The Grabaei (also Kambaioi; Greek: Καμβαῖοι) were a minor Illyrian tribe who lived near Lake Skadar.
[6] 7,000 Illyrians were killed by Philip II's army in a great victory, annexing the territory up to Lake Ohrid.
[7] He then reduced the Grabaei, targeted another Illyrian king called Pleuratus (considered by some modern scholars an Ardiaean or Taulantian chieftain), defeated the Triballi (339 BC), and fought with Pleurias, king of the Autariatai (337 BC).
[8] 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.
[9] Kretschmer etymologically connected their name to Slavic grabǔ, "hornbeam", with a cognate in Epirote Greek gábros (γάβρος, "oak-wood").