Vlachs

Vlachs (also called Wlachs, Wallachs, Olahs) is a blanket term covering several distinct modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Groups that have historically been called Vlachs include modern-day Romanians, Aromanians, Megleno-Romanians and Istro-Romanians, but since the creation of the Romanian state, the term has mostly been used for those living south of the Danube river.

Related Topics:
Latin peoples - Central - Eastern - Southeastern Europe - Romanians - Aromanians - Megleno-Romanians - Istro-Romanians - Romania - Danube

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Although most linguists agree that their languages share a common origin, the origins of the Vlachs themselves are disputed, as is the notion that all Vlach groups have the same ethnic origins. According to the dominant theory, they are descended from the Roman colonists and/or the Romanised Dacian, Thracian and Illyrian local populations (see Origin of Romanians for more about the dispute about the origin). Some scholars also include the Greeks among their possible ancestors, especially in regards to the Aromanians.

Related Topics:
Colonists - Dacia - Thracian - Illyrian - Origin of Romanians - Greeks - Aromanians

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