The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race, Vol. 1 of 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

33743

Title

The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race, Vol. 1 of 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Professor Karl Otfried Müller traces the history and antiquities of the Doric race, arguing that their worship of Apollo defines their identity across Greece and Crete. This scholarly volume examines the migration of the Dorians, their religious institutions, and their interactions with non-Greek tribes like the Illyrians and Thracians.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race*, Professor Karl Otfried Müller presents a rigorous historical analysis defining the origins, movements, and cultural evolution of the Dorian people. Central to his argument is the assertion that the worship of Apollo and Artemis served as the primary marker distinguishing Dorian settlements from Pelasgian and other non-Hellenic populations. Müller meticulously reconstructs the sacred processions originating in Tempe, tracing their route through Thessaly, Doris, and Crete to Delphi. He firmly challenges theories linking Apollo's worship to Eastern origins, insisting instead on a purely Hellenic derivation rooted in Dorian expansion. A significant portion of the work addresses the complex ethnic makeup of Macedonia and Epirus. Müller utilizes geographical evidence, dialect analysis, and archaeological traditions to argue that while the ruling Macedonian family adopted Greek civilization, the core population retained distinct Illyrian characteristics. He details how political conquests reshaped ethnic boundaries, displacing or incorporating various tribes such as the Phrygians, Bottiaeans, and Almopians. For instance, he notes that the ancient inhabitants of Emathia were likely Pelasgians, while other groups like the Lyncestae and Elimiots in Upper Macedonia preserved their Illyrian identity. Müller further explores the mythology surrounding Apollo's purification after slaying the Python and his subsequent establishment of sanctuaries at Delphi, Cnosus, and elsewhere. He examines how these religious institutions spread with the Dorian nation, noting that the worship was not co-extensive with the race but advanced alongside it. The text provides a definitive account of the Dorians' intellectual existence and their role in shaping early Greek history. Regarding Macedonia specifically, Müller distinguishes between the Illyrian descent of the common people and the Hellenic refinements introduced by the royal house. He points out that while customs like tattooing and specific military badges were eventually discontinued under Greek influence, deep cultural markers such as dialect, dress (the *causia* cap), and hair style remained distinctly Illyrian among mountain tribes even after centuries of Macedonian rule. Ultimately, Müller concludes that the Macedonians were originally an Illyrian race that gradually incorporated Grecian elements through conquest and the civilizing influence of their kings, rather than being a purely Greek nation from the outset.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Classics
• History