The Eleian 'Asylia': A Defence of the Ancient Texts

Abstract

A number of passages in ancient texts suggest that for much of the archaic and classical periods Eleia was considered a sacred and inviolable land, immune from invasion. While contemporary scholars, referring to the work of Georg Busolt and Eduard Meyer, reject the testimony of Polybios, Strabo, Diodoros and Phlegon in regard to the Eleian 'asylia', a careful examination of Busoult's arguments reveals that they are highly speculative. Meyer offers little in addition. Instances of Eleian warfare in the ancient sources, furthermore, are not the conclusive evidence against the 'asylia' that they appear at first glance.