What is "grabaei"

Grabaei was a tribe in Illyria, somewhere in what is today Albania. They were mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD).

After Philip II of Macedon defeated Bardylis (358 BC), the Grabaei under Grabos became the strongest state in Illyria. Philip II killed 7,000 Illyrians in a great victory and annexed the territory up to Lake Ohrid. Next, Philip II reduced the Grabaei, and then went for the Ardiaei, defeated the Triballi (339 BC), and fought with Pleurias (337 BC).

After 9 AD, the remnants of Illyrian tribes moved to new coastal cities and larger and more capable civitates; the Grabaei (called Kambaioi) were among these, mentioned by Pliny the Elder.

Kretschmer etymologically connected their name to Slavic grabǔ, " hornbeam", with a cognate in Epirote Greek gabros (γάβρος, "oak-wood"), approved by most scholars (1924). Their name has been connected to Umbrian Krapuvi and Grabovie, gods of Iguvium. Gabraeum (Gabraion), a place in Epirus, may be connected to the tribe. The name of Grabus, the Taulantii ruler, suggests a connection with the tribe, and Hammond believes that Grabos was his descendant.