Author Description

Originally a thesis, this detailed study traces the mythological and political history of the `Aeacidae' kings, Molossians who believed they were descended from Ptolemeus, the son of Achilles. The first half of the study focuses on the legend of Neoptolemus in oral tradition, in the Odyssey, in Pindar and in Greek theatre. Funke also considers the significance of Delphi, the burial place of Neoptolemus. The second half of the study examines the political history of the Molossi tribes of Epirus, until the fall of the dynasty in 232 BC.