1 Introduction

In 1750 BC, a great flood occurred in the upper reaches of the Cephisus River, north of Mount Parnassus. [1]

Led by Phoroneus, son of Inachus, people sought new life and migrated to the Peloponnesus Peninsula. They settled on the edge of the plain and founded Phoroneus (later Argos). [2]

In 1560 BC, the Pelasgians, who lived in Argos, were attacked by Mycenae and migrated to various places.

2 Pelasgus, the Progenitor, and Arcas, the Eponym

In 1560 BC, Pelasgus, son of Agenor, son of Triopas, migrated to the vicinity of Mount Lycaeus (now Mount Lykaion, 1,421 m above sea level), about 70 km west-southwest of Argos. [3]

Pelasgus' grandfather, Triopas, was the son of Phorbas, son of Criasus, son of Argus, son of Niobe, daughter of Phoroneus.

Pelasgus was the first to live in Arcadia and became the Progenitor of the Arcadians.

In 1525 BC, Pelasgus' son, Lycaon, founded Lycosura at the foot of Mount Lycaeus. [4]

The Pelasgians later changed their name to Arcadians after Arcas, son of Callisto. [5]

Arcas was a contemporary of Triptolemus, son of Celeus. [6]

Celeus was the son of Rharus, son of Cranaus, the second king of Athens. [7]

Arcas was therefore a contemporary of Pandion, the fifth king of Athens.

Arcas founded Trapezus near the Alpheius River. [8]

It is believed that the people living in the region began to be called Arcadians around 1405 BC.

3 Migration from Arcadia to Crete

In 1450 BC, the Arcadians, led by the sons of Tegeates, son of Lycaon, migrated from Tegea to Crete. [9]

Their migration was due to famine. [10]

Tegeates' sons, Cydon, Gortys, and Archedius, founded Cydonia, Gortyna, and Catreus. [11]

3.1 Migration from Crete to Troad

In 1435 BC, the Telchines, led by Teucrus, migrated from Aptera in Crete to Troad, settling near Mount Ida. [12]

Teucrus's migration likely included Arcadians from Cydonia, founded by Cydon, son of Tegeates. [13]

In 1420 BC, the Arcadians, led by Dardanus, migrated from Arcadia via Samothrace to Troad and lived alongside Teuclus. [14]

3.2 Migration from Crete to Troad

In 1390 BC, Minos, son of Europa, migrated from Crete to Troad. [15]

Migrating with Minos to Troad were the Dorians of Cnossus and the Arcadians of Cydonia.

3.2.1 Migration from Troad to Colchis

In 1370 BC, Asterios, son of Minos, migrated from Troad to Colchis. [16]

3.3 Migration from Troad to Crete

In 1295 BC, Minos and Sarpedon, sons of Lycastus, descendants of Minos, son of Europa, migrated from Troad to Crete. [17]

Minos lived in Cnossus, Crete. [18]

Sarpedon lived in Milatos, Crete. [19]

3.3.1 Migration from Crete to Asia Minor

In 1294 BC, Minos' brother, Sarpedon, migrated from Milatos, Crete, to Caria and participated in the founding of Miletus. [20]

In 1289 BC, Sarpedon migrated from Miletus to Milyas (later Lycia). [21]

3.3.2 Migration from Crete to Paros

In 1265 BC, Minos' sons, Eurymedon, Nephalion, Chryses, and Philolaus, migrated from Crete to Paros. [22]

Paros was also called Minoia. [23]

In 1250 BC, Alcaeus and Sthenelus, two sons of Minos' son Androgeus, migrated from Crete to Paros. [24]

In 1244 BC, Alcaeus and Sthenelus migrated from Paros to Thasus. [25]

3.3.3 Migration from Crete to Athens

In 1241 BC, Minos' daughter Phaedra was married to Theseus, son of Aegeus, who lived in Athens. [26]

With Phaedra, Ceramus, son of Minos' daughter Ariadne, migrated to Athens and became the eponym of the Cerameicus. [27]

With Ceramus, many potters migrated from Crete, and the Cerameicus became the Potters' Quarter. [28]

3.3.4 Migration from Crete to Apulia

In 1230 BC, a group of immigrants led by Minos' son Cleolaus settled in Apulia in southeastern part of the Italian peninsula. Cleolaus named his tribe Daunii after his son Daunus. [29]

Euippe, daughter of Daunus, son of Cleolaus, married Diomedes, son of Tydeus, who led the Aetolians to Apulia. [30]

3.3.5 Migration from Crete to Rhodes

In 1230 BC, Althaemenes and Apemosyne, children of Catreus, son of Minos, migrated from Crete to Rhodes. [31]

3.3.6 Migration from Crete to Libya

In 1230 BC, Amphithemis, son of Acacallis, daughter of Minos, migrated from Tarra in Crete to Libya. [32]

3.3.7 Migration from Crete to Aegina

In 1205 BC, Britomartis, daughter of Carme, daughter of Acacallis, daughter of Minos, migrated from Crete to Aegina. [33]

3.4 Migration from Troad to Chios

In 1295 BC, Rhadamanthys, son of Lycastus, a descendant of Minos, son of Europa, migrated from Troad to Chios. [34]

3.4.1 Migration from Chios to Boeotia

In 1264 BC, Rhadamanthys migrated to Onchestus in Boeotia via Crete. [35]

3.4.2 Migration from Chios to Asia Minor

In 1230 BC, Erythrus, son of Minos' brother Rhadamanthys, migrated across Chios and founded Erythrae. [36]

4 Migration from Arcadia to Eleia

In 1450 BC, Caucon, son of Lycaon, migrated from Arcadia to southern Eleia and founded Lepreum. [37]

The Arcadians, led by Caucon, changed their name to Caucones. [38]

In 1330 BC, Caucon's descendants, the brothers Phrixus and Makistus, founded Phrixa and Makistos in southern Eleia. [39]

In 1330 BC, the Arcadians living in Heraea, Arcadia, advanced into Eleia under the leadership of Oenomaus and founded Harpina. [39-1]

In 1315 BC, Oenomaus expelled Pisus, son of Perieres, who lived in Pisa near Harpina, from the city and became ruler of Pisa. [39-2]

Oenomaus also seized Olympia, then under Elis' control, and held the Olympic Games there. [39-3]

In 1265 BC, the Caucones living in Phigalia, Arcadia, led by Lepreus, son of Pyrgeus, migrated to southern Eleia and founded Lepreus. [39-4]

4.1 Migration from Eleia to Lycia

In 1250 BC, the Caucones living in Lepreus migrated to Lycia. [39-5]

4.2 Migration from Lycia to Paphlagonia

In 1238 BC, Bellerophontes living in Lycia launched an expedition to fight the Amazons who had invaded Troad. [39-6]

The Caucones, who were under Hittite rule, were dispatched to Troad with the Bellerophontes as reinforcements for Troy, a Hittite vassal state.

The Caucones settled around Tieium near the mouth of the Parthenius River in Paphlagonia. [39-7]

5 Migration from Arcadia to Samothrace

In 1430 BC, the Arcadians living in Methydrium, Arcadia, migrated to Samothrace under the leadership of Dardanus, son of Electra. [40]

Dardanus's mother's sister, Alcyone, her husband, Megassares, their two sons, Hyperenor and Hyrieus, and their daughter, Pharnace, also joined Dardanus' migration. [41]

Some of the Arcadians, led by Dardanus' brother, Emathion, settled on the Chalcidice Peninsula in Thracia. Emathion became ruler of Sithonia. [42]

Also, the Arcadians living in Parrhasia, Arcadia, migrated to Paros under the leadership of Parus, son of Parrhasius, son of Lycaon. [43]

5.1 Migration from Samothrace to Boeotia

In 1425 BC, Megassares and his family migrated to Thracia, joining Cadmus's migration group that stopped in Samothrace.

In 1420 BC, Megassares migrated from Thracia to Boeotia with Cadmus and founded Hyria. [44]

In 1390 BC, Megassares' son Hyrieus' sons, Nycteus and Lycus, migrated from Hyria to the foot of Mount Cithaeron and founded Hysiae. [45]

In 1370 BC, Eleuther, son of Megassares' daughter Aethusa, founded Eleutherae, about 6 km south-southeast of Hysiae, across Mount Cithaeron. [46]

In 1345 BC, Eleuther's sons, Amphion and Zethus, migrated from Eleutherae north over Mount Cithaeron to the west-southwest of Thebes and founded Eutresis. [47]

In 1295 BC, Damasistratus, son of Iasius, son of Eleuther, migrated north over Mount Cithaeron to the south-southwest of Thebes and founded Plataea. [48]

In 1270 BC, Poemander, son of Chaeresilaus, son of Iasius, son of Eleuther, migrated from Eleutherae to eastern Boeotia and founded Tanagra. [49]

5.1.1 Migration from Boeotia to Italy

In 1390 BC, Messapus migrated from Hyria to the southeastern part of the Italian peninsula. [50]

Messapus is believed to have been the son of Hyrieus, son of Megassares and Alcyone, daughter of Orchomenus. [51]

Peucetia, where Messapus settled, came to be called Messapia. [52]

Messapia also contained the city of Hyria. Herodotus attributes the city's founder to Iapyx, son of Daedalus, but it is believed to have been founded by Messapus. [53]

The Arcadians who migrated to Peucetia with Messapus changed their name to Messapians.

5.2 Migration from Samothrace to Troad

In 1420 BC, the Arcadians, led by Dardanus, migrated from Samothrace to the foot of Mount Ida in Troad after being hit by a tsunami. [54]

The Arcadians lived alongside the Teucrians (Telchines) who lived in Teucris. [55]

Dardanus married Teucrus's daughter, Batea (or Batia, Arisbe), and succeeded Teucris. The town came to be called Dardanus. [56]

Dardanus became the founder of the Trojan Kingdom.

The Arcadians interbred with the Telchines and the people of Wilusa and changed their name to Trojans.

Furthermore, in 1390 BC, the Dorians, who migrated from Crete with Minos, interbred with the Trojans.

5.2.1 Migration from Troy to Sicily

In 1295 BC, a succession dispute arose in Troy. The defeated Trojans fled to Sicily, taking the daughters of Phaenodamas with them. [57]

In Sicily, Phaenodamas' daughter, Egesta, gave birth to a son named Aegestus (or Acestes). [58]

In 1244 BC, after the death of Laomedon, son of Ilus, the descendants of Assaracus, including Anchises, supported Aegestus as king of Troy and waged war. Aegestus and Anchises were defeated in battle and led the Trojans to settle in Sicily. [59]

Aegestus founded Aegesta (or Egesta) in the northwestern part of Sicily. [60]

5.2.1.1 Migration from Sicily to the Italian Peninsula

In 1184 BC, Aeneas, son of Anchises, led the Trojans in a migration from Sicily to central Italian Peninsula. [61]

Aeneas married Lavinia, daughter of Latinus, son of Faunus. [62]

Faunus was the founder of the Latins. [63]

The Trojans intermarried with the Latins and changed their name to Romans.

6 Migration from Arcadia to Ceos

In 1390 BC, the Arcadians (Parrhasians) migrated to Ceos under the leadership of Aristaeus. [64]

Aristaeus was the son of Archander, son of Achaeus, and Cyrene, daughter of Hypseus. [65]

Around the 6th century BC, Acontius, a descendant of Aristaeus, lived in Ceos. [66]

7 Migration from Arcadia to Phocis

In 1350 BC, the Arcadians, led by Elatus, son of Arcas, sided with the Phocians in a battle against the Phlegyans, who had invaded the sanctuary of Delphi. [67]

Elatus founded Elateia in Phocis. [68]

During Strabo's time, Elateia was the largest town in Phocis. [69]

8 Migration from Arcadia to the Italian Peninsula

In 1240 BC, the Arcadians, led by Evander, son of Themis, migrated from Pallantium in Arcadia to the Italian Peninsula. [79]

The Arcadians landed a short distance up the Tiber River in the midwestern part of the Italian Peninsula and settled near the Palatine Hill (later known as Rome). [80]

A group of Arcadians, led by the brothers Catillus, Coras, and Tiburnus, founded Tibur, approximately 30 km east-northeast of the Palatine Hill. [81]

In 1182 BC, Evander's son Pallas was killed in battle on Aeneas's side in a battle between Aeneas and Turnus, the Rutulian. [82]

In 1154 BC, the Arcadians who lived near the Palatine Hill migrated to Alba, founded by Aeneas' son Ascanius. [83]

However, some Arcadians continued to live near Palatine Hill, Faustulus, the adoptive father of Rome's founder, Romulus, was an Arcadian. [84]

The Arcadians intermarried with Latins and Trojans and changed their name to Romans.

9 Migration from Arcadia to Mysia

In 1230 BC, the Arcadians, who lived near Mount Parthenius in Arcadia, migrated to Mysia of Pergamene under the leadership of Telephus, son of Auge. [85]

Telephus's father is said to be Heracles, but his father was actually Clymenus, son of Schoeneus. Unable to tolerate Clymenus's tyranny, Telephus and the inhabitants migrated to Asia Minor. [86]

Telephus's mother, Auge, married Teuthras, the ruler of Mysia, and Telephus married Teuthras's daughter, Argiope. [87]

Telephus succeeded Teuthras as ruler of Mysia. [88]

Teuthras was a Maeonian, a name changed from the Pelasgians. The Arcadians who migrated with Teuthras intermarried with the Maeonians and changed their name to Mysians.

10 Trojan War

In 1188 BC, the Arcadians, led by Agapenor, son of Ancaeus, participated in the Achaeans' expedition to Troy. [89]

10.1 Migration from Arcadia to Cyprus

In 1186 BC, the Achaeans were defeated in a battle with Ilium. Led by Agapenor, the Arcadians fled from Troad to Cyprus and founded Paphos near Palaepaphos. [90]

Agapenor chose Cyprus as his destination for copper mining. [91]

10.2 Migration from Arcadia to Bithynia

In 1186 BC, the Arcadians (Mantineians) migrated to Bithynia and settled in Bithynium (later Claudiopolis) near the Sangarius River. [92]

Achaeans who migrated from Salmydessus in Thracia with Bithynus, son of Phineus, changed their name to Bithynians and inhabited Bithynia. [93]

Antinous, a favorite of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, was from Bithynium. [94]

After Antinous's death, Hadrian founded a temple to him in Mantineia, his ancestral home. [95]

11 Spread of Arcadians Settlements

In 1560 BC, the Arcadians were born near Mount Lycaeus in Arcadia.

In 1450 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to Crete.

In 1450 BC, the Caucones, who lived in Arcadia and changed their name from Arcadians, migrated to Eleia.

In 1435 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Crete migrated to Troad.

In 1430 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to Thracia, Paros, and Samothrace.

In 1425 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Samothrace joined Cadmus' migration and migrated to Boeotia.

In 1420 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Samothrace migrated to Troad and changed their name to Trojans.

In 1390 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Boeotia migrated to the Italian peninsula and changed their name to Messapians.

In 1390 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to Ceos.

In 1350 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to Phocis.

In 1295 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Troad migrated to Chios and Crete.

In 1294 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Crete migrated to Caria.

In 1289 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Caria migrated to Lycia.

In 1264 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Chios migrated to Boeotia via Crete.

In 1250 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Crete migrated to Paros.

In 1250 BC, the Caucones who lived in Eleia migrated to Lycia.

In 1244 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Paros migrated to Thasus.

In 1244 BC, the Trojans who lived in Troad migrated to Sicily.

In 1241 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Crete migrated to Athens.

In 1240 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to the Italian peninsula.

In 1238 BC, the Caucones who lived in Lycia migrated to Paphlagonia.

In 1230 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to Mysia.

In 1230 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Chios migrated to Asia Minor.

In 1230 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Crete migrated to Libya, Apulia, and Rhodes.

In 1205 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Crete migrated to Aegina.

In 1186 BC, the Arcadians who lived in Arcadia migrated to Bithynia and Cyprus.

In 1184 BC, the Trojans who lived in Sicily migrated to Italian peninsula and changed their name to Romans.

12 Greek Dark Ages

The majority of Arcadians lived in Arcadia.

The Trojans, who changed their name from Arcadians, lived in Troad and Sicily.

The Caucones, who changed their name from Arcadians, lived in Paphlagonia.

The Romans and Daunii, who changed their name from Arcadians, lived in central Italian peninsula.

The Arcadians also lived in Phocis, Mysia, Bithynia, Crete, Ceos, and Cyprus.

End