The ancient Greek tribes were groups of Greek-speaking populations living in Greece, Cyprus, and the various Greek colonies. They were primarily divided by geographic, dialectal, political, and culturalcriteria, as well as distinct traditions in mythology and religion. Some groups were of mixed origin, forming a syncretic culture through absorption and assimilation of previous and neighboring populations into the Greek language and customs. Greek word for tribe was Phylē (sing.) and Phylai(pl.), the tribe was further subdivided in Demes (sing. Demos, pl. Demoi) roughly matching to a clan.
With the dominion of land passing on from one tribe to the other, cultural exchange through art and trade, and frequent alliances toward common goals, the ethnic character of the different tribes had become primarily political by the dawn of the Hellenistic period. The Roman conquest of Greece, the subsequent division of the Roman Empire into Greek East and Latin West, as well as the advent of Christianity, molded the common ethnic and political Greek identity once and for all to the subjects of the Greek world by the 3rd century AD.
Read The Lists of ancient Greek Tribes With Wikipedia Sources
Map of ancient Epirus & Environs, Thracian, Illyrian, Paeonian, & Greek contact zones with illustration and extent of Hellenization up to the creation of Epirus Nova or Illyria Graeca. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Greek tribes Late Bronze Age: Homeric Age of the Iliad (circa 1200 BC)
Map of Homeric Greece with English labels. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Achaeans/Argives/Danaans (Danaoi)/Hellenes/Panhellenes (used as synonym of Greeks by Homer in the Iliad) (Mycenaean Greece before Late Bronze Age collapse and Dorian Invasion)
Central and Eastern Greek tribes (Aeolians, Achaeans and Ionians)
Achaeans (Broader sense)
Central Greek tribes (Aeolians and Achaeans)
Acarnanians, Pre-Dorian Acarnanians
Dulichiumians/Doulicheis (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Cephallenians - Original dwellers of Cephalonia/Kefalonia, Ithaca (Odysseus homeland), Leucas/Lefkada and Zakynthos (Southern Ionian Islands) (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Aones (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Curetes or Aetolians (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Locrians - Pre-Dorian Locrians (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Phoceans - Pre-Dorian Phoceans (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Lapiths (Lapíthai) (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships) (Phlegyas was their mythical king)
Myrmidons (Myrmidónes) (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships) (people of Achilles in the Iliad)
Perrhaebi (Perraiboí) (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Achaeans (Narrower sense) - Pre-Doric people of Peloponnese Peninsula (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Arcadians (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Argives - Pre-Doric people of Argos (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Epeans (el) of Elis (Epeioí) - Pre-Doric people of Elis (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Lacedaemonians - Pre-Doric people of Lacedaemonia, later doric Sparta (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Mycenaeans - Pre-Doric Myceneans, Mycenae was their main settlement (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Symians (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Eastern Greek tribes (Ionians)
Oldest tribes (Phylai)
Athenians (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Salamineans (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Western Greek tribes (Dorians and Magnetes)
Oldest tribes (Phylai)
Northwestern Doric Greek tribes?
Magnetes (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Pre-Greek and Non-Greek peoples from whom some of the later Greek tribes claimed descent
Minoan Cretans (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Bottiaeans? - They originally lived in Bottiaea, after Macedonian conquest many of them migrated to Bottike
Minyans (Minyes) (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships)
Pelasgians (mentioned in Iliad's Catalogue of Ships and in Trojan Battle Order) - They lived scattered through several regions of ancient Greece (like Pelasgiotis).
Cynurians - They lived in Cynuria (East Peloponnese Peninsula).
Pieres - They originally lived in Pieria, after Macedonian conquest many of them migrated to Pieris
Greek Language Prehistory (2000-1000 BC), showing the complex pattern of peoples migrations and their languages and dialects
Iron Age: Archaic and Classical Greece maps (from circa 800 BC)
Map of "The archaic period in Greece (750 BC – 480 BC)"
Map of the regions of Ancient Epirus and Macedonia - and adjacent barbarian lands ILLYRIA and Paionia.
Ancient Macedonia map
Ancient Crete map
Iron Age: Archaic and Classical Greece tribes (from circa 800 BC)
Hellenes (Archaic and Classical Greece after Late Bronze Age collapse and Dorian Invasion)
Central and Eastern Greek tribes (Aeolians, Achaeans and Ionians)
Achaeans (Broader sense) - They lived in Eastern, East Central and Southern Greece (Mycenean Greece) before Dorian migrations or Dorian invasions (after that most Achaeans were displaced or assimilated by Dorians in Southern Greece regions, except for Arcadia). They spoke Mycenean Greek that was the ancestor of Aeolic, Arcado-Cypriot and IonicGreek dialects of Classical Greece.
Central Greek tribes (Aeolians and Achaeans)
Aeolians - They spoke Aeolic Greek dialects (archaic dialects that preserved some Mycenean Greek features).
Dryopes - They lived in Dryopis, later known as Doris (after driven out by the Malians, a Dorian tribe, many scattered to other Greek regions)
Thessalians - They lived in Thessaly (Thessalia/Aeolia). Mount Olympus is on the border between Thessaly and Macedon.
Achaeans, Phtiothis - They lived in Achaea Phthiotis.
Dolopes? - They lived in Dolopia (mostly considered a Thessalian tribe)
Histiaeoteans - They lived in Histiaeotis, Thessaly's Northwest district.
Perrhaebi (Perraiboí) - They lived in Perrhaebia, Thessaly's northernmost district.
Thessalians Proper - They lived in Thessaliotis.
Asia Minor Aeolians - They lived in Aeolis, Northwestern Anatolian coast.
Achaeans (Narrower sense) (Arcado-Cyprian tribes) - They spoke Arcado-Cypriot Greekdialects (archaic dialects that preserved some Mycenean Greek features).
Arcadians - They lived in Arcadia (Central Peloponnese Peninsula) and were a pre-Dorian invasion or Dorian migration Greek tribal confederation.
Triphylians - They were a group of three tribes (Tri - Three, Phylai -Tribes) that lived in Western Peloponnese, in southern part of Elis (south of Alpheiós river) but saw themselves as Arcadians and not Eleans.
Pamphylians - They lived in Pamphylia (South-West Anatolia).
Eastern Greek tribes (Ionians)
Ionians - They spoke Ionic Greek dialects (basis of the Greek Koiné and his descendant Modern Greek).
Oldest tribes (Phylai)
Attics - They lived in Attica (included ancient Athenians) (Marathon is in Attica)
Aiantis (named after Ajax) (Aeschylus was a member of this tribe)
Akamantis/Acamantis (named after Acamas) (Pericles was a member of this tribe)
Antiochis (named after Antiochus, son of Heracles) (Socrates was a member of this tribe)
Erechtheis (named after Erechtheus) (Critias may also have been a member of this tribe)
Hippothontis (named after Hippothoon)
Leontis (named after Leos, son of Orpheus) (Themistocles was a member of this tribe)
Euboeans (West Ionians) - They lived in Euboea Island.
Chalcidicians, Euboean - They lived in the Peninsula of Chalcidicia (many were descendants from Euboean colonies from the cities of Chalcis and Eretria).
Catanians - They lived in Catania, Magna Graecia (many were descendants from a Euboean colony from the city of Chalcis).
Cumaeans - They lived in Cumae, that was founded by settlers from Euboeaisland (from Chalcis and Eretria cities) in Magna Graecia. It was one of the Greek colonies that most influenced ancient Etruscan and Roman cultures, namely by the introduction of the Alphabet. Cumae by itself was the Metropolisof other poleis in southern Italy coast, including Nea Polis (New City), today's Naples (it was to the West and close of Naples).
Neapolitans - They lived in Naples (many were descendants from Rhodean and Ionic colonies, the last ones were more numerous).
Ionians, Cycladian (Central Ionians) - They lived in Cyclades Islands. Delos Island that had the important Delos sanctuary was in this group of islands.
Chalcidicians, Cycladian - They lived in the Peninsula of Chalcidicia (many were descendants of a colony from Andros Island).
Asia Minor Ionians (East Ionians) - They lived in Ionia, Western Anatolian coast.
Western Greek tribes (Dorians and Macedonians)
Dorians - They spoke Doric Greek dialects (that were not descendants of Mycenean Greek but from a common Proto-Greek language).
Northwestern Doric Greek tribes - They spoke North-West Doric Greek dialect
Acarnanians, Northwestern Greek - They lived in Acarnania (this region had two groups of Greeks: the native Northwestern Greek Acarnanians and the Dorians Proper Acarnanians, many of whom were descendants from Corinthian colonies).
Achaean Dorians - Many were Achaeans assimilated by Dorians. They spoke a Northwest Greek dialect but with a stronger Achaean Greek substrate. They spoke Achaean Doric Greek (not to be confused with Achaean Greek).
Achaean Dorians of Peloponnese - They lived in Achaea (whose older name was Aegialus/Aegialea and was dwelt by Ionians) (North Peloponnese Peninsula).
Crotoneans - They lived in Crotone (Eastern Calabria coast), Magna Graecia(many were descendants from an Achaean colony from the city of Rhypes).
Achaean Dorians of the Islands
Doulicheis - Older dwellers of Leucas/Lefkada Island (before Corinthian colonization). Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
Ithacians - They lived in Ithaca Island (the land of the lengendary Odysseus, the main character of the Odyssey and also one of the main ones in the Iliad whose author is traditionally thought to be Homer). Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
Kefalloneis - They lived in Kephalonia Island. Before Dorian Invasion or migration it was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
Zakynthians - They lived in Zakynthos Island. Before Dorian Invasion or migrationit was dwelt by Ionians (thus the name Ionic Islands).
Aenianians - They lived in Aeniania/Ainis.
Amphilochians - They lived in Amphilochia.
Eleans - They lived in Elis (West Peloponnese Peninsula). Olympia, were the Ancient Olympic Games were held was in Elis.
Epirotes (Epirotic Dorians) - They lived in Epirus.
Chaonians - They lived in Chaonia.
Subtribes or Clans: Dassaretae
Molossians - A tribal confederation. They lived in Molossis/Molossia.
Aethikes/Aethices - They lived on Mount Pindus and in the neighborhood of Mount Tomarus.
Amantes/Abantes/Avantes[3] - They lived in Amantia. May have been a hellenized Illyrian tribe related to the Amantini.
Apheidantes - They were named after king Apheidas.
Athamanians (or Athamanes) - They lived in Athamania
Dodonaioi or Selloi [5] - Dodona sanctuary and oracle was in their land.
Parauaei/Paroraioi - They lived in Parauaea, Northern Pindus Mountains.
Paroraioi (Paroraei) - They lived in the western slopes of Mount Tymphe, Northern Pindus Mountains.
Talares - They lived on Mount Pindus and in the neighborhood of Mount Tomarus.
Tymphaeans - They lived in Tymphaea, eastern slopes of Mount Tymphe.
Thesprotians - They lived in Thesprotia.
Subtribes or Clans: Aegestaeoi; Chimerioi; Eleaeoi; Elinoi; Ephyroi; Elopes; Fanoteis; Farganaeoi; Fylates; Graeci; Ikadotoi; Kartatoi; Kassopaioi (Kassopaeans);[7] Kestrinoi; Klauthrioi; Kropioi; Larissaeoi; Onopernoi; Opatoi; Parauaioi; Tiaeoi; Torydaeoi.
Malians - They lived in Malia/Malis. Thermopylae was in their land.
Oeteans - They lived in Oetaea, included Mount Oeta.
Phoceans - They lived in Phocis. Delphi sanctuary and oracle was in their land (on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus).
Dorians Proper They spoke Doric Greek dialects.
Oldest tribes (Phylai)
Argives - They lived in Argolis (East Peloponnese Peninsula).
Corinthians - They lived in Corinthia (Isthmus of Corinth and North-East Peloponnese Peninsula). Many Greek colonies were of Corinthian origin (i.e. Corinth was the Metropolis - Mother City, the origin of many Greek colonies).
Acarnanians, Dorians Proper - They lived in Acarnania (this region had two groups of Greeks: the native Northwestern Greek Acarnanians and the Dorians Proper Acarnanians, many of whom were descendants from Corinthian colonies).
Ambracians - Descendants of a Corinthian colony. They lived in Ambracia.
Kerkyreans/Corcyraeans - Descendants of a Corinthian colony. They lived in Kerkyra/Corfu (Corcyra). (Phaeacians may have been the original inhabitants and called their island Scheria).
Leucadians - Descendants of a Corinthian colony. They lived in Leucas (Lefkada) Island.
Syracusans - They lived in Syracuse in South-East Sicily Island, Magna Graecia (many were descendants from a Corinthian colony).
Cythereans - They lived in Cythera (Kythera/Kythira) Island, south of Peloponnese Peninsula.
Dorians (of Doris) - They lived in Doris (Upper Cephissus river valley). They were viewed as a people close to the land were Dorians originated - roughly south Epirus and Aetolia in Northwest Greece (when they migrated towards south).
Laconians - They lived in Laconia (South Peloponnese Peninsula).
Spartans-Lacedaemonians - They lived in Sparta/Lacedaemon a part of Laconia (South Peloponnese Peninsula).
Tarantinoi - They lived in Taranto, Magna Graecia (many were descendants from a Spartan colony).
Messenians - They lived in Messenia (South-West Peloponnese Peninsula).
Macedonians (Makedónes) and Magnetes
Macedonians - They lived in Ancient Macedonia and they spoke a version of the Doric dialect.
Argeads - According to their oral tradition their tribe originally came from Argos, in Argolis, Eastern Peloponnese Peninsula (Argeads = Argives) (origin of the Macedonian ruling dynasty - The Argeads - House of Argos).
Magnetes - They lived in Magnesia (most of Thessaly's coastal region). They were seen by ancient Greeks as a people that shared a common ancestor with the Macedonians.
References
Roger D. Woodard (2008), "Greek dialects", in: The Ancient Languages of Europe, ed. R. D. Woodard, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 51.
Wilkes, John. The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe). Wiley-Blackwell, 1995, p. 97.
The Illyrian Atintani, the Epirotic Atintanes and the Roman Protectorate N. G. L. Hammond, The Journal of Roman Studies Vol. 79 (1989), pp. 11-25 "There were Illyrian Amantini in Pannonia and Greek Amantes in North Epirus"
Mogens Herman Hansen and Thomas Heine Nielsen. An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis. Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 345.
Mogens Herman Hansen and Thomas Heine Nielsen. An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis. Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 338.
John Boardman and Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière Hammond. The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 3, Part 3: The Expansion of the Greek World, Eighth to Sixth Centuries B.C. Cambridge University Press, 1992, p. 284.
Woodhouse, William John. Aetolia: Its Geography, Topography, and Antiquities. Clarendon Press, 1897, p. 70. "Ptolemy, however, makes them neighbours of the Epirot tribe of the Kassopaioi, who lived on the coast of the Ionian sea."
