Achaeans
/əˈkiːənz/noun
Achaeans are the ancient Greek people of Achaea, especially the Greeks of Homeric epic.
Did you know?In Homer, “Achaeans” is one of the main collective names for the Greeks, preserving a Bronze Age ethnic label that later became a poetic, almost spell-like way to summon an entire civilization.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ak-
“to be sharp, pointed”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀχαιοί (Achaioí)
“the Achaeans, an ancient Greek people”
Classical Greek
Greek
Ἀχαΐα (Achaía)
“Achaea, the region associated with the Achaeans”
Latin
Latin
Achaei
“the Achaeans”
Old French
Old French
Acheens
“Achaeans; Greeks of Homeric tradition”
Modern English
English
Achaeans
“ancient Greeks, especially in Homeric usage”