Achaean etymology

Etymology:

The term "Achaean" (Ἀχαιοί, Achaioi in Greek) is derived from the Proto-Greek word *Akhaiwoi, which is cognate with the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂ek̂- ("horse").

Meaning:

Achaeans were an ancient group of Greek-speaking people who inhabited the Peloponnese and other regions of southern Greece. They are generally associated with the Mycenaean civilization and with the Homeric epics, the Iliad and Odyssey.

Origin:

The origin of the Achaeans is not entirely clear. Some theories suggest that they may have been indigenous to Greece, while others propose that they migrated from elsewhere in the Indo-European world.

Archaeological evidence indicates that the Achaeans emerged as a distinct group during the Late Bronze Age (c. 1600-1100 BCE). They established a number of powerful city-states, including Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos.

The Achaeans played a significant role in the Trojan War, which is believed to have taken place around the 13th century BCE. According to Homer, the Achaeans led the Greek forces against the city of Troy.

After the fall of the Mycenaean civilization around 1100 BCE, the Achaeans gradually assimilated into the broader Greek population. However, their name continued to be used in ancient Greek literature and mythology as a synonym for "Greeks."

Achaean relate terms

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