There are three and only three names of ordinary use in the Iliad, by which the poet designates the people that had been banded together against Troy. This same people afterwards became famous in history, perhaps beyond all others, first by the name of Hellenes, which was self-applied; and secondly by the name of Greeks, which they acquired from their Italian conquerors and captives. Greece is now again become Hellas.
These names, prominent far beyond all others, are,
1. Δαναοὶ, Danaans.
2. Ἀργεῖοι, Argeians or Argives.
3. Ἀχαιοὶ, Achæans.
They are commonly treated as synonymous. It appears at least to have been assumed that they are incapable of yielding any practical results to an attempt at historic analysis and distribution. To try this question fully, is a main part of my present purpose. Thus much at least is clear: that they seem to be the equivalents, for the Troic period, of the Hellenic name in later times.
But there are other names, of various classes, which on account of their relations to the foregoing ones it is material to bring into view.
First, there are found in Homer two other designations, which purport to have the same effect as the three already quoted. They are
1. Παναχαιοὶ, Panachæans.
2. Πανέλληνες, Panhellenes.