Abantes Greeks Discussion

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The Abantes were an ancient Ionian Greek tribe whose home was the island of Euboea. They were not Ionians themelves but rather assimilated into Ionian customs and culture. Aristotle believed the Abantes were originally Thracians from the Phocian city of Abae who had colonized the island in pre-historic times. Myth claims the first king of the Abantes was the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. They had a reputation for being fierce spearmen and a warlike people. Herodotus states that many Abantes from Euboea established colonies in Chios and Asia Minor. Homer describes them as wearing their hair short in the front and long in the back to prevent enemy warriors from grabbing their hair.