Aeolians
The Aeolians (/iːˈoʊliənz/; Greek: Αἰολεῖς) were one of the four major tribes in which Greeks divided themselves in the ancient period (along with the Achaeans, Dorians and Ionians).[1][2]
Name[]
Their name mythologically derives from Aeolus, the mythical ancestor of the Aeolians and son of Hellen, the mythical patriarch of the Greek nation; it actually comes from Greek term aiolos (αίολος) meaning "quickly moving".[3] The dialect of ancient Greek they spoke is referred to as Aeolic.[2]
History[]
Originating in Thessaly, a part of which was called Aeolis, the Aeolians often appear as the most numerous amongst the other Hellenic tribes of early times.[2] The Boeotians, a subgroup of the Aeolians, were driven from Thessaly by the Thessalians and moved their location to Boeotia.[2] Aeolian peoples were spread in many other parts of Greece such as Aetolia, Locris, Corinth, Elis and Messinia.[2] During the Dorian invasion, Aeolians from Thessaly fled across the Aegean Sea to the island of Lesbos and the region of Aeolis, called as such after them, in Asia Minor.[2]
Early record[]
According to Herodotus, it was said that the Aeolians were previously called Pelasgians.[4]
See also[]
- Aeolian (disambiguation)
- Aeolic Greek
- Aeolis
References[]
Citations[]
Sources[]
- Hard, Robin (2004). The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology. London and New York: Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group). ISBN 0-415-18636-6.
- Smith, William (1856). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: Walter and Maberly.
- Aeolians
- Greek tribes
- Ancient tribes in Greece
- Ancient tribes in Thessaly
- Ancient tribes in Boeotia
- Ancient peoples of Anatolia