Ionic Tribes
The four original divisions (
φυλαί) of the inhabitants of
Attica, said by the ancients to have descended from the mythical Ion, adopted son of Xuthus,
after whose four sons they were said to have got their names—
Γελέοντες, Αἰγικορεῖς, Ἀργαδεῖς, and
Ὅπλητες. It is fairly certain, however, that the names are in reality
descriptive of the respective functions of those composing each:
γελέοντες, “the shining”—i. e. the noble;
αἰγικορεῖς, “the goat-herds;”
ἀργαδεῖς, “the artisans;” and
ὅπλητες, “the warriors.” See
Phratria.