Iako se generalno o Ilirima ne zna mnogo, dobro je poznato da su ilirska plemena u dalekoj prošlosti naseljavala prostore Crne Gore. Najveće pleme su bili Docleati po kojima je nekadašnja kraljevina Duklja dobila ime. U ovoj regiji, na obalama Skadarskog jezera živjeli su Labeati. U njihovo vrijeme i samo jezero se zvalo Lacus Labeatis.  Bili su vješti pomorci i brodograditelji.

Although not much is known about the Illyrians in general, it is well known that the Illyrian tribes inhabited Montenegro in the distant past.  The largest tribe were the Docleati, after whom the former kingdom of Duklja was named.  In this region, on the shores of Skadar Lake, lived Labeati.  In their time, the lake itself was called Lacus Labeatis.  They were skilled sailors and shipbuilders.