bujartafili

It is true that Theopompus knew 14 Epirote tribes and that the names “Epirus” and “Epirots” are of Greek origin. The name "Epirus" means "mainland" in Greek, and was originally applied to the whole coast northward of the Corinthian Gulf, in contradistinction to the neighboring islands, Corcyra (Corfou), Leucas, etc., etc. In consequence, it has not any ethnical meaning, as modern Greeks are wont to think and proclaim. The name of Epirus, as applied to Southern Albania, is misleading, inasmuch as its Greek sound gives the idea that one is dealing with a Greek territory. This is due to the unfortunate fact that the principal sources of the history of this section of Albania are the writings of Greek historians whose mania for Hellenising foreign names is notorious. It is to be note too that all the ancient Greek writers, including Theopompus, the veracious Thucydides, and the more modern Plutarch, are in full accord in stating that Epirus was exclusively inhabited by non-Hellenic barbarous populations.

pellazgu

You better read Johann Georg Hahn's "Albanesische Studien" and Louis Benloew's "La grece avant les grecs" to learn the best about Epirus and Epirotes ethnicity...