EPIRUS (region in Molossis)
Historical region of present-day Greece and Albania
- Also called
- Epeirus
- Kind of place
- Region
- Region
- Molossis
- Where
- 39.74° N, 20.70° E
Epirus has coasts adjacent to the Ceraunian Mountains. Strabo 6.3.8 The river Acheron empties into the gulf near the harbour Glycys-Limen. Strabo 7.7.5 Theseus and Peirithous traveled to Epirus to seek the king's daughter. Plutarch, Theseus 31.4
Described in the sources
The city of Buthrotos is situated within the region of Epirus. Ovid Met. 13.719-897 +1 Epirus is described as a fictitious Troy. Ovid Met. 13.719-897 Epirus is located to the west of Macedonia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶1 Epirus begins at the coastal town of Oricum. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 Islands are located along the coast of Epirus. Strabo 2.5.30 The Dryopes people inhabit the area of Epirus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.1 ¶1 The inland territory extends as far as the gulf. Strabo 7.7.5 Epirus is located near the land of the Phæacians. Ovid Met. 13.719-897 Pyrrhus is identified as the king of this region. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.16 ¶1 The Hellopes people reside in the region of Epirus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.1 ¶1
Stories and history
The Trojans reached Epirus during their journey. Ovid Met. 13.719-897 Epiros prepares its young horses for war by bridling them. Statius, Achilleid 1.417-444 ¶1 Alexander, the king of Epirus, died at the city of Pandosia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.15 ¶2 A twenty-one foot gnomon casts a sixteen foot shadow in Epirus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶5 Illyrians living near the Ionian sea raided and subdued the Epirots. Pausanias 4.35.5 The entire region was once subject to the Chaones and later to the Molotti. Strabo 7.7.5 Deidameia transferred the government of the region to its people before dying. Pausanias 4.35.3 The local cattle were bred to reach a very large size under specific restrictions. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 8.70 ¶1 Most of the area is now uninhabited, with settlements reduced to villages or ruins. Strabo 7.7.9 King Pyrrhus is credited with improving the local cattle breed through careful management. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 8.70 ¶1