The image of Neoptolemus in the genealogy of the Molossian Aeacidae

Abstract

Some regions of Ancient Hellas, located on the border of the barbarian and Greek worlds and lagging behind in political and cultural terms, sought to prove their «Greek» origin in one way or another. This was especially true of the royal dynasties, which, deriving their genealogy from mythical heroes, thereby substantiated their claims to Greek origin. A similar example is the Molossian dynasty of the Aeacids, ruling in Epirus, which traced its origins to the mythical hero Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. This happened at a time when Epirus and the ruling dynasty emerged from the historical shadows and began to participate more actively in pan-Greek affairs. The main source for this was the stories from the Trojan War, telling of the return of the heroes after the defeat of Troy. Often, representatives of the royal dynasty were given the names of mythical heroes at birth, which was supposed to serve as confirmation of their high origin. Over time, the genealogy of the Molossian kings was supplemented and expanded by introducing new mythological persons. During the reign of King Pyrrhus, his wife Lanassa was included in the heroic genealogy of the Molossian kings. The name Neoptolemus was also borne by two real persons in Epirus history, but their fates were not happy.