Re: Pelasgian, Tyrrhenian, and Achaean

Morten


The textual sources are numerous Etruscan inscriptions and
the far fewer Lemnos inscriptions (funerary and ceramic). Basically,
the language of the Etruscans and Lemnians is so similar that it is
clear they shared a common and near linguistic ancestor. The
Hellenic sources write that the people of Lemnos from the time of the
inscriptions were Pelasgian, apparently a general label. More
specifically in one case they were called Tyrrhenians, as well.

The primary Hellenic sources are as you know Herodot and Thucydides.
These were contemporaries and I think both were correct when writing
about the Pelasgians and Tyrrhenians. We also have Hellanikos (Roman
Antiquities) in Dion. Hal. I, 28, from Lesbos and Anticlides in
Strab. V, 2, 4, both call the Lemnians, Pelasgians.

The only time Tyrrhenian is used is to draw a closer connection
between the Lemnians and Etruscans. Because Thucydides makes this
point, I suggest this link was based on a common language and
tradition of origin. In a general sense I would place this origin in
Anatolia and call it Pelasgian.

Morten because there are too many examples of Hellenic sources that
refer to the Pelasgians and Tyrrhenians to repeat here, type in
Pelasgians or Tyrrhenians in the Search Archive box. Look for
listings under Joseph S Crary. There you'll find copies in a Latin
script of the Hellenic sources with traditional translations, as well
as my renderings. Hope this helps and let me know what you think?


JS Crary