Aones

• Boeotian: Aonas in montes, Verg. E. 6, 65.—Hence subst., the inhabitants of Boeotia, Serv. ad Verg. E. 6, 65.

A´ONES (Ἄονες), the name of some of the most ancient inhabitants of Boeotia, who derived their origin from Aon, a son of Poseidon. (Strab. p. 401, seq.; Paus. 9.5.1; Lycophr. 1209; Anton. Lib. 25; Steph. B. s. vv.Ἄονες, Βοιωτία.) They appear to have dwelt chiefly in the rich plains about Thebes,, a portion of which was called the Aonian plain in the time of Strabo (p. 412). Both by the Greek and Roman writers Boeotia is frequently called Aonia, and the adjective Aonius is used as synonymous with Boeotian. (Callim. Del. 75; Serv. ad Virg. Aen. 6.65; Gell. 14.6.) Hence the Muses, who, frequented Mt. Helicon in Boeotia, are called Aonides and Aoniae Sorores. (Ov. Met. 5.333; Juven. 7.58, et alibi; cf. Miller, Orchomenos, p. 124, seq. 2nd ed.)

(Ἄονες). An ancient Boeotian race, said to have been so called from Aon, son of Poseidon. Hence the poets frequently use Aonia as equivalent to Boeotia. As Mount Helicon and the fountain Aganippé were in Aonia, the Muses are called Aonides or Aoniae.