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For the Aeolian migration cf. Busolt, i. 272 seq. It was tradition ally four generations earlier than the Ionian (Strabo, 582), and like it was connected with the Dorian invasion. It was, however, an even more gradual movement, and neither in conduct nor in results had it the unity which is attributed (no doubt in exaggeration) to the Ionian migration. There is no reason to doubt the tradition that connects the Aeolians especially with Thessaly and Boeotia (Thuc. iii. 2. 3; vii. 57. 5; viii. 5. 2, 100. 3); this is supported by the likeness of the Lesbian and the Boeotian dialects (e.g. broad vowels πώνω for πίνω, feminine endings in ις and ω; Busolt, i. 195, n. 2). The name Aeolis is used in four senses:

(1) A district in south-west Thessaly (Apoll. i. 7. 3; F. H. G. i, p. 111; H. in vii. 95. 1 alludes to this sense).

(2) The district of Calydon in Aetolia (Thuc. iii. 102. 5).

(3) The twelve old Aeolic towns given here by H.

(4) All the settlements in the northern half of the west coast of Asia Minor, about thirty in number. Cyme and Lesbos were the μητροπόλεις (Strabo, 622).

The name ‘Aeolian’ (first used in Hes. W. and D. 636—of Cyme) perhaps arose in Asia Minor, and was transferred back to Greece proper; it seems to be used of all ‘colonies’ which were neither Dorian nor Ionian. The name may be connected with αἰόλος, ‘glancing, changeful.’

For the identification of the ‘old’ Aeolic towns cf. Bähr, ad loc., and Ramsay, J. H. S. ii. 271 seq. Except Cyme, they were unimportant; only this town (Head, H. N. 552) and Pitane (ib. 537) issued coinage before the fourth century. They lay on or near the coast from south of the Hermus to the Caicus.

Φρικωνίς: so called to distinguish this Cyme from other towns of the same name; Φ. is said to be derived from Mount Phricius over Thermopylae (Strabo, 621), but this is probably a mere invention; the epithet was shared by Larisa.

Λήρισαι: a form of the oft-recurring ‘Pelasgic’ Λάρισσα.


For ἥκειν cf. 30. 4 n.

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