Editing Ancient Elis (section)

===Early history===
The original inhabitants of Elis were called [[Caucones]] and Paroreatae. They are mentioned by [[Homer]]<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134%3Abook%3D2%3Acard%3D615 Iliad 2.615]</ref> for the first time in Greek history under the title of Epeians (Epeii), as setting out for the Trojan War, and they are described by him as living in a state of constant hostility with their neighbours the Pylians. At the close of the 11th century BC the [[Dorians]] invaded the [[Peloponnese]], and Elis fell to the share of [[Oxylus]] and the [[Aetolia]]ns.<ref name="EB1911"/>

These people, amalgamating with the Epeians, formed a powerful kingdom in the north of Elis. After this many changes took place in the political distribution of the country, till at length it came to acknowledge only three tribes, each independent of the others. These tribes were the Epeians, [[Minyans|Minyae]] and Eleans. Before the end of the 8th century BC, however, the Eleans had vanquished both their rivals, and established their supremacy over the whole country. Among the other advantages which they thus gained was the right of celebrating the [[Ancient Olympic Games|Olympic games]], which had formerly been the prerogative of the [[Pisa, Greece|Pisatans]].<ref name="EB1911"/> [[Olympia, Greece|Olympia]] was in Elean land, and tradition dates the first recorded games to 776 BC.<!--not 1st games--> The [[Hellanodikai]], the judges of the Games, were of Elean origin.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} The attempts which the Pisatans made to recover their lost privilege, during a period of nearly two hundred years, ended at length in the total destruction of their city by the Eleans. From the time of this event in 572 BC until the [[Peloponnesian War]], the peace of Elis remained undisturbed.<ref name="EB1911"/>