List of ancient Greek tribes
The ancient Greek tribes (Ancient Greek: Ἑλλήνων ἔθνη) were groups of Greek-speaking populations living in Greece, Cyprus, and the various Greek colonies. They were primarily divided by geographic, dialectal, political, and cultural criteria, as well as distinct traditions in mythology and religion. Some groups were of mixed origin, forming a syncretic culture through absorption and assimilation of previous and neighboring populations into the Greek language and customs.
With the dominion of land passing on from one tribe to the other, cultural exchange through art and trade, and frequent alliances toward common goals, the ethnic character of the different tribes had become primarily political by the dawn of the Hellenistic period. The Roman conquest of Greece, the subsequent division of the Roman Empire into Greek East and Latin West, as well as the advent of Christianity, molded the common ethnic and political Greek identity once and for all to the subjects of the Greek world by the 3rd century AD.
Greek tribes
Homeric and Late Bronze Age (before circa 800 B.C.)
- Achaeans and Mycenaeans
- Curetes
- Aethikes
- Lapiths
- Minyans
- Telchines
- Bottiaeans
- Taphioi (or Teleboes)
- Aemones or Aimones
- Cadmeans
- Kylikranes
- Epeioi (el)
- Phlegyes? (el)
- Minoan Cretans
- Philistines
- Leleges
- Pelasgians (Ancient Greeks saw them as an older pre-Greek people)
- Perrhaebi
- Eordeans
- Dryopes
- Caucones
- Kranaoi
- Yantes
- Temmikes
- Aones
- Cynurians - They lived in Cynuria (East Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Aegialians
Iron Age: Archaic and Classical Greece (from circa 800 B.C.)
- Hellenes
- Central and Eastern Greek tribes (Aeolians, Achaeans and Ionians)
- Achaeans (Broader sense) - They lived in Eastern, East Central and Southern Greece (Mycenean Greece) before Dorian migrations or Dorian invasions (after that most Achaeans were displaced or assimilated by Dorians in Southern Greece regions, except for Arcadia). They spoke Mycenean Greek that was the ancestor of Aeolic, Arcado-Cypriot and Ionic greek dialects of Classical Greece.
- Central Greek tribes (Aeolians and Achaeans)
- Aeolians - They spoke Aeolic Greek dialects (archaic dialects that preserved some Mycenean Greek features).
- Thessalians - They lived in Thessaly (Thessalia/Aeolia). Mount Olympus is on the border between Thessaly and Macedon.
- Perrhaebi (Perraiboí) - They lived in Perrhaebia, Thessaly's northernmost district.
- Histiaeoteans - They lived in Histiaeotis, Thessaly's Northwest district.
- Boeotians - They lived in Boeotia
- Lesbians - They lived in Lesbos Island.
- Asia Minor Aeolians - They lived in Aeolis, Northwestern Anatolian coast.
- Thessalians - They lived in Thessaly (Thessalia/Aeolia). Mount Olympus is on the border between Thessaly and Macedon.
- Achaeans (Narrower sense) (Arcado-Cyprian tribes) - They spoke Arcado-Cypriot Greek dialects (archaic dialects that preserved some Mycenean Greek features).
- Arcadians - They lived in Arcadia (Central Peloponnese Peninsula) and were a pre-Dorian invasion or Dorian migration Greek tribal confederation.
- Azanes
- Triphylians - They were a group of three tribes (Tri - Three, Phylai -Tribes) that lived in Western Peloponnese, in southern part of Elis (south of Alpheiós river) but saw themselves as Arcadians and not Eleans.
- Amphidolians
- Letrinians
- Marganians
- Cypriots - They lived in Cyprus Island
- Pamphylians - They lived in Pamphylia (South-West Anatolia).
- Arcadians - They lived in Arcadia (Central Peloponnese Peninsula) and were a pre-Dorian invasion or Dorian migration Greek tribal confederation.
- Aeolians - They spoke Aeolic Greek dialects (archaic dialects that preserved some Mycenean Greek features).
- Eastern Greek tribes (Ionians)
- Ionians - They spoke Ionic Greek dialects (basis of the Greek Koiné and his descendant Modern Greek).
- Attics - They lived in Attica
- Euboeans (West Ionians) - They lived in Euboea Island.
- Abantes
- Chalcidicians, Euboeans - They lived in the Peninsula of Chalcidicia (many were descendants from Euboean colonies from the cities of Chalcis and Eretria).
- Cycladic Ionians (Central Ionians) - They lived in Cyclades Islands. Delos Island that had the important Delos sanctuary was in this group of islands.
- Chalcidicians, Cycladians - They lived in the Peninsula of Chalcidicia (many were descendants from a colony from Andros Island).
- Asia Minor Ionians (East Ionians) - They lived in Ionia, Western Anatolian coast.
- Magna Graecia Ionians - They lived in Magna Graecia.
- Catanians - They lived in Catania (many were descendants from a Euboean colony from the city of Chalcis).
- Sirisians - They lived in Siris in Lucania/Basilicata eastern coast (many were descendants from a colony from the city of Colophon).
- Cumaeans - They lived in Cumae, that was founded by settlers from Euboea island (from Chalcis and Eretria cities). It was one of the Greek colonies that most influenced ancient Etruscan and Roman cultures, namely by the introduction of the Alphabet. Cumae by itself was the Metropolis of other poleis in southern Italy coast, including Nea Polis (New City), today's Naples (it was to the West and close of Naples).
- Neapolitans - They lived in Naples (many were descendants from Rhodean and Ionic colonies, the last ones were more numerous).
- Ionians - They spoke Ionic Greek dialects (basis of the Greek Koiné and his descendant Modern Greek).
- Central Greek tribes (Aeolians and Achaeans)
- Achaeans (Broader sense) - They lived in Eastern, East Central and Southern Greece (Mycenean Greece) before Dorian migrations or Dorian invasions (after that most Achaeans were displaced or assimilated by Dorians in Southern Greece regions, except for Arcadia). They spoke Mycenean Greek that was the ancestor of Aeolic, Arcado-Cypriot and Ionic greek dialects of Classical Greece.
- Western Greek tribes (Dorians and Macedonians)
- Dorians - They spoke Doric Greek dialects (that were not descendants of Mycenean Greek but from a common Proto-Greek language).
- North-Western Doric Greek tribes - They spoke North-West Doric Greek dialect
- Epirotes (Epirotic Dorians) - They lived in Epirus.
- Molossians - A tribal confederation. They lived in Molossis/Molossia.
- Arktanoi [2]
- Amantes/Abantes/Avantes[3] - They lived in Amantia. May have been a hellenized Illyrian tribe related to the Amantini.
- Apheidantes - They were named after king Apheidas.
- Aethikes/Aethices - They lived on Mount Pindus and in the neighborhood of Mount Tomarus.
- Talares - They lived on Mount Pindus and in the neighborhood of Mount Tomarus.
- Parauaei/Paroraioi - They lived in Parauaea, Northern Pindus Mountains.
- Paroraioi (Paroraei) - They lived in the western slopes of Mount Tymphe, Northern Pindus Mountains.
- Tymphaeans - They lived in Tymphaea, eastern slopes of Mount Tymphe.
- Dodonaioi or Selloi [4] - Dodona sanctuary and oracle was in their land.
- Athamanians (or Athamanes) - They lived in Athamania
- Lyncestai[5] They lived in Lynkestis.
- Pelagones[5] - They lived in Pelagonia.
- Chaonians - They lived in Chaonia.
- Subtribes or Clans: Dassaretae
- Atintanes [6]
- Thesprotians - They lived in Thesprotia.
- Molossians - A tribal confederation. They lived in Molossis/Molossia.
- Dolopes - They lived in Dolopia.
- Acarnanians, Northwestern Greek - They lived in Acarnania (this region had two groups of Greeks: the native Northwestern Greek Acarnanians and the Dorians Proper Acarnanians, many of whom were descendants from Corinthian colonies).
- Aetolians/Curetes - They lived in Aetolia.
- Amphilochians - They lived in Amphilochia.
- Aenianians - They lived in Aeniania/Ainis.
- Oeteans - They lived in Oetaea, included Mount Oeta.
- Locrians - They lived in Locris.
- Phoceans - They lived in Phocis. Delphi sanctuary and oracle was in their land (on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus).
- Malians - They lived in Malia/Malis. Thermopylae was in their land.
- Eleans - They lived in Elis (West Peloponnese Peninsula). Olympia, were the Ancient Olympic Games were held was in Elis.
- Achaean Dorians - Many were Achaeans assimilated by Dorians. They spoke a Northwest Greek dialect but with a stronger Achaean Greek substrate. They spoke Achaean Doric Greek (not to be confused with Achaean Greek).
- Achaean Dorians of Peloponnese - They lived in Achaea (whose older name was Aegialus/Aegialea and was dwelt by Ionians) (North Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Kefalloneis - They lived in Kephalonia Island. Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
- Ithacians - They lived in Ithaca Island (the land of the lengendary Odysseus, the main character of the Odyssey and also one of the main ones in the Iliad whose author is traditionally thought to be Homer). Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
- Zakynthians - They lived in Zakynthos Island. Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
- Doulicheis - Older dwellers of Leucas/Lefkada Island (before Corinthian colonization). Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
- Magna Graecia Achaean Dorians - They lived in Magna Graecia.
- Crotoneans - They lived in Crotone (Eastern Calabria coast) (many were descendants from an Achaean colony from the city of Rhypes).
- Epirotes (Epirotic Dorians) - They lived in Epirus.
- Dorians proper (They were formed by three original tribes - Hylleis, Pamphylians and Dymanes) - They spoke Doric Greek dialects.
- Hylleis Dorians
- Dorians (of Doris) - They lived in Doris (Upper Cephissus river valley). They were viewed as the people of the land were Dorians originated.
- Megareans - They lived in Megaris.
- Corinthians - They lived in Corinthia (Isthmus of Corinth and North-East Peloponnese Peninsula). Many Greek colonies were of Corinthian origin (i.e. Corinth was the Metropolis - Mother City, the origin of many Greek colonies).
- Leucadians - Descendants of a Corinthian colony. They lived in Leucas (Lefkada) Island.
- Acarnanians, Dorians Proper - They lived in Acarnania (this region had two groups of Greeks: the native Northwestern Greek Acarnanians and the Dorians Proper Acarnanians, many of whom were descendants from Corinthian colonies).
- Ambracians - Descendants of a Corinthian colony. They lived in Ambracia.
- Kerkyreans/Corcyraeans - Descendants of a Corinthian colony. They lived in Kerkyra/Corfu (Corcyra). (Phaeacians may have been the original inhabitants and called their island Scheria).
- Argives - They lived in Argolis (East Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Pamphylian Dorians (A broader word for a group of Dorians not to be confused with Pamphylians of Southwestern Anatolia)
- Laconians - They lived in Laconia (South Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Spartans-Lacedaemonians - They lived in Sparta/Lacedaemon a part of Laconia (South Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Cythereans - They lived in Cythera (Kythera/Kythira) Island, south of Peloponnese Peninsula.
- Cretans - They lived in Crete Island.
- Thereans - They lived in Thera/Thira Island (Santorini).
- Doric Hexapolis
- Laconians - They lived in Laconia (South Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Dymanes Dorians
- Messenians - They lived in Messenia (South-West Peloponnese Peninsula).
- Magna Graecia Dorians - They lived in Magna Graecia.
- Syracusans - They lived in Syracuse in South-East Sicily Island (many were descendants from a Corinthian colony).
- Tarantinoi - They lived in Taranto (many were descendants from a Spartan colony).
- Hylleis Dorians
- North-Western Doric Greek tribes - They spoke North-West Doric Greek dialect
- Macedonians (Makedónes) and Magnetes
- Macedonians - They lived in Macedonia and spoke Macedonian language (descendant from a common Proto-Greek language).
- Argeads - According to their oral tradition their tribe originally came from Argos, in Argolis, Eastern Peloponnese Peninsula (Argeads = Argives) (origin of the Macedonian ruling dynasty - The Argeads - House of Argos).
- Elimiotai [5] - They lived in Elimiotis/Elimeia.
- Eordeans - They lived in Eordaia.
- Orestaes - They lived in Orestis.
- Magnetes - They lived in Magnesia (most of Thessaly's coastal region). They were seen by ancient Greeks as a people that shared a common ancestor with the Macedonians.
- Macedonians - They lived in Macedonia and spoke Macedonian language (descendant from a common Proto-Greek language).
- Dorians - They spoke Doric Greek dialects (that were not descendants of Mycenean Greek but from a common Proto-Greek language).
- Central and Eastern Greek tribes (Aeolians, Achaeans and Ionians)
References
- ↑ Roger D. Woodard (2008), "Greek dialects", in: The Ancient Languages of Europe, ed. R. D. Woodard, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 51.
- ↑ Mogens Herman Hansen and Thomas Heine Nielsen. An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis. Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 345.
- ↑ The Illyrian Atintani, the Epirotic Atintanes and the Roman Protectorate N. G. L. Hammond, The Journal of Roman Studies Vol. 79 (1989), pp. 11-25 "There were Illyrian Amantini in Pannonia and Greek Amantes in North Epirus"
- ↑ Mogens Herman Hansen and Thomas Heine Nielsen. An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis. Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 338.
- 1 2 3 John Boardman and Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière Hammond. The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 3, Part 3: The Expansion of the Greek World, Eighth to Sixth Centuries B.C. Cambridge University Press, 1992, p. 284.
- ↑ Wilkes, John. The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe). Wiley-Blackwell, 1995, p. 97.
- ↑ Woodhouse, William John. Aetolia: Its Geography, Topography, and Antiquities. Clarendon Press, 1897, p. 70. "Ptolemy, however, makes them neighbours of the Epirot tribe of the Kassopaioi, who lived on the coast of the Ionian sea."
See also
- Regions of ancient Greece
- List of Celtic tribes
- List of Germanic peoples
- List of ancient peoples of Italy
- List of Ancient Iranian peoples
- List of Rigvedic tribes