The Cassopaei (Greek: Κασσωπαῖοι) were an ancient Greek tribe living in ancient Epirus and occupying the coast between Thesprotia and the Ambracian Gulf, and bordering upon Nicopolis; their chief town was Cassope (Κασσώπη).[1][2][3][4] The Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax describes the Cassopaei as living in villages;[5] but they afterwards rose to such power as to obtain possession of Pandosia, Buchaetium, and Elateia.[6] We learn from another authority that Batiae was also in their territory.[7]

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  1. ^ Hatzopoulos 2007, "Since only Hellenes participated in the Panhellenic sacrifices and contests, it is obvious that the theoroi visited only communities which considered themselves and were considered by the others as Greek. [...] Similarly the [theorodokoi] section Epirus lists the states of Pandosia, Kassopa, Thesprotoi, Poionos, Korkyra, Chaonia, Artichia, Molossoi, Ambrakia, Argos (of Amphilochia). Of these the Elean colony of Pandosia and the Corinthian colonies of Korkyra and Ambrakia represent the southern Greek element, while Kassopa, the Thesprotoi, the Molossoi, Chaonia and Argos the "native" Epirote one. (Nothing is known of Poionos and Artichia). The important point is that colonial cities, Epirote cities and Epirote ethne, republican and monarchical alike, are considered equally Greek and invited to the great panhellenic sacrifices at Epidauros."
  2. ^ Strabo. Geographica. Vol. vii. p.324, et seq. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  3. ^   Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Cassope". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
  4. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v. Κασσωπία πόλις.
  5. ^ Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax, p. 12
  6. ^ Demosthenes, On Halonnesus 33.
  7. ^ Theopompus ap. Harpocr. s.v. Ἐλάτεια

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Cassope". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

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