[cybalist] Pelasgian - Consensus

Rex,

This is getting us nowhere and is getting rather tedious. I'll limit myself to saying that the name Larissa came to Anatolia from Egypt, via Greece, and I suggest you read in full what Herodotos has to say about Dodona (and about Egyptians in general).

However, to try to move this discussion on, I propose to you that Pelasgian is just another name for Mycenean.

As you know, I have proposed a derivation of the name from "pelastos", deriving from the Greek "palai-" "old". If this is correct, then Pelastos=Danaos=Kadmos. All three words derive from Greek, Egyptian and Semitic words signifying (amongst other things) "old".

I've not idea if the meaning of "old" is significant. What is significant is that the names Danaos and Kadmos, who were obviously not real people, were chosen and that they carry the same meaning as Pelastos.

I see this as symbolic of the fusion of the three peoples, Pelastoi with their Greek subjects, Egyptians and Phoenicians (Hyksos), who together produced the so-called Mycenean civilisation.

Note that not all Greeks were subjects of the Pelastoi. The Pelastoi, originally Tyrsenoi, were concentrated in the areas of the EHII/III culture, i.e. Boeotia, Attica, Argolid, and Arkadia.

This solution accounts for most of the inconsistencies in the accounts of the Pelasgians :

Their connection to the northern Aegean (Lemnos), W.Anatolia and the Etruscans, through their being originally Tyrsenoi;

Their being both Greek and non-Greek;

The Egyptian connection particularly in Arkadia, Dodona and Larissa;

The respect with which they are treated by the classical Greek writers;

Why the Dorians are not Pelasgic;

Their spread through the Aegean islands, which would have taken place during the period of "Mycenean" domination;

The sequence of Hellenic settlement in Crete, i.e. 1. Pelasgians, 2. Achaeans, 3. Dorians (note Danaans are never mentioned in Crete);

Their ambivalent attitude towards the Achaean led attack on Troy.

I would attribute their more general spread around the Mediterranean to settlements by groups of the Sea Peoples, a confederation in which the Pelasgians seem to have played a major role.

I look forward to your reply.

Cheers

Dennis