Legend of Cadmus and the issue of the origin of Encheleans

Abstract

Legend of Sidonian hero Cadmus and his wife Harmonia is one of the oldest legends connected with inhabitants of prehistoric Balkans. If we look at the writings of ancient writers and results of archaeological excavations, it is possible to include south Italy in wider spectrum of interaction of prehistoric Bronze Age societies. The earliest evidence, dating back to Homer, connects inhabitants of east Adriatic shore with snakes or eels. Encheleans were people who were named after cult of eel worshiped at Beotia on the shores of lake Copais. In later periods they were identified with Illyrians and could be connected with legend
of Cadmus and Phoenicians. Through the variety of ancient sources, the trace of northern Encheleans mentioned by Hecataeus, could be dated back to the Beotian Encheleans and Herodotus’ writings about land division using dice among Cadmus’  Phoenicians. In Herodotus writings and through the deaparture of Agave, Cadmus’ daughter to Illyrians, as well as in 
Cadmus’ departure to north, we can recognize contacts of Mycenaean world with northern areas. These contacts and interactions can be interpreted as a wish of Theban rulers for wealth of the north, for mines of Damastion and thick forests and good pastures. Various traditions speak about Cadmus’ arrival among Illyrians, founding of Lihnidos, Buthoё, trade over the area of Pangeas, as well as usage of mining and metallurgy after which Cadmus became respected as one of Kabiroi. Although it is impossible to confirm true existence of sidonian hero, we can look at him as personification of numerous contacts as well as the emergence of first traders who looked for the riches of the north. Interaction of these two areas, about which ancient authors left traces in the way of legend of Cadmus, could be confirmed by the results of archaeological excavations.  Tholos tombs at the Epirus, Mycenaean material on the Adriatic shores as well as interaction of cetina culture group with Peloponnesus witness about influences and contacts between these two areas in both ways. These contacts witness about Encheleans mentioned by Hekateos. Legends and traditions speak about Agave, Cadmus’ daughter, who left Cadmea – Thebes and married to Illyrian king Lycotherses. The moment of her arrival among Illyrians is at the same time the earliest mentioning
of Hecataeus’ northern Encheleans. Emergence of these Encheleans could be connected with cult of snake which was worshiped around Lake Copais as well as first mentioning of Illyrians. Connections between Illyrians and Encheleans are  manifested by the cults they worshiped, cult of eel or cult of snake, religious markings which influenced ancient Greeks to name them in that way. Encheleans were named as eel-men as early as they were present in Beotia and Illyrian name could be translated ad snake-men or eels. Encheleans are, due to their role in legend of Cadmus, eponymous people of Illyrian name and according to their cult of eel or snake, Greeks named them and their neighbors, autochthonous inhabitants of east Adriatic shore.