1 Introduction
1.1 The First Greeks
In 1750 BC, a large and prolonged flood occurred on the Cephisus River near Mt. Parnassus. The Ectenes, who lived upstream of the Cephisus River, migrated to Boeotia led by Ogygus. [1]
In 1580 BC, the Ectenes migrated from Boeotia to various places under pressure from the Hyantes and others. [2]
Some Ectenes migrated from Boeotia to Thessaly, led by the grandfather of Hellen's father Deucalion. They were the first Greeks to live in Thessaly.
1.2 The Name of Thessaly
Strabo writes that Thessaly was named after Thessalus, the son of Haemon, a contemporary of Hellen, the son of Deucalion. Strabo also writes that, as an alternative theory, the descendants of Antiphus and Pheidippus, sons of Thessalus, the son of Heracles, who invaded Thessaly from Thesprotia, named the region after their ancestor. [2-1]
1.2.1 Denial of Strabo's Theory
Since Hellen and Thessalus were contemporaries, Haemon is presumed to be the son of Pelasgus, son of Larisa, who migrated from Argos to Thessaly. [2-2]
Larisa led the Pelasgians from Argos to Thessaly.
Pelasgus lived in Pelasgiotis near the Peneius River. [2-3]
The territory of Haemon's son Thessalus and his descendants did not extend to the entirety of Thessaly, and in 1390 BC, the Pelasgians were expelled from Thessaly. [2-4]
It is unlikely that the name used by the Pelasgians in parts of Thessaly was continued by the descendants of the Deucalion who exiled them.
1.2.2 Denial of Alternative Theories
The Thesprotians occupied Thessaly during the Trojan War.
Antiphus and Pheidippus appear in the story of the Trojan Expedition. [2-5]
In other words, the Thesprotians invaded Thessaly before the time of their descendants.
Antiphus and Pheidippus also lived on the island of Cos in Asia Minor. [2-6]
Another legend says that Antiphus was shipwrecked on his way back from Troy and took possession of Thessaly. [2-7]
However, Antiphus and Pheidippus, who lived on the island of Cos, cannot be linked to the Thesprotians.
1.2.3 Inference
The 1st-century BC historian Marcus Velleius Paterculus wrote that the Thesprotians, led by Thessalus, occupied the state of Myrmidone, and that the region came to be called Thessaly. [2-8]
The 2nd-century AD writer Polyaenus wrote that Thessaly was named after Thessalus, son of Aeatus, son of Pheidippus. [2-9]
Aeatus and Thessalus fought against the Boeotians who lived in Arne in Thessaly. [2-10]
The Suda Dictionary reports that the Boeotians of Arne lived in Arne until the third generation after being defeated in battle by Haemon. [2-11]
Haemon is therefore presumably the father of Pheidippus, father of Aeatus, father of Thessalus.
After Thessalus expelled the Boeotians, who remained as penestae in Arne, the region he ruled is believed to have come to be called Thessaly. [2-12]
Thessalus' son Nesson gave his name to a lake near Larisa. [2-13]
It is believed that during Nesson's time, a larger region came to be called Thessaly.
Nesson was a descendant of Heracles. [2-14]
The Aleuadae of Larisa are believed to be descendants of Nesson. [2-15]
2 Emigration from Argos
In 1560 BC, the Pelasgians, inhabitants of Argos, migrated to Thessaly, led by the family of Larisa, daughter of Pelasgus, son of Triopas. [3]
The settlement was an area extending from the Peneius River in northern Thessaly to the western shores of the Pagasetic Gulf. [4]
2.1 Founding of Larisa
The Pelasgians gathered their people and built a town near the Peneius River. [5]
At first the town was called Argos, but Larisa's son Pelasgus took to calling it Larisa, after his mother's name. [6]
Larisa was Thessaly's oldest town.
Larisa Cremaste, near Mount Othrys in the south-west of the Pagasetic Gulf, also seems to have been founded around the same time. Larisa was also named after Pelasgus' daughter Larisa. [7]
2.2 Place of residence of Pelasgians
Pelasgus, Achaeus, and Phthius, three sons of Larisa, lived separately.
Pelasgus lived in Pelasgiotis near the Peneius River.
Achaeus lived in Achaia, between the Pagasetic Gulf and the Maliac Gulf.
Phthius lived in Phthiotis, between Melitaea and Pelasgiotis. [8]
3 Age of Deucalion
In 1540 BC, Deucalion founded Pyrrha (later Melitaea) near the source of the Enipeus River, which flows from the south into the Peneius River in northern Thessaly. [9]
Deucalion married Pyrrha and had two sons, Hellen and Amphictyon. [10]
3.1 Timing of flood occurrence
The "flood of Deucalion" occurred in the year when the king of Athens changed from Cecrops to Cranaus. [11]
According to the list of Athenian kings reported by the 2nd century BC chronicler Castor, Cecrops was replaced by Cranaus in 1511 BC. [12]
3.2 Flood occurrence
In 1511 BC, a major earthquake occurred with its epicenter north of Thessaly. The mountains called Tempe were split open to create the Tempe Valley, and the water from the swamps flowed into the Peneius River, leaving the swamps and a plain called Dotium. The Peneius River swelled, causing flooding in the upper reaches of its tributaries. [13]
3.3 Impact of flooding
3.3.1 Pelasgians
Pelasgus, the son of Larisa, was happy when the swamps turned into plains and held a festival, which became the origin of the Peloria festival. [14]
3.3.2 Deucalion Family
When a flood struck, Deucalion, along with Hellen and Amphictyon, fled to Athens.
Deucalion died in Athens, and Hellen returned to Thessaly. [15]
Amphictyon married the daughter of Cranaus. [16]
4 Age of Hellen, Son of Deucalion
Hellen succeeded Deucalion as ruler of Pyrrha, and the people of that region came to be called Hellenes or Hellas. [17]
Hellen married Orseis and had three sons: Aeolus, Dorus, and Xuthus. [18]
Hellen's other wife, Othreis, had two sons: Phagrus and Meliteus. [19]
4.1 Amphictyon ascends to the throne as Athenian King
In 1502 BC, Amphictyon expelled Cranaus and ascended to the throne as the third king of Athens. [20]
In 1492 BC, Amphictyon was expelled from Athens by Erichthonius (or Erechtheus), son of Cranaus' daughter Atthis, who had emigrated from Egypt. [21]
4.2 Founding of Melitaea
In 1495 BC, Meliteus, son of Hellen, founded Melitaea, located close to Pyrrha. [22]
5 Age of Aeolus, son of Hellen
Hellen was succeeded by his eldest son Aeolus. [23]
Aeolus had sons Mimas, Hypseus, Sisyphus, Athamas, and Cretheus. [24]
5.1 Oracle of Dodona
In 1480 BC, Thessalus, son of Haemon, moved the oracle from Scotussa to Dodona and built a temple there. [25]
Most of the women of Scotussa accompanied them on this move. The priestess in charge of prophecies at the oracle of Dodona was a descendants of them. [26]
Haemon is presumed to be the son of Pelasgus, son of Larisa. [27]
5.2 Emigration to Attica
In 1470 BC, Aeolus and Dorus expelled their brother Xuthus from Melitaea. Xuthus moved to Attica and married Creusa, daughter of Erechtheus, the fourth king of Athens. [28]
In 1442 BC, Xuthus migrated to Aegialus (later Achaia) in the northern part of the Peloponnesus peninsula.
After the death of Erechtheus, Xuthus probably led his people from Attica, where the population had increased, in search of a new world. [29]
5.3 Emigration of Dorus
In 1460 BC, Dorus migrated from Melitaea down the Enipeus River to the lands north of the Peneius River. [30]
The region inhabited by Dorus became known as Doris (later part of Histiaeotis), and its inhabitants became known as Dorians. [31]
6 Ages of Mimas, son of Aeolus, and Hippotes, son of Mimas
6.1 Blank Age
Little is known about the genealogy of the next two generations after Aeolus, son of Hellen, son of Deucalion.
Diodorus alone conveys the lineage of Aeolus, son of Hippotes, son of Mimas, and Aeolus. [32]
During the time of Hippotes, the son of Mimas, there was the arrival of Cadmus, who brought the Phoenician letters to Greece. The genealogy of Aeolus, son of Hippotes, is given in detail.
The genealogies of Deucalion and Hellen have been passed down because Deucalion's son Amphictyon and Hellen's son Xuthus married the daughter of the king of Athens, and it is assumed that they were recorded in Athens. If they had not married, Deucalion's lineage would have started with Aeolus, son of Hippotes.
6.2 Birth of a branch tribe
Mimas and Hippotes probably had not only one son, but many others.
From their sons the Aenianians and Perrhaebians are thought to have sprung.
The Aenianians and Perrhaebians became part of the Amphictyons, who later along with Aeolis expelled the Pelasgians from Thessaly.
It is assumed that the Aenianians and Perrhaebians were also descendants of Deucalion. [33]
6.3 Return of Achaeus, son of Xuthus
In 1435 BC, Achaeus, son of Xuthus, returned from Aegialus to Melitaea with the Athenians on his side. [34]
6.4 Founding of Arne
Aeolus, who had exiled Xuthus, was succeeded by his son Mimas. [35]
In 1435 BC, the Mimas were driven out by Achaeus and settled near the Coralius River, about 50 km northwest of Melitaea, where they founded Arne. [36]
6.5 Passage of Cadmus and Thracians
In 1420 BC, a large group of Cadmus and Thracians marched south from Thracia and passed through Thessaly. [37]
6.5.1 Emigration of Dorus, son of Hellen
Dorus, who lived in Doris, led Dorians to the south and settled between the Oeta and Parnassus mountains in central Greece. [38]
The region later became known as Doris. [39]
Some of the Dorians did not migrate with Dorus, but remained near the Peneius River.
Their chief was Peneius, the son of Tectamus, the son of Dorus. Peneius gave his name to the river that flows through his residence. [40]
6.5.2 Emigration of Cretheus, son of Aeolus
Cretheus also emigrated to near Parnassus mountains with his uncle Dorus, and from there to Crete with his cousin Tectamus, son of Dorus. Tectamus' immigrant band included the Dorians and Pelasgians, but Cretheus led the Aeolians. [41]
6.5.3 Relocation of Achaeus
Achaeus, son of Xuthus, and his two sons, Archander and Architeles, returned from Melitaea to Aegialus. [42]
Achaeus was presumably accompanied by Sisyphus, who later founded Ephyra (later Corinth) to the east of Sicyon. Sisyphus was Achaeus' cousin.
6.6 Founding of Halus
In 1415 BC, the Athamas migrated from Arne to the western coast of the Pagagic Gulf and founded Halus. [43]
6.7 Emigration to Eleusis
In 1415 BC, Eumolpus invaded Attica and settled at Eleusis. [44]
Strabo notes that Eumolpus was a Thracian, but he may have been a Pelasgian who lived in Thessaly. [45]
Eleusis was inhabited by the descendants of the Mystery Priest Trochilus, who emigrated from Argos in 1561 BC. It is believed that there was a dispute between Eleusis and Athens over the performance of religious rites. [46]
Trochilus had left Argos due to a conflict with Triopas' son Agenor, so the people of Eleusis could not rely on Argos. It is assumed that the Eleusians requested support from the descendants of Larisa, daughter of Agenor's brother Pelasgus. [47]
7 Age of Aeolus, son of Hippotes
Hippotes was succeeded by his son Aeolus. [48]
Aeolus had at least ten sons and three daughters by five wives.
The names of his wives were Enarete, Protogenia, Thyia, Stilbe, and Iphis (or Iphys). [49]
The names of his sons were Andreus (or Minyas), Deion (or Deion, Deioneus), Macareus, Aethlius, Perieres, Macedon, Magnes, Lapithes (or Lapithus), Salmoneus, and Cretheus.
His daughters' names were Melanippe (or Arne, Antiopa), Calyce, and Canace. [50]
7.1 Spread of writing
The lineage of Aeolus' father Hippotes and Hippotes' father Mimas is unknown.
The reason why Aeolus' genealogy remains so detailed is probably because during his time Cadmus brought the Phoenician letters to Greece. [51]
However, it is unclear where, what kind of connections, and the person who could write down the lineage from Aeolus, the son of Hippotes, onwards.
7.2 Founding of Itonus
In 1392 BC, Itonus, son of Amphictyon, migrated from Locris to Thessaly and founded Itonus near Halus, founded by Athamas. [52]
Athamas was the son of Aeolus, son of Hellen, and Itonus was the son of Amphictyon, son of Deucalion, son of Dorus, son of Hellen.
So Itonus immigrated, relying on his grandfather's cousin Athamas.
7.3 Attack of the great tsunami
In 1390 BC, there was a large-scale eruption at Calliste (later Thera, present-day Santorini), about 110 km north of Crete, which caused a large tsunami in the Aegean Sea. The tsunami hit the east coast of Thessaly and towns along the shores of the Pagasetic Gulf. [53]
7.3.1 Emigration to Boeotia
Halus on the west coast of the Pagasetic Gulf was washed away by the tsunami, and Athamas, son of Aeolus, migrated to Boeotia. [54]
Athamas founded Acraephnium (or Acraephium) on the plain east of Lake Copais.[55]
7.3.2 Emigration to Italy
A tsunami hit the Pelasgians living on the east coast of Thessaly, and they raided Itonus. Itonus' wife Melanippe was taken away by Dius the Pelasgian. [57]
Dius took Melanippe with him and moved to Metapontium in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. [58]
Melanippe was the daughter of Aeolus, son of Hippotes of Arne. [59]
7.3.3 Expulsion of Pelasgians
Amphictyon, the father of Itonus, lived in Anthela, near Thermopylae of Locris, and was king of the Dorians in the vicinity. [60]
Amphictyon, together with Melanippe's father Aeolus, rallied his people and expelled the Pelasgians from Thessaly. [61]
Aeolus, the father of Melanippe, was the son of Hippotes, the son of Mimas, the son of Aeolus, the brother of Dorus, the father of Deucalion, the father of Amphictyon. In other words, they were kin as Hellenes.
The group Amphictyon gathered was later organized by Acrisius of Argos as the Amphictyons. [62]
7.3.4 Emigration to Phthia
Amphictyon's brother Pronous settled from Locris in the land that the Pelasgians had vacated. [63]
Dotus, son of Neonus, son of Hellen, son of Pronous, became the godfather of the plain of Dotium. [64]
7.3.5 Emigration to Peloponnesus
Aethlius, Macareus, and Perieres, three sons of Aeolus, migrated from Arne to Olenus in the northwest of the Peloponnesus. [65]
Olenus was a town founded twenty years before their migration by Olenus, son of Anaxitea, daughter of Danaus. [66]
Olenus had two daughters, Aex and Helice, born to him and the daughter of Hippodamia, the daughter of Danaus. [67]
Perieres probably married Olenus' daughter and inherited Olenus.
A son, Pisus, was born to Perieres. [68]
In 1390 BC, Aethlius migrated south from Olenus and founded Elis. [69]
In 1389 BC, Macareus led a colony to Pelasgia (later Lesbos). [70]
In 1345 BC, Pisus, son of Perieres, migrated from Olenus to the vicinity of Olympia and founded Pisa on the banks of the Alpheius River. [71]
7.3.6 Emigration to Dryopis
After Hellen's son Dorus moved from Doris to near Mount Parnassus, the family of Dorus' daughter Iphthime remained in Doris. [72]
They migrated near the Spercheius River, near where Iphthime's father had settled. [73]
Amphissus, son of Dryope, daughter of Dryops, son of Iphthime's son and Polydore, daughter of Danaus, founded Oeta near Mount Oeta, and they were called Dryopes (or Dryopians). [74]
7.3.7 Migration from Rhodes
Triopas, son of Rhodos, who joined the sons of Deucalion in expelling the Pelasgians from Thessaly, captured Dotium. [74-1]
7.3.8 Migration to Caria
In 1388 BC, Triopas was expelled by the natives for building a palace out of wood cut down at the sacred site of Demeter. [74-2]
There was a sacred site with a sacred tree at Scotussa near Dotium, and Triopas is thought to have lived in Scotussa. [74-3]
Triopas migrated from Thessaly to Caria and founded Triopium (or Triopia). [74-4]
Triopium was located on a promontory outside the future Cnidus. [74-5]
7.4 Founding of Tricca
In 1385 BC, the husband of Peneius' daughter Tricca founded a town on the left bank of the Peneius River and called it Tricca, after his wife. [75]
Presumably, Tricca's husband was a Dorian who expanded his domicile westward from Doris.
7.5 Migration to Boeotia
In 1380 BC, Andreus, son of Aeolus, migrated to Boeotia and founded Andreis (later Orchomenus). [75-1]
7.6 Epopeus, adopted son of Aeolus
Aeolus was succeeded by his daughter Melanippe's son Boeotus, and Aeolus had no son to succeed him. [76]
In 1375 BC, Aeolus adopted Aloeus' son Epopeus from Sicyon to become his heir. [77]
Aeolus was the father of Epopeus' mother Canace, and Epopeus was his grandson. [78]
8 Age of Boeotus, son of Melanippe, daughter of Aeolus
8.1 Return of Boeotus
Abducted by the Pelasgians, Melanippe was taken to Metapontium in the southern part of the Italian peninsula, where she gave birth to her two sons, Aeolus and Boeotus. [79]
In 1370 BC, Boeotus returned from Italy to Arne of Thessaly with his mother Melanippe and succeeded his grandfather Aeolus. [80]
Epopeus, son of Aloeus, returned to Sicyon. [81]
8.2 Birth of Lapiths
In 1365 BC, Lapithes, son of Aeolus, migrated from Arne to the land north of the Peneius River.
The Lapithes clan became known as the Lapiths. [82]
It is assumed that the birthplace of Lapiths was west of Larisa and east of Doris. [83]
8.3 Migration to Phocis
In 1365 BC, Deion, son of Aeolus, emigrated from Arne to Phocis. [83-1]
Deion's place of residence is unknown, but it is likely to have been near Boeotia, as Deion's son, Phylacus, later married a woman from Orchomenus. [83-2]
8.4 Emigration to Lacedaemon
In 1351 BC, Diomede, daughter of Lapithes, married Amyclas, son of Lacedaemon, of Amyclae in Laconia. [84]
It is assumed that the long-distance marriage between Thessaly and Laconia was established as follows.
Amphictyons, including the tribe of Thessaly, were organized by Acrisius of Argos. [85]
At that time, Acrisius seems to have met Lapithes, the son of Aeolus, and brokered a marriage. Amyclas was the younger brother of Eurydice, wife of Acrisius. [86]
8.5 Migration to Macedonia
In 1350 BC, Magnes, son of Aeolus, and his brother Macedon migrated from Arne to near Mount Olympus. [86-1]
8.6 Founding of Iolcus
In 1350 BC, Cretheus, son of Aeolus, migrated from Arne to the northern shore of the Pagasetic Gulf and founded Iolcus. [86-2]
8.7 Emigration to Eleia
In 1335 BC, Salmoneus, son of Aeolus, migrated from Arne to Eleia and founded Salmone. [87]
Salmone was about halfway between Elis and Pisa.
The founder of Elis was his half-brother Aethlius, and the founder of Pisa was his nephew Pisus. [88]
8.8 Founding of Glaphyrae
In 1330 BC, Glaphyrus, son of Magnes, son of Aeolus, migrated from near Mount Olympus to near Lake Boebeis and founded the Glaphyrae. [89]
9 Age of Itonus, son of Boeotus
9.1 Joining Amphion and Zethus
In 1325 BC, Amphion and Zethus attacked Lycus, son of Hyrieus, in Cadmeia (later Thebes) and captured the city. [90]
Locrus, brother of Zethus' wife Thebe, also joined in this battle, and it is assumed that Itonus, son of Boeotus of Arne, also joined. [91]
Itonus was the son of Boeotus, son of Melanippe, wife of Itonus, brother of Physcius, father of Locrus. Thus, Locrus was a cousin of Boeotus, the father of Itonus.
9.2 Emigration to Boeotia
In 1325 BC, Itonus, son of Boeotus, emigrated from Arne to Boeotia, near Coroneia. [91-1]
Itonus founded Arne on the shores of Lake Copais below Coroneia. [92]
There, the sanctuary of Itonian Athena was built and the meetings of the Boeotians were held. [93]
The Coroneans accepted the migration of the Boeotians led by Itonus because the inhabitants of Coroneia and Haliartus also cooperated with Amphion and Zethus. The founders of those cities, Coronus and Haliartus, were the brothers of Proetus, the father of Maera, the mother of Zethus' wife Thebe. [94]
9.3 Migration from Phocis
In 1325 BC, Phylacus, son of Deion, migrated from Phocis to the west of the Pagasetic Gulf and founded Phylace. [94-1]
9.4 Emigration to Rhodes
In 1320 BC, Phorbas, son of Lapithes, migrated to Rhodes. [95]
Leucippus, son of Macareus, summoned his kinsman Phorbas to Rhodes to gain allies in the island's conflict. Leucippus had migrated from Lesbos to Rhodes some time ago. [96]
Leucippus and Phorbas were cousins whose grandfather were Aeolus, son of Hippotes.
In 1306 BC, Phorbas migrated from Rhodes to Olenus in Achaia. [97]
9.5 Marriage from Orchomenus
In 1317 BC, Phylacus, son of Deion, of Phylace, married Clymene, daughter of Minyas of Orchomenus. [97-1]
9.6 Founding of Oechalia
In 1310 BC, Melaneus, son of Aeolus, founded Oechalia near Tricca. [98]
Melaneus belonged to the Lapiths, and was the first Lapith to enter the land of the Dorians, between Tricca and Doris.
9.7 Emigration to Messenia
In 1310 BC, Perieres, son of Aeolus, migrated to Andania at the request of the inhabitants of Andania in Messenia, who had lost their successors. [99]
The inhabitants of Andania were Achaeans who originally lived in Thessaly, although they migrated from Argos with Messene, the wife of Polycaon, the city's founder.
The Achaeans, who lived in Andania, appear to have chosen Perieres from among the influential people of Thessaly.
9.8 Emigration to Messenia
In 1305 BC, Melaneus, son of Aeolus, migrated from Oechalia to Messenia, near Andania, and founded Oechalia. [100]
It is assumed that Melaneus emigrated at the request of his brother Perieres.
9.9 Founding of Pherae
In 1303 BC, Hippocoon's son Pheres migrated from Phyllus to near Iolcus and founded Pherae. [101]
9.10 Emigration to Eleia
In 1303 BC, Amythaon, son of Hippocoon, migrated from Phyllus of Thessaly to Eleia and founded Pylus. [102]
Amythaon's migration was attended by his two sons, Melampus and Bias, as well as Neleus, son of Cretheus of Iolcus. [103]
There is also a tradition that Neleus fought with his brother Pelias over the right to inherit Iolcus. [104]
However, since Pelias and Neleus jointly organize the Olympia festival competitions, it is assumed that Neleus voluntarily participated in the migration of his half-brother Amythaon. [105]
Also, Anaxibia, daughter of Bias, son of Amythaon, was married to Pelias, so conflict cannot be considered the cause of the migration. [106]
9.10.1 Origin of Pylus's name
Legend has it that Pylos (or Pylon), the son of Cleson in Megara, founded Pylus. [107]
The genealogy shows that Neleus, who expelled him from the town founded by Pylos, emigrated when Pylos was nearly 60 years old. The similarity between the Pylos name and the town's name suggests that this is a fiction.
When Amythaon moved from Thessaly to Eleia, he is accompanied by Melampus and Bias. In other words, the sons of Amythaon were born in Pylus (or Phyllus) of Thessaly. [108]
Amythaon is believed to have named the town he founded in Eleia after the town he lived in when he was in Thessaly. And the town's name was taken over by Lepreatic Pylus and Messenian Pylus. [109]
9.11 Marriage from Orchomenus
In 1301 BC, Pheres, son of Hippocoon, who lived in Pherae, married Periclymene, daughter of Minyas of Orchomenus. [109-1]
9.12 Emigration to Magnesia
In 1300 BC, Antion (or Leonteus), son of Periphas, migrated to Magnesia between Mount Ossa and Mount Pelion. Coronis, daughter of Antion's son Phlegyas, grew up near Lake Boebeis. [110]
After that, Peirithous, son of Ixion, son of Antion, made the area around Mount Pelion his territory. [111]
9.13 Founding of Aesonis (or Aeson)
In 1300 BC, Hippocoon's son Aeson migrated from Phyllus to near the Pagasetic Gulf and founded Aesonis. [112]
10 Rise of Iolcus
10.1 Name of Iolcus
The 6th century AD grammarian Stephanus of Byzantium tells us that Iolcus was named after Iolcus, son of Amyrus. [112-1]
Amyrus was also the name of a river that flows through the plains of Dotion northwest of Iolcus, and was one of the participants in the Argonauts' expedition. [112-2]
The town was named after Iolcus, son of Amyrus, after Iolcus was destroyed and more than 100 years after Cretheus founded Iolcus.
The name of the town when Cretheus founded it may not have been Iolcus.
10.2 Marriage from Orchomenus
In 1299 BC, Pelias, son of Cretheus of Iolcus, took as his wife Phylomache, daughter of Amphion, from Orchomenus. [113]
Iolcus prospered due to its intermarriage with the Minyans, who created an unparalleled treasury at the time. [114]
Many Minyans migrated from Orchomenus to Iolcus with Phylomache. [115]
10.3 Marriage from Orchomenus
In 1291 BC, Aeson, son of Hippocoon, who lived in Aesonis, married Alcimede, daughter of Clymene, daughter of Minyas of Orchomenus. [115-1]
10.4 Founding of Dia
In 1287 BC, Aeacus, son of Actor, founded Dia near Phthia. [116]
10.5 Emigration to Aegina
In 1285 BC, Aeacus, son of Actor, migrated from Dia to Aegina. [117]
10.6 Emigration to Eleia
In 1280 BC, Pyttius moved from Thessaly to Eleia and founded Buprasium. [118]
Automedon, son of Diores, son of Amarynceus, son of Pyttius, was a charioteer of Achilles in the Trojan War, so Pyttius is thought to have belonged to the Myrmidons. [119]
Judging from the age of Pyttius, it appears that he was the son of Actor, son of Myrmidon. [120]
10.7 Founding of Ctimene
In 1275 BC, Ctimenus (or Irus), son of Actor, moved from Phthia to Dolopia near Lake Xynian and founded Ctimene. [120-1]
Ctimenus and Demonassa's two sons, Eurydamas and Eurytion, appear in the story of the Argonauts' expedition. [120-2]
Amyntor of Dolopes, who fought against Peleus, is also thought to be a son of Ctimenus. [120-3]
10.8 Jason's Expedition
In 1268 BC, Jason, son of Aeson, traveled with the Minyans to Colchis. [121]
Before this, Presbon, son of Phrixus, son of Athamas, migrated from Colchis to Boeotia, and his son Clymenus became king of the Minyans. [122]
Many Minyans lived in Iolcus due to the marriage of the Minyans' daughters.
Jason married Aeetes' daughter Medea on an expedition to Colchis. [123]
It was 20 years before the Colchis expedition of heroes called the Argonauts.
In the story of the Argonauts' expedition, Pelias of Iolcus orders Jason to go on an expedition, and many heroes from all over Greece join the expedition.
This story is set against the background of the prosperity of Iolcus during the period of Pelias, but the source of that prosperity was not the wealth of Orchomenus, but trade with the Black Sea by the Minyans.
Even after the Presbon emigration, the Minyans continued to trade with the Black Sea, and seem to have settled in a town closer to the Pagasetic Gulf, which was more convenient for trade with the Black Sea than Boeotia.
Minyans became synonymous with Argonauts. [124]
10.9 Emigration to Sinope
Also joining Jason's expedition was Autolycus, son of Deimachus of Tricca. [125]
In 1260 BC, Autolycus led a band of settlers to land he discovered during an expedition with Jason.
That place was Sinope, on the southern coast of the Black Sea. [126]
Deimachus appears to be a descendant of Tricca, the daughter of Peneius, who founded Tricca. The first inhabitants of Tricca were the Dorians. [127]
It is assumed that Autolycus was driven out by Ischys, son of Elatus (or Eilatus) of Lapiths, who had expanded his influence from Oechalia.
10.10 Emigration from Aegina
In 1251 BC, Peleus, son of Aeacus, migrated from Aegina to Eurytion, son of Actor, in Phthia. [128]
Eurytion was the brother of Aeacus and the uncle of Peleus.
Peleus inherited Phthia by marrying his cousin, Antigone, daughter of Eurytion.
Phthia was a town ruled by Peleus' grandfather, Actor.
11 Rise of Lapiths
The Lapiths were born between Larisa and Doris and settled around Larisa after the Pelasgians left. Later, they expanded their settlements to the west around Tricca.
The Lapiths drove out the Aenianians and Perrhaebians who lived on the plains of Dotium and expanded their settlements around Mount Pelion. [129]
11.1 Emigration from Argos
In 1247 BC, Abas, son of Melampus, son of Amythaon, migrated from Argos to Phyllus, near Larisa. [130]
It was around the same time that Adrastus, son of Talaus, migrated to Polybus in Sicyon, due to internal strife in Argos. [131]
Phyllus was the town where Melampus, the father of Abas, was born. [132]
Abas named the plain of Thessaly "the Pelasgian Argos". [133]
11.2 Founding of Gyrton
In 1247 BC, Phlegyas, son of Antion, founded Phlegyas near Larisa. [134]
The town became known as Gyrton, after Phlegyas's successor, his brother Ixion (also known as Gyrton). [135]
The Gyrtonians were previously called Phlegyae. [136]
11.3 Battle of Peleus and Dolopes
In 1247 BC, Peleus, son of Aeacus, defeated Amyntor of Dolopes and gained control of Dolopian. [137]
Peleus took Amyntor's son Crantor as a hostage and made him his shield-bearer. Crantor was killed in battle with the Centaurs. [137-1]
11.4 Expulsion of Centaurs
In 1245 BC, the Lapiths, led by Peirithous, son of Ixion, drove out the Centaurs living on Mount Pelion. [138]
The following legends suggest that the Centaurs were a branch of the Aenianians.
1) The Centaurs, pursued by Peirithous, son of Ixion, fled to the land of the Aethices, who lived in the Pindus Mountains. [138-1]
2) The Aenianians, who lived in Dotian, were pursued by the Lapiths and migrated to Aethicia. [138-2]
When the Pelasgians were driven out of Thessaly in 1390 BC, the Aenianians were among the tribes summoned by Amphictyon, son of Deucalion. [138-3]
The Aenianians are also thought to be a branch of the Aeolis, who had long lived in Thessaly.
The genealogy of Mimas, son of Aeolus, son of Hellen, and his son Hippotes is unknown.
It is believed that the ancestors of the Aenianians were among the sons of Mimas or Hippotes. [138-4]
Persecuted by Lapiths, some Centaurs fled to Aetolia and became bandits, where they were destroyed by Heracles. [138-5]
Some Centaurs settled in Aethicia, in the Pindus Mountains near the source of the Peneius River. They later migrated to the Auas River in Molossia, where they became known as the Parauaei. [139]
At the end of the 5th century BC, during the Peloponnesian War, the Parauaei, led by Oroedus, sided with Peloponnesus. [140]
In the 3rd century BC, the Parauaei lived in the outskirts of Macedonia. [141]
12 Troy Expedition
In 1244 BC, a battle broke out on Troad between Priam, son of Laomedon, and the descendants of Assaracus, son of Tros. The Achaeans, who had friendly relations with Assaracus' descendants living in Dardania through their use of the Hellespont, marched to Troy to reinforce them.
The following Achaeans from Thessaly participated in the expedition:
1) Peleus, son of Aeacus, who lived in Phthia.
2) Protesilaus and Podarces, sons of Iphiclus, who lived in Phylace.
3) Philoctetes, son of Poeas, who lived in Meliboea.
Priam was driven out of Ilium, but with reinforcements from the Hittites, he recaptured Ilium. Peleus returned safely from the expedition, but Protesilaus was killed in battle and buried in Elaesus (or Eleus) in Thracian Chersonesus. [141-1]
Philoctetes returned to Meliboea, but after internal conflict broke out in the town, he emigrated to Italy with Anchises, son of Capys, son of Assaracus. Anchises left for Sicily, while Philoctetes settled in Macalla, Croton, in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. [141-2]
13 Rise of the Phthians
13.1 Destruction of Iolcus
In 1236 BC, the Minyans living in Iolcus rebelled against the tyranny of Acastus, son of Pelias, and killed him and destroyed the town. [142]
However, people did not disappear from Iolcus, and it continued to be inhabited, as shown in Homer's Catalogue of Ships. [143]
The name Iolcus appears as one of the possible places of exile for Hippias of Athens in the 6th century BC. [144]
In 290 BC, when Demetrius founded Demetrias, the inhabitants of Iolcus moved to Demetrias, but Iolcus continued as a village. [145]
Strabo reports that Iolcus remained destroyed in ancient times. However, it appears to have been the central part of the town during Pelias' time. [146]
Iolcus seems to have had a wall, which is unusual for an ancient Thessaly town. [147]
Homer describes Iolcus as "well-built." [148]
13.2 Emigration to Euboea
There were also Minyans living in Pherae, near Iolcus, who also rebelled.
The Minyans of Pherae were the people who immigrated with Periclymene, daughter of Minyas, mother of Admetus, son of Pheres. [149]
Admetus' wife was Alcestis, daughter of Pelias of Iolcus. [150]
In 1236 BC, Admetus fled to Euboea, chased by the Minyans. [151]
In Tamynae of Euboea lived Theseus, the son of Hippasus, the ex-husband of Alcestis, the wife of Admetus. [152]
Theseus was raised by Admetus after his mother's remarriage. Later Theseus went to Oechalia, where Hippasus' father Eurytus lived, and lived nearby at Tamynae. [153]
Admetus built a temple to Apollo at Tamynae. [154]
13.3 Exile of Minyans
In 1236 BC, Peleus of Phthia expelled the rebellious Minyans. [155]
The Minyans moved to Lemnos, which was a trading hub with the Black Sea. [156]
In 1115 BC, the Minyans of Lemnos migrated to Lacedaemon, chased by the Pelasgians who had fled Athens. [157]
13.4 Founding of Ormenium
Ormenus, son of Cercaphus of Itonus, joined Peleus in battle against the Minyans. [158]
Ormenus' mother was Eupolemia, daughter of Myrmidon, and Peleus was the son of Ormenus' maternal cousin Aeacus.
In 1235 BC, Ormenus founded Ormenium southeast of the destroyed Iolcus. [159]
13.5 Emigration of Phoenix
In 1230 BC, Phoenix, son of Amyntor of Ormenium, migrated to Peleus of Phthia. [160]
Peleus was the son of Aeacus, son of Actor, brother of Eupolemeia, mother of Ormenus, father of Amyntor, father of Phoenix. Thus, Phoenix moved to his father Amyntor's second cousin Peleus.
Peleus gave Dolopia to Phoenix. [161]
13.6 Battle of Lapiths and Heracles
13.6.1 The beginning of the battle
From their birthplace (the land between Doris and Larisa), the Lapiths spread their settlements westward and east-southeast. In the land where the Lapiths disappeared, the inhabitants of the neighboring Doris to the west expanded their settlement.
The land was probably disputed and a battle broke out between the Lapiths and the Dorians.
Coronus, son of Caeneus of Gyrton, drove out the Dorians who lived in the land. [162]
13.6.2 Joining Heracles
In 1227 BC, Aegimius, king of the Dorians, fought against the Lapiths at the request of the Dorians of Doris, but was defeated. Even after Dorus, son of Hellen, migrated from Doris to the vicinity of Mount Parnassus, the relationship seems to have continued as the same tribe. [163]
Aegimius asked for help from Heracles, who was under Ceyx of Trachis.
13.6.3 Why Heracles joined Dorians
Among Heracles' army were the Melians, led by Ceyx, who were a branch of the Aenianians. Some time ago, the Aenianians, ancient inhabitants of the plains of Dotium, fled around Mount Oeta, chased by the Lapiths. [164]
It is thought that the daughter of a Melian chieftain who had settled near Trachis married Ceyx, and that Ceyx became the leader of the Melians. [165]
The Lapiths were enemies of the Malians, which is likely why Heracles fought Lapiths.
13.6.4 Progress of the battle
Heracles campaigned from Trachis to the north of Thessaly, fought the Lapiths who occupied Doris, and slew Coronus, son of Caeneus of Gyrton. [167]
Heracles then attacked Itonus and killed Cycnus, son of Pelopia. [168]
Furthermore, Heracles attacked Ormenium and killed Ormenius himself and his son Amyntor. [169]
13.6.5 Phthia’s non-participation
Once Peleus, son of Aeacus of Phthia, sided with the Lapiths in their war against the Centaurs. [170]
However, Phthia does not appear in the battle between Heracles and Lapiths.
The reason is presumed to be as follows.
13.6.5.1 Death of Peleus
Homer tells us that Peleus sent Achilles on an expedition to Troy, but Peleus is presumed to have died shortly before the battle with Heracles and Lapiths. [171]
Peleus' son Achilles, who was less than seven years old when Peleus died, was raised by Phoenix. [172]
Since Peleus died and his successor, Achilles, was still a boy, Phthia probably did not take part in the battle against the Lapiths.
13.6.5.2 Genealogy of Dorians
The Myrmidons of Phthia are connected by marriage to the Lapiths. But Myrmidon was a direct descendant of Dorus, son of Hellen, and was a Dorian. [173]
Although Phthia was close to the settlement of the Lapiths, it is likely that they remained neutral as they were descended from the Dorians.
13.6.6 Tricca’s non-participation
Asclepius of Tricca, a member of the Lapiths, does not participate in this battle.
This is probably because the majority of Tricca's residents were descendants of people who migrated from Doris, that is, Dorians. [174]
In 1260 BC, a group of immigrants led by Deimachus' son Autolycus migrated from Tricca to Sinope, and many Dorians are thought to have lived in Tricca. [175]
14 Troy Expedition
In 1188 BC, Hector, son of Priam, who lived in Troad, was exiled from Ilium by the sons of Antenor. Hector sought the help of the Achaeans to retake Ilium.
The following Achaeans from Thessaly participated in the expedition:
1) Achilles, son of Peleus, who lived in Phthia.
2) Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, who lived in Phthia.
3) Phoenix, son of Amyntor, who lived in Dolopia.
4) Polypoetes, son of Peirithous, who lived in Gyrton.
5) Leonteus, son of Coronus, who lived in Argisa.
6) Eurypylus, son of Euaemon, who lived in Ormenion.
7) Podalirus, son of Asclepius, who lived in Tricca.
The Achaeans attacked Ilium but were defeated by the sons of Antenor and fled to various places.
Achilles was killed in battle, and Neoptolemus fled to the land of the Molossians with Priam's son Helenus, Hector's wife Andromache, and Hector's sons. [176]
Phoenix died near Thermopylae on the way to the land of the Molossians with Neoptolemus. [177]
Polypoetes and Leonteus fled to Ionia and settled in Colophon. [178]
Eurypylus fled to Achaia and settled in Patrae. [179]
Podalirus fled to Caria and founded Syrnus. [180]
15 Invasion of Thesprotians
Thessaly, left defenseless by the Trojan campaign, was invaded by the Thesprotians, who lived around Dodona, across the Pindus Mountains to the east. [181]
The Thesprotians were led by Pheidippus and Haimon, sons of Heracles' son Dexamenus. [182]
The Achaeans, Perrhaebians, and Magnesians fought against the Thesprotians but were defeated. [183]
The Thesprotians occupied Thessaly and renamed it Thessalians. [184]
The Thessalians allowed the indigenous people to remain as penestae. [185]
In 1165 BC, Pheidippus' son Aeatus fought and suppressed the rebellious Boeotians of Arne. [186]
In 1126 BC, Thessalus, son of Aeatus, expelled the Boeotians from Arne. [187]
During the Persian invasion of Greece in the 5th century BC, the following tribes are listed in Thessaly as offerings of soil and water to the Persian king. [188]
Thessalians, Dolopians, Enianians, Perrhaebians, Magnetians, and Achaeans of Phthiotis.
These tribes are likely all the tribes that inhabited Thessaly after the Thesprotian invasion.
The inhabitants of Thessaly after its occupation by the Thesprotians were as follows.
15.1 Inhabitants of Phthia
The ancient Phthiotis, centered around Phthia, continued to be inhabited by the Achaeans. [189]
Phthia came to be called Pharsalus (later Palaepharsalus) after Pharsalus, son of Acrisius. [190]
Leake estimates that Palaepharsalus was located half a mile east of the new Pharsalus's acropolis. [191]
15.2 Inhabitants of Arne
After their defeat by Haimon, some of the Boeotians of Arne emigrated to Boeotia. [192]
Led by the seer Peripoltas, the Boeotians settled on the outskirts of Boeotia and called their town Arne (later Chaeroneia). [193]
15.3 Inhabitants of Tricca
Anticleia, wife of Machaon, son of Asclepius (or Aesculapius), emigrated from Tricca to Pharae in Messenia. [194]
Machaon's sons, Nicomachus and Gorgasus, inherited Pharae. [195]
Machaon's sons, Polemocrates, Alexandros, and Sphyrus lived in Eua, Sicyon, and Argos in Argolis and treated the people. [196]
15.4 Inhabitants of Gyrton
The descendants of Peirithus of Gyrton migrated to Athens. The Athenians welcomed them because of the friendship between Theseus and Peirithus, and granted them a land later called Perithoedae. [197]
15.5 Inhabitants of Ormenion
Eurypylus, son of Euaemon of Ormenion, migrated to Patrae in Achaia. [198]
The relationship between Eurypylus and Patrae is unclear, as tradition has it, he may have chosen the location based on an oracle at Delphi. [199]
15.6 Inhabitants of Pherae
Armenius (or Harmenius), son of Zeuxippus, son of Eumelus of Pherae, migrated to Athens. [200]
Henioche, daughter of Armenius, married Andropompus, son of Penthilus of Messenia, and had a son, Melanthus. [201]
The mother and wife of Melanthus, the 16th king of Athens, were Athenian. [202]
15.7 Magnesians
Some of the Magnesians fled to Delphi. Later, they, along with the Delphians, migrated to Lydia and founded Magnesia. [203]
The Magnetians who remained in Thessaly continued to live between and around Mount Ossa and Mount Pelion. [204]
The Magnetians were subordinate to the Thesprotians as penestae. [205]
15.8 Dolopians
Persecuted by the Thesprotians, some of the Dolopians fled to the island of Scyros.
In 475 BC, Cimon of Athens attacked and enslaved the Dolopians living on Scyros. [206]
The Dolopians who remained in Thessaly continued to live between Mount Pindus and Phthiotis. [207]
15.9 Aenianians (or Enianians)
Some Aenianians lived near Mount Olympus, but most lived near Mount Oeta. The Aenianians migrated to Heracleia after the inhabitants of Heracleia, led by the Heracleidae, migrated to Peloponnesus. The Aenianians then advanced further east and captured Echinus at the foot of Mount Othrys. [208]
15.10 Perrhaebians
According to tradition, the Perrhaebians fled to Histiaeotis on Euboea and later returned to Thessaly. It is said that the Perrhaebians brought back some of the inhabitants of Histiaeotis on Euboea, hence the name of the region of Thessaly. [209]
However, this tradition appears to be based on a similar name.
The Perrhaebians continued to live around Mount Cyphus in northern Thessaly. [210]
The Perrhaebians who lived in Larisa continued to live as penestae, subordinate to the Thesprotians. [211]
16 Consideration on Larisa
Larisa does not appear in Homer's Catalogue of Ships. [212]
Some believe that Argissa (later Argura), which was near Larisa and is the first town mentioned under Polypoetes, is the same as Larisa. [213]
It is likely that during the Trojan War, Larisa had a smaller population than Argissa, and that all of Larisa was called Argissa.
In other words, it is assumed that after the Pelasgians left, no one calls the town that was once the capital of the Pelasgians Larisa anymore.
16.1 Destruction of Larisa
Larisa was founded in 1560 BC, shortly after the Pelasgians, led by the family of Pelasgus' daughter Larisa, migrated from Argos to Thessaly. [214]
Larisa was the main town of the Pelasgians for 170 years until they left Thessaly in 1390 BC. Therefore, it seems likely that Larisa was destroyed when the Pelasgians were expelled from Thessaly.
16.2 Historical sources in which Larisa appears
From 1390 BC onwards, Larisa appears in ancient historical sources as follows:
16.2.1 Legend of Perseus' grandfather-killing
Apollodorus tells us that in Larisa, where Teutamide ruled, Perseus, son of Danae, killed his grandfather Acrisius. [215]
Acrisius is believed to have died in 1339 BC.
According to Hellanicus, Amyntor, son of Phrastor, son of Pelasgus, son of Larisa, daughter of Pelasgus, had a son named Teutamides. [216]
Teutamides was probably the king of Larisa, but he lived more than 100 years before the time of Acrisius.
Also, Larisa in the Acrisius tradition was not the name of the town of Thessaly, but of Acropolis in Argos. [217]
Thus, the legend of Apollodoros does not prove the existence of Larisa in Thessaly in the time of Acrisius.
16.2.2 Argonauts Expedition Story
There are three participants from Larisa in the Argonauts expedition story.
The stage of the expedition is estimated to be 1248 BC.
16.2.2.1 Aethalides
Hyginus tells us that Aethalides, son of Eupolemia, daughter of Myrmidon, was a Larissaean. [218]
Apollonius of Rhodes tells us that Eupolemia gave birth to Aethalides by the river Amphrysus, which flows near Itonus. [219]
Also, Cycnus (or Cygnus), the son of Aethalides, lived in Itonus. [220]
In other words, Aethalides lived in Itonus for three generations from his father's generation, and Larisa is presumed to be unrelated.
16.2.2.2 Peirithous (or Pirithous, Perithous)
Apollodorus tells us that Peirithous, son of Ixion, joined the expedition of the Argonauts from Larisa. [221]
However, Strabo says that Ixion and Peirithous were kings of Gyrton. [222]
Apollodorus also tells us that Polypoetes, son of Peirithous, led the Gyrtonians in an expedition to Troy. [223]
That is, it was in Gyrton that Peirithous lived, and not in Larisa.
16.2.2.3 Polyphemus
Apollonius of Rhodes and Hyginus report that Polyphemus joined the expedition of the Argonauts from Larisa. [224]
Polyphemus belonged to the Lapiths, and his father Elatus (or Eilatus) probably lived near the river Peneius. [225]
The descendants of Polyphemus are completely unknown, and the only tradition that tells us that Polyphemus lived in Larisa is that he participated in the expeditions of the Argonauts from that town.
16.2.3 The story of the Calydonian boar hunt
Peirithous is the only participant from Larisa in the story of the Calydonian boar hunt.
This story is estimated to take place in 1246 BC.
Apollodoros tells us that Peirithous, son of Ixion, joined from Larisa. [226]
However, as mentioned above, it was in Gyrton that Peirithous lived, and not in Larisa.
16.2.4 Battle of Heracles and Lapiths
In 1227 BC, Heracles fought alongside the Dorians against the Lapiths. [227]
Gyrton appears in this lore, but Larisa does not.
16.3 Rebuilding of Larisa
Larisa, near the Peneius River, is said to have been founded by Acrisius. [228]
Acrisius' son Pharsalus is also said to have founded Pharsalus. [229]
These legends do not seem to relate to the time when Pelasgus' daughter Larisa migrated from Argos to Thessaly in 1560 BC.
The legend mentions Larisa's sons, Pelasgus, Achaeus, and Phthius, but not Acrisius. [230]
Acrisius rebuilt Larisa, and the following circumstances are presumed:
In 1186 BC, the Thesprotians invaded from northwestern Greece and occupied Thessaly. [231]
It is believed that Pheidippus, son of Dexamenus, son of Heracles, occupied the area around Larisa. The lake near Larisa was named Lake Nessonis after Nesson, son of Thessalus, son of Aeatus, son of Pheidippus. [232]
The Thesprotians were Pelasgians who once lived in Thessaly.
Acrisius, likely the son of Pheidippus, rebuilt Larisa.
Larisa was a town founded by the ancestors of the Thesprotians, and the Thessalians, who changed their name from Thesprotians, continued to call the town Larisa.
Acrisius rebuilt Larisa in 1175 BC.
Furthermore, it is estimated that Pharsalus, son of Acrisius, founded Pharsalus (later Palaepharsalus) in 1150 BC.
After this, Larisa was ruled by the Heracliidae. After Aleuas, the Heracliidae changed their name to Aleuadae. [233]
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