the oracle of Dodona. She concludes that the same trend that was followed separately by the whole Greek world of the early historical period, was also embraced by Epirus, a fact that implies that the Homeric and rest of the Epic Cycle poems, would have been known in the region from around the time of their main composition, through wandering aoidoi, who traveled and recited poems throughout the Greek-speaking world. In Virgil's Aeneid, Chaon is described as a Trojan hero and the eponymous ancestor of the Chaonians. The story is unclear as to whether he was the friend or the brother of Helenus, but in either case, he accompanied him to the court of Neoptolemus. The story concerning Chaon's death is as unclear as that of his relationship to Helenus. Chaon was either killed in a hunting accident or offered himself as a sacrifice to the gods during an epidemic, thus saving the lives of his countrymen. In either case, when Helenus became the ruler of the country, he named a part of the kingdom after Chaon. According to Hadeli, even though the Aeniad was written between 29 and 19 BC, this myth originated after the Macedonian Wars, and has its roots at least in the 2nd century BC. She explains it as an attempt of the Romans to better associate themselves with the Chaonians through a common Trojan origin (like the former had through Aeneas), and second, to disassociate them ideologically from the Molossians (and consequently the pro-Macedonian faction), since Helenus – being the Chaonian mythical progenitor – is presented as a mere slave of Neoptolemus (progenitor of the Molossians) who only came to power after his death. List of Chaonians Photius and Nicanor, leaders of the Chaonians in the Peloponnesian War (circa 431–421 BC). Doropsos , theorodokos in Epidauros (circa 365 BC). Antanor (son of Euthymides), proxenos in Delphi (325–275 BC). Peukestos, proxenos in Thyrrheion, Acarnania (3rd century BC) . Myrtilos, officer who gave proxeny decree to Boeotian Kallimelos (late 3rd century BC). Boiskos (son of Messaneos), prostates (late 3rd century BC). Lykidas (son of Hellinos), prostates (circa 232–168 BC). -tos (son of Lysias), winner in Pale (wrestling) Panathenaics (194/193 BC). Charops, father of Machatas, father of Charops the Younger - philoroman politicians (2nd century BC). See also Tribes of Epirus Dexari References Citations Sources Further reading Ancient tribes in Albania Ancient tribes in Epirus Greek tribes