Dassaretae

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The Dassaretae (Greek: Δασσαρέται), or Dexaroi, (Greek Δεξάροι) were an ancient Greek tribe of Epirus on the border with Illyria.[1] They were the northern-most subtribe of the Chaonians.[2] Theopompus writes of fourteen Epirotian tribes, speakers of a strong west-Greek dialect,[citation needed] of which the Dexaroi were a part. The geographer Hecataeus of Miletus of the 6th century BC described the Dexaroi, the most northern Chaonian tribe, as a Greek-speaking people.[citation needed] Due to their close proximity with Illyria, they are sometimes mistaken for Illyrians.[citation needed] Their cities were Pelion, Antipatrea, Chrysondym, Gertous (or Gerous) and Creonion.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Wilkes, p. 98. "...the Epirote people of whom the Dexari or Dassaretae were the most northerly and bordered the Illyrian Enchelei, the 'eel-men', whose name points to a location near Lake Ohrid."
  2. ^ Smith, William (2006). A New Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology and Geography. Whitefish, MT, USA: Kessinger Publishing, LLC, page 423. 
  3. ^ Wilkes, p. 98. "According to Polybius (5.108), the Dassaretae possessed several towns, though none has yet been definitely located, including Pelion Antipatreia(probably Berat)Chrysondym,Gertous or Gerous and Creonion."

[edit] Sources

  • Smith, William. "A New Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology and Geography", p. 423.
  • Wilkes, J. J. The Illyrians. Blackwell, 1992. ISBN 0631198075