THE PELASGIANS AND THE LELEGES.- PELASGI & LELEGES. WHO WHERE THEY? In Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Hebrew, and Latin Sources – A Comprehensive Collection

Abstract

Preface The Pelasgians and the Leleges are the two principal pre-Greek peoples of ancient tradition. According to ancient literary sources, they inhabited the regions surrounding the Aegean Sea, including its islands, mainland Greece—particularly Arcadia, traditionally regarded as the homeland of Pelasgus—Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Thrace. From these regions they are said to have established settlements in Palestine, parts of Egypt, Sicily, Sardinia, southern Italy, and, to a lesser extent, other areas of the Mediterranean. The present study brings together the testimony of more than thirty ancient authors, from Homer (8th century BC) to Pausanias (2nd century AD), as well as Roman writers. It aims to provide the most complete collection of surviving ancient literary references to the Pelasgians and the Leleges. 1. THE PELASGIANS – The Earliest Testimonies 1.1 Homer ......