A district in the northwestern portion of the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
The people of Elis were called Epeians and Eleans; the Epeians preceded the Eleans as inhabitants of Elis. Both names are used in the Iliad but Epeians seems to be the most common.
Prior to the Trojan War, the people of Elis were in constant conflict with the city of Pylos, which was located directly south of Elis on the Peloponnesian Peninsula. At the time of the Trojan War, Elis and Pylos were no longer adversaries.
The Epeian Achaians were divided into four groups, each with a different commander. A total of forty ships from Elis sailed to Troy, which would have carried approximately 4,600 Achaian (Achaean) soldiers. The Epeian commanders were—Amphimakhos (Amphimachus), Diores, Polyxeinos (Polyxeinus), and Thalpios (Thalpius). The territory of the Epeians included—Alesion (Alesium), Bouprasion (Buprasium), the city of Elis, Hyrmine, Myrsinos (Myrsinus), and the Olenie Rock (rock of Olen).
Approximate Geographic Center
Latitude North, Longitude East
37.7730, 21.5348
| References: Homer, Iliad book 2, lines 615, 626; book 11, lines 673, 686, 698 Pausanias, Description of Greece book 5 [Elis 1]; book 6 [Elis 2] |