The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race, Vol. 1 of 2

The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race, Vol. 1 of 2

1. The Dorians derived their origin from those districts in which the Grecian nation bordered towards the north upon numerous and dissimilar races of barbarians. As to the tribes which dwelt beyond these boundaries we are indeed wholly destitute of information; nor is there the slightest trace of any memorial or tradition that the Greeks originally came from those quarters. On these frontiers, however, the events took place which effected an entire alteration in the internal condition of the whole Grecian people, and here were given many of those impulses, of which the effects were so long and generally experienced. The prevailing character of the events in question, was a perpetual pressing forward of the barbarous races, particularly of the Illyrians, into more southern districts; yet Greece, although harassed, confined, nay even compelled to abandon part of her territory, never attempted to make a united resistance to their encroachments. The cause of this negligence probably was, that all her views being turned to the south, no attention whatever was paid to the above quarters. 2. To begin then by laying down a boundary line (which may be afterwards modified for the sake of greater accuracy), we shall suppose this to be the mountain ridge, which stretches from Olympus to the west as far as the Acroceraunian mountains (comprehending the Cambunian ridge and mount Lacmon), and in the middle comes in contact with the Pindus chain, which stretches in a direction from north to south. The western part of this chain separates the furthest Grecian tribes from the great Illyrian nation, which extended back as far as the Celts in the south of Germany. Every clue respecting the connexion, peculiarities, and original language of this people must be interesting, and the dialects of the Albanians, especially of those who inhabit the mountains where the original customs and language have been preserved in greater purity, will afford materials for inquiry.2 For our present purpose it will be sufficient to state, that they formed the northern boundary of the Grecian nation, from which they were distinguished both by their language and customs. 3. In the fashion of wearing the mantle and dressing the hair,3 and also in their dialect, the Macedonians bore a great resemblance to the Illyrians; whence it is evident that the Macedonians belonged to the Illyrian nation.4 Notwithstanding which, there can be no doubt that the Greeks were aboriginal5 inhabitants [pg 003] of this district. The plains of Emathia, the most beautiful district of the country, were occupied by the Pelasgians,6 who, according to Herodotus, also possessed Creston above Chalcidice, to which place they had come from Thessaliotis.7 Hence the Macedonian dialect was full of Greek radical words. And that these had not been introduced by the royal family (which was Hellenic by descent or adoption of manners) is evident from the fact, that many signs of the most simple ideas (which no language ever borrows from another) were the same in both, as well as from the circumstance that these words do not appear in their Greek form, but have been modified according to a native dialect.8 In the Macedonian dialect there occur grammatical forms which are commonly called olic,9 together with many Arcadian10 and Thessalian11 words: and what perhaps is still more decisive, several words, which, though not to be found in the Greek, have been preserved in the Latin language.12 There does not appear to be any peculiar affinity with the [pg 004] Doric dialect: hence we do not give much credit to the otherwise unsupported assertion of Herodotus, of an original identity of the Doric and Macednian (Macedonian) nations. In other authors Macednus is called the son of Lycaon, from whom the Arcadians were said to be descended;13 or Macedon is the brother of Magnes, or a son of olus, according to Hesiod and Hellanicus,14 which are merely various attempts to form a genealogical connexion between this semi-barbarian race, and the rest of the Greek nation.15 ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 33743
Author: Müller, Karl Otfried
Release Date: Sep 17, 2010
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Translator: Lewis, George Cornewall, Sir, 1806-1863, Tufnell, Henry, 1805-1854