The Selloi ( Greek: Σελλοί) were an ancient Greek tribe [1] inhabiting Epirus in ancient Greece, in a region between Dodona—site of the oldest reported oracle—and the Achelous river; Aristotle named the area ancient Hellas. A group who were formerly called Graecians and later Hellenes lived there as well. [2] According to Homer, they were priests of the Dodonian Zeus. [3] Classicist and linguist Steve Reece has traced the Homeric name Selloi Σελλοί back to a historical tribe named Helloi Ἑλλοί (related to Hellas, Hellenes, etc). During the oral period of epic transmission one of Homer's bardic predecessors misheard a formulaic expression in which the name was embedded and metanalyzed "Helloi" as "Selloi." [4]
The Selloi ( Greek: Σελλοί) were an ancient Greek tribe [1] inhabiting Epirus in ancient Greece, in a region between Dodona—site of the oldest reported oracle—and the Achelous river; Aristotle named the area ancient Hellas. A group who were formerly called Graecians and later Hellenes lived there as well. [2] According to Homer, they were priests of the Dodonian Zeus. [3] Classicist and linguist Steve Reece has traced the Homeric name Selloi Σελλοί back to a historical tribe named Helloi Ἑλλοί (related to Hellas, Hellenes, etc). During the oral period of epic transmission one of Homer's bardic predecessors misheard a formulaic expression in which the name was embedded and metanalyzed "Helloi" as "Selloi." [4]