Apollonia is an ancient city in Illyria was found in 588 BC by the Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu. Initially it was called Gylakeia after the leader of the settlement expedition Gylax. Later it was renamed Apollonia as a dedication to Ancient god Apollo. It is hard to believe today, but at the time Apollonia as an important port city located at the mouth of Aous River (today Vjosë). Greeks from the mainland Greece had extensive trade relations with citizens of Apollonia and their neighbouring tribes.

Greeks managed to get along with local Illyrian tribes of Taulantii. In fact Aristotle cited Apollonia as an example of oligarchic system where a group of descendents of original colonists managed to rule over largely Illyrian population. Strabo in his Geographica called the city "exceedingly well- governed". Under Roman rule Apollonia grew even further. It was here that Octavian Augustus spend several years studied under patronage of Athenodorus of Tarsus. It is also in this city future emperor of Rome heard about murder of Julius Caesar in 44 BC.

During early Byzantine history Apollonia remained an important regional city. Its bishops were at the First Council of Ephesus (431) as well as the Council of Chalcedon in 451. However a series of earthquakes in the 3rd and 4th century AD changed a course of Aus River. The harbor became silted and over time turned into a malaria infested swamp. Apollonia was slowly abandoned over a course of several decades. Although first archeological digs started during World War I much of the city is still unexcavated and frequently draws illegal looters who unearth Apollonia's treasures.