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Ilia
has a long and varied history. Most of Ilia was taken over by Epians
during the archaic era. Epians owe their origin to the Achaians who
immigrated to Ilida in 1500 B.C. It is believed that the area was named after King Ilios, the son of Amphimahos and Hyrmine. Other famous Kings of Ilia were Aethlios, Endymionas, Herpeios, Aitolos and Ifitos. According to Pausanias, Ifitos revived the Olympic games. |
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Regarding
the Olympic games, the first two Olympic champions, Koroevos and
Symahos came from Ilia. |
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During Macedonian
Hellenism, the Ilians were forced
by Philip II to be ruled by the Macedonian – friendly group of
aristocrats. A little while later in 146 B.C. the Roman general Lefkios Mommios conquered Ilia which then became a part of the Roman Empire. Ilia was granted autonomy in 54-68 B.C.
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In 394 B.C. the Emperor Theodosios the Great abolished
the Olympic Games because he thought them to be a "paganistic
remnant". Around the 8th century a number of Slavs settled here.
Later the Arabs (881 A.D.),Bulgarians (978 A.D.), the Venetians (1125
A.D.) and the Normans (1150A.D.) invaded Ilia. However they were all
defeated and had to abandon the Peloponnese. |
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During the Venetian occupation (1687-1775
A.D)
Ilia suffered devastation and the people were subject to religious
pressure by the Latins. Source
book: Tourist guide of Ilias |
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