Elymians

The Elymians were an ancient people who inhabited western Sicily during the Bronze Age and Classical period. Their principal cities were Segesta, Eryx (modern Erice), and Entella. The Elymians are believed to have predated the arrival of the Sicels and Sicans, the other major indigenous groups of Sicily.

Their origins are shrouded in mystery, with ancient writers offering varying accounts. Thucydides claimed they were Trojans who fled after the fall of Troy and settled in Sicily. This origin myth was likely promoted by the Elymians themselves, particularly those of Segesta, to associate themselves with a prestigious and culturally significant heritage. Other theories suggest a connection to peoples of Anatolia or even the Ligurians of northwestern Italy. Modern scholarship generally regards the Elymians as an indigenous Sicilian people with possible cultural influences from elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

The Elymians were in frequent conflict with the Greek cities established along the Sicilian coast, particularly Selinus. This conflict led to the involvement of Athens in Sicilian affairs in the 5th century BCE, culminating in the disastrous Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415-413 BCE, which was partially instigated by Segesta's plea for assistance against Selinus. They also allied with Carthage against the Greeks.

The Elymians gradually adopted aspects of Greek culture, including their alphabet, art, and architecture. Their temples, such as the unfinished Doric temple at Segesta, demonstrate a clear Greek influence. However, they retained their own distinct identity and language, though very little of the Elymian language survives. Evidence suggests it was distinct from both Greek and the languages of the Sicels and Sicans.

The Elymians were eventually absorbed into the Roman Republic after the First Punic War (264-241 BCE). Their cities, particularly Segesta and Eryx, continued to be important centers during the Roman period, and their cultural legacy contributed to the complex tapestry of ancient Sicilian history. The Roman author Virgil later reinforced the Trojan origin myth in his epic poem, the Aeneid, further cementing the Elymians' connection to a legendary past.