Selloi

Selloi were inhabitants of Epirus of ancient Greece, in a region between Dodona - where existed the oldest reported oracle - and Achelous river. Aristotle names this area ancient Hellas. There the Selloi dwelt and those who were formerly called Graeci (Graekhes) and later Hellenes.[1] According to Homer, they were priests of the Dodonian Zeus. "King Zeus, lord of Dodona, god of the Pelasgi, who dwellest afar, you who hold wintry Dodona in your sway, where your prophets the Selloi dwell around you."[2]

Some Greek scholars assert that the name Selloi was modified to Sellanes (like Akarnanes)and then to Hellanes-Hellenes. (Compare PIE *sa(e)wol (or soh2wol,Lt.sol,Gk.helios,Sanskr.suryah.[3] A similar etymology applies for the name "Helen" probably derived from "Selene" (moon) and connected with the Vedic svarana (the shining one).[4]

References

  1. ^ Aristotle:Meteorologica Book 1 Part 14
  2. ^ Homer, Iliad book 16,233-235
  3. ^ Online Etymology Dictionary. "Sol"
  4. ^ Scutch Otto :The journal of Hellenic studies, Vol.107 (1987) pp.188-193 (Helen,her name and her nature)

See also