a third part of Thessaly, (Strabo;) so called from a very ancient people, the Pelasgi, called Pelasgiote (Ptolemy); who formerly, together with the Æolians, occupied Thessaly, and thence that part was called Pelasgicum Argos; besides many other parts of Greece. Their name Pelasgi, or Pelargi, denoting storks, was given them from their wandering roving life (Strabo). The poets extend the appellation to Greeks in general. Pelagus, the epithet. Some of the inhabitants of Crete were called Pelagi (Homer); who thus also calls the neighbouring people to the Cilicians in Troas. The Pelasgi were originally of Arcadia, (Hesiod;) but Æschylus makes Argos, near Mycenæ, their country. The Pelasgiotis was situated between Pieria and Macedonia to the north and west, Thessaliotis to the south, and Magnesia to the east, (Strabo, Pliny.)

PELATÆ, were free-born citizens, among the Athenians, who by poverty were reduced to the necessity of serving for wages. During their servitude they had no vote in the management of public affairs, as having no estate to qualify them; but this restriction was removed whenever they had released themselves from their servile situation, which they were allowed to do when able to support themselves. While they continued servants, they had also a right to change their masters. We find them sometimes distinguished by the name of Thete.