on the coast of
Illyria, three miles to the north of
Lissus.[1][2][3] The site has been identified with the area of modern day
Shëngjin,
Albania.[4][5]
Perhaps emerged since the 5th century BC, Nymphaeum would have been presumably one of the earliest
Greek colonies on the Albanian coast.[6] The harbor of Nymphaeum was mentioned by
Pliny the Elder (23 CE – 79),
Lucanus[7] (39 AD – 65 AD),
Livy (59 BC – AD 17) and
Julius Caesar[8] (100 BC - 44 BC). The harbour was used by
Marcus Antonius and his fleet when they arrived in Illyricum during
Caesar's Civil War.[4]