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Sunday, April 7, 2013

For the Pelasgians, too, were a Hellenic nation originally from the Peloponnese.

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Although their origin is still somewhat unclear, I think the ancient Greek and Roman writers have already given us evidences, which directly connect Pelasgians to the Hellenic(Greek) race.

"For the Pelasgians, too, were a Hellenic nation originally from the Peloponnese. (ἦν γὰρ δὴ καὶ τὸ τῶν Πελασγῶν γένος Ἑλληνικὸν ἐκ Πελοποννήσου τὸ ἀρχαῖον). "
Dionysius of Halicarnassus [Roman Antiquities, Book 1.17]


"... Paris though, failed to appear for his sad duty. He soon returned however, bringing to his country the wife he had stolen - and a lengthy war. For a thousand ships sailed after him, bearing the united forces pledged by the Pelasgians."
Ovid [The Metamorphoses, Book XII]


"...As for the Hellenic race, it has used ever the same language, as I clearly perceive, since it first took its rise; but since the time when it parted off feeble at first from the Pelasgian race, setting forth from a small beginning it has increased to a great number of ethnic groups, and chiefly because many barbarian races have been added to it besides. (τὸ δὲ Ἑλληνικὸν γλώσσῃ μὲν ἐπείτε ἐγένετο αἰεί κοτε τῇ αὐτῇ διαχρᾶται, ὡς ἐμοὶ καταφαίνεται εἶναί ἀποσχισθὲν μέντοι ἀπὸ τοῦ Πελασγικοῦ ἐόν ἀσθενές, ἀπό σμικροῦ τεο τὴν ἀρχὴν ὁρμώμενον αὔξηται ἐς πλῆθος τῶν ἐθνέων, Πελασγῶν μάλιστα προσκεχωρηκότων αὐτῷ καὶ ἄλλων ἐθνέων βαρβάρων συχνῶν.)"
Herodotus [Histories, Book 1.58]

In a few words, what Herodotus claims here is that the Pelasgians are the direct ancestors of the Hellenic people, since as it is mentioned the Hellenic race originally parted from the Pelasgians.

Source(s):

History nerd
  • 2 years ago
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110304044547AAkRxOm

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