Folia onomastica Croatica, No. 33, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.21857/ydkx2cv839
Toponomastic dilemmas related to the proper names of two late antique fortresses with Latin suffixes -(i)anus, -a, -um
Jasminka Kuzmanovska
; Univerzitet „Sv. Kiril i Metodij“ vo Skopje Institut za nacionalna istorija
Abstract
After extensive linguistic research, we can conclude that the fortresses’
proper names Ἀργικιανόν (Argicianum) and Γεντιανόν (Gentianum) from the
Macedonian list in Procopius’ work De aedificiis are certainly derived using the
well-known and productive Latin suffixes -(i)anus, -a, -um.
Also, in both examples, in the radical segment we recognize proper names
that belong to the linguistic substrate. In the case of Ἀργικιανόν (Argicianum),
it is most likely a Celtic praenomen Argicius, while concerning Γεντιανόν
(Gentianum) the epichoric, most likely Brygian (in any case, pre-Greek) name,
derived from a personal name Gent(h)ius/Gent(h)ianus, is very certain.
At the same time, although we strongly support derivation from the personal
name, we still leave as an open possibility that in the basis of the radical part
of the fortress’s proper name lays an appelative – the plant name gentian. We
truly believe that both toponyms, which are still not identified, most probably
represent walled land holdings that served as shelters for the local population in
times of danger from barbarian invasions in the period of Late Antiquity.
Keywords
Antiquity; Procopius; toponymy; etymology; fortress; Ἀργικιανόν (Argicianum); Γεντιανόν (Gentianum)
Hrčak ID:
324900
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2024.
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