Upload
athanasios-n-papadopoulos
View
83
Download
5
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Toponyms in Strabos geographyPrologueAbout Strabos geography
Map of the world according to Strabo
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/C%2BB-Geography-Map1-
StrabosMap.PNG]
Strabo (64 or 63 BC- 24 AD) was born in Amasya, Pontus, in North Asia Minor (modern
Turkey).
He started writing his Geography (Geographica) about 20 BCE and went on reediting it till his
death. With the exception of a few missing parts, it has come down to us complete.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strabo]
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographica]
The previous map was handed down to Strabo from previous geographers, such as Eratosthenes
or Hecataeus. We need not comment on the poor knowledge of the world at that time, except
perhaps note the characteristic peculiarity of the Taurus mountain range which is depicted on the
map stretching from Asia Minor to the extremities of the then known world in Asia. This is
interesting because it creates a very distinct line between two worlds, that of the North and that
of the South. In the North there are Parthians and Scythians, Thracians and Phrygians, and the
Celts of Europe, all the white tribes. In the South there are the Indians, the Egyptians and
Mesopotamians, the Ethiopians and the rest of the Libyans (Africans), the dark peoples. I
believe this division, although crude, is interesting because it forms an analogy with the modern
distinction between the Indo-Europeans (IEs) of the North, versus the non IEs of the South.
However Strabos approach may be found to be more clarifying with respect to the formation of
the first IE languages- if we keep on using this term, such as Greek, Latin and perhaps the so
called Luwian languages of Asia Minor (Lycian, Lydian, Carian, and so on)- because of both its
simplicity and its proximity to the spoken languages of the time.
Purpose of this surveyThe purpose of this study is to classify all toponyms (mostly those concerning Greece and the
Eastern Mediterranean) found in the Geography in order to trace back as far as possible their
origin, as well as to discover any changes that took place. The survey will be centered on the
Hellenistic world (which at Strabos time was under Roman rule). Strabos geography includes
the knowledge of many previous Greek writers, such as Eratosthenes, therefore it offers an
excellent opportunity to study through toponyms the influences of other (the so called pre-Indo-
European) languages on the Greek language (considered Indo-European). This is important not
just in the narrow context of the Greek language but also with respect to the broader field
concerning the interactions between IE and non IE languages such as Phoenician, ancient
Egyptian, Luwian (which may be considered of mixed origin), or Minoan (which remains
undeciphered.)
The scenery (The ancient East Mediterranean up to Strabos time)
Migrations in Anatolia around 1900 BCE based on outdated research. According to Drews and
Mellart, the Hittite migration displaced other peoples living in Anatolia, who in turn displaced
the Middle Helladic Greek-speaking peoples to the west. This is contradicted by newer research.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Bronze_Age_migrations_(Ancient_Near_East)]
One of the researches which Wikipedia refers to is that of Russell D. Gray and Quentin D.
Atkinson (2003). Analyzing linguistic data with computational methods derived from
evolutionary biology these researchers came down with an initial Indo-European divergence of
between 7,800 and 9,800 years BP (about 7000 BCE).
[https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/10655/nature02029.pdf
%3Fsequence%3D3]
This time would coincide with the first Neolithic settlements in Greece, implying that the IE
languages came in Europe with the Neolithic Revolution. Currently it is believed that the first
Indo-Europeans arrived in Greece during or just before the appearance of the Mycenaean
civilization, in the first half of the second millennium BCE. Previously it was thought that the
first Greeks had arrived during the so called Dorian invasion at the end of the Bronze Age, about
1200 BCE. But the decipherment of the Mycenaean Linear B showed that its language was
Greek. It seems that newer researches tend to push the date for the arrival, if there was an arrival
at all, of the Greeks further back in earlier times.
As far as the Hittites are concerned their appearance is important because they are considered the
first IEs who left behind written records. Their capital was named Hatussa, in central Anatolia, a
name borrowed from the Hattians, the previous inhabitants of the area, probably of Caucasian
origin. It is known that the Hittite language was heavily influenced from the local Anatolian
languages. We might suppose that the Luwian IE branch formed during this period but it is more
likely that Luwian already existed in Anatolia before the Hittites came. For example, the name of
the first Hittite ruler, Hattusili I, has a suffix li which is common even today in Caucasian
names and which was probably common in Anatolia at that time, as it is in modern Anatolia
(Turkey) in the form ali. Another example is the name the Hittites used for Miletus (Greek
Miltos, Turkish: Milet), Millawanda. Miletus was in ancient Lycia and the name the Lycians
used for themselves (at least at the time of ancient Greece) was something like Trimili or Termili.
Therefore the words Miltos and Milawanda could be paraphrases of the name the Lycians used
for this city in the native language. So it seems that the IEs formed a super stratum on local
Luwian languages instead of composing them.
Erroneously enough the suffix anda is considered IE for the Hittites but not for the Greeks in
cases such as Corinth (Greek: Corinthos), And(r)os (a Greek island), or even Hellas or Ella(n)da.
The Greek vocabulary is full of these words (many of which are not just place names) whose
suffix is more or less of the same morphology as the Hittite anda or even the modern and
which is found in Germanic languages (the word Switzerland for example). We will talk more
about this later on.
The world of the Pelasgians
Ancient regions of Anatolia (500 BC)
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatolia]
The term Pelasgian should be considered a generic term, although it may denote the people that
used to live in the Pelasgic Argos, modern Thessaly. As Strabo says, And that portion of
Thessaly between the outlets of the Peneius and the Thermopyl, as far as the mountains of
Pindus, is named Pelasgic Argos, the district having formerly belonged to the Pelasgi.
Strabo also says, Almost everyone is agreed that the Pelasgi were an ancient race spread
throughout the whole of Greece, but especially in the country of the Aeolians near to Thessaly.
Therefore it seems that before the Greeks there were the Pelasgi, although it seems that the
Greeks could have evolved from a specific Pelasgian branch somewhere in Thessaly. According
to the mainstream IE theory, the Greeks are supposed to have arrived in Greece from the North,
either from the Balkans or from North Asia Minor (or from both places), coming from their
ultimate homeland in the Pontic steppes (in modern day Ukraine). However the story told by the
ancient Greek writers themselves is quite different. With respect to Cadmus (the founder of
Thebes in Greece) Strabo says,
Botia was first occupied by Barbarians, Aones, and Temmices, a wandering people from
Sunium, by Leleges, and Hyantes. Then the Phnicians, who accompanied Cadmus, possessed
it. He fortified the Cadmeian land, and transmitted the government to his descendants. The
Phnicians founded Thebes, and added it to the Cadmeian territory. They preserved their
dominion, and exercised it over the greatest part of the Botians till the time of the expedition of
the Epigoni (in Mycenean times). At this period they abandoned Thebes for a short time, but
returned again. In the same manner when they were ejected by Thracians and Pelasgi, (during the
Greek Dark Ages?) they established their rule in Thessaly together with the Arni for a long
period, so that all the inhabitants obtained the name of Botians. They returned afterwards to
their own country, at the time the olian expedition was preparing at Aulis in Botia which the
descendants of Orestes were equipping for Asia.
As far as Danaus is concerned, Strabo says, Danaus is said to have built the citadel of the
Argives. He seems to have possessed so much more power than the former rulers of the country,
that, according to Euripides, he made a law that those who were formerly called Pelasgiot,
should be called Danai throughout Greece. His tomb, called Palinthus, is in the middle of the
marketplace of the Argives. I suppose that the celebrity of this city was the reason of all the
Greeks having the name of Pelasgiot, and Danai, as well as Argives.
From this narration we see how much complicated the story about the Pelasgi is. If Cadmos and
Danaus were Phoenicians, who incidentally could have been first cousins, sons of the brothers
Agenor and Belos respectively, it is obvious that we should reconsider the foundation of the
Mycenean civilization. Was it founded from IEs who came from the North or from Asia Minor or
by Semites from the Levant? It is also interesting to note that when Danaus came to Argos, the
city at the time was ruled by King Pelasgus, also called Gelanor. The Danaides asked Pelasgus
for protection when they arrived, the event portrayed in The Suppliants by Aeschylus. Protection
was granted after a vote by the Argives.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danaus]
Was the Mycenaean civilization founded by incoming Semites who joined with indigenous
Pelasgians? Or could the names of Agapenor and Gelanor be of IE origin, and that both Cadmos
and Danaus were IEs having conquered places in Egypt and Phoenicia, and then in Greece? We
should also note that the names of their wives seem to be of local (Pelasgian/Greek) origin,
Armonia and Pieria respectively. Do the origin of names imply the origin of power shift in this
strange brew of many different peoples? Certainly yes, but we should also take into account that
all these names survived through Greek mythology, not Egyptian or Phoenician. Therefore the
names are already Hellenized (the name Belos for example could be Baal in Phoenician, and so
on). But again the morphology of the names and their corresponding history give clues to their
origin and their whereabouts.
Pelops for example is said to have come from Phrygia, according to Strabo. He also says, It is
said that the Achan Phthiot, who, with Pelops, made an irruption into Peloponnesus, settled in
Laconia, and were so much distinguished for their valor, that Peloponnesus, which for a long
period up to this time had the name of Argos, was then called Achan Argos; and not
Peloponnesus alone had this name, but Laconia also was thus peculiarly designated. Therefore
Pelops on the contrary to Cadmus and Danaus was (or just came) from the North.
Cecrops who built the Cecropian walls in Athens could be of the same stock as Pelops.
According to Strabo, It will suffice then to add, that, according to Philochorus, when the
country was devastated on the side of the sea by the Carians, and by land by the Botians, whom
they called Aones, Cecrops first settled a large body of people in twelve cities, the names of
which were Cecropia, Tetrapolis, Epacria, Deceleia, Eleusis, Aphidn, Thoricus, Brauron,
Cytherus, Sphettus, Cephisia [Phalerus]. Again, at a subsequent period, Theseus is said to have
collected the inhabitants of the twelve cities into one, the present city.
It is interesting to add that Tantalus, the father of Cecrops is referred to as Phrygian, and
sometimes even as King of Phrygia, although his city was located in the western extremity of
Anatolia where Lydia was to emerge as a state before the beginning of the first millennium BCE,
and not in the traditional heartland of Phrygia, situated more inland. References to his son as
Pelops the Lydian led some scholars to the conclusion that there would be good grounds for
believing that he belonged to a primordial house of Lydia.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantalus ]
The language testified in Linear B tablets suggests that the people who prevailed and ruled over
the Mycenaean city states were Frygians and Thracians, people belonging to the IE stock,
descendants of Pelops and Cecrops. However the great amount of non IE words in the Greek
vocabulary suggests that these newcomers absorbed and were influenced by local pre-existing
cultures at a great extent. For example most terms concerning agriculture are of pre Hellenic
origin. Therefore as I have already said, and since the Frygian or Thracian language is closely
related but not the same with the Greek language, it is better to consider the IE element that came
to Greece during the Mycenaean period as a super stratum to the Greek language instead of
replacing the local language. This is further supported by the fact that more and more linguists
consider that at least some of the Pelasgic languages belong to the IE branch (not to mention that
Phrygians and Thracians, together with Phoenicians and Carians, at this early stage were indeed
the Pelasgi).
Stabos toponyms by placeIberiaStrabo begins his Geography from the West to the East, firstly with Iberia. He uses the Pyrenees
as a dividing line between Iberia and Keltica (Gaul). He mentions the Sacred Promontory and the
Pillars of Hercules (Straits of Gibraltar) and he says that (according to Artemidorus) there is no
temple of Hercules shown there, as Ephorus falsely states, nor yet any altar [to him] nor to any
other divinity; but in many parts there are three or four stones placed together, which are turned
by all travelers who arrive there, in accordance with a certain local custom, and are changed in
position by such as turn them incorrectly.
Place names
Pyrene The Pyrenees Tagos River
Anas River (Guadiana)
Baetis River (Guadalquivir) Calpe Mountain/city (Calp) Carteia City Mellaria City (perhaps Tarifa) Belon City and river/) Gadeira/Erytheia) City (Cdiz)
Asta City Nabrissa/Nebrissa City (Lebrija)
Ebura City (vora ) Corduba City (Crdoba )
Hispalis City (Seville) Italica City Ilipa City Astygis City (cija)
Carmon City (Carmona) Obulcon City (Porcuna)
Munda City Ategua City
Urson City Tukkis City Julia City Aegua City Sisapon City Cotinae Mountain
Onoba City (Huelva) Ossonoba City (Faro)
Maenoba City/ Gymnesiae/Balearidae) Islands (Majorca and
Minorca)() (Nea) Karchedon City
Odysseia City Tartessos City (according to Strabo
identified with Carteia) Moron City
Olysipon City Dourios River
Akouteia City Castulon City (Castelln) Moundas River Mondego
Vakouas River Vouga// Lethe/Limaeas/Velion River / Baenis/Minios River Nerion Promontory
Iberas River (Ebro)
Malaca City (Mlaga) Maenaca City
Abdera City Ocella City
Sucron City/river (Jcar) Planesia Island Plumbaria Island Scombraria Island Saguntos City Cherronessus City
Oleastron City Cartalia City Dertossa City Taraccon City
Hemeroscopion City Ebusus Island (Ibiza) Emporion City Rhode City
Setabis City Egelastae City
Idubeda Mountain Orospeda Mountain
/ Caesaraugusta/Celsa City Ilerda City Osca City
Calaguris City Pompelon City Augusta Emerita City Melsus River Nouga City Pityusae Islands (Ibiza and
Fromentera) Ophiussa Island (Fromentera)
Palma City Polentia City Didyme City Cassiterides Islands (according to Strabo
other than Great Britain)
There is an apparent connection between the Iberian Peninsula and Phoenicians as shown by
place names such as Gadeira (Phoenician: Cadir), Crdoba (Carthaginian: Kartuba), Mlaga,
Onoba, etc. But there are also elements which suggest not only Phoenician, or Greek contacts,
but also contacts of a pre Phoenician and pre Greek origin; that is earlier than the supposed
voyage of Hercules to these places. An intriguing example is the city (also island) of Ebusus. It is
modern Ibiza (one of the ancient Pityusic islands). In Catalan: Eivissa, in Phoenician: Yibosim.
Strabo calls the place Ebusos. Someone could consider the name Phoenician but in fact the
Phoenicians arrived there just in 654 BC.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibiza]
The clue is found in the suffix issa of the word in the native Catalan language (Eivissa). It is
also attested that the islands were used by Cilician pirates as a base during the Roman times,
before the Romans drove them away.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pityusic_Islands]
Those suffixes are common in Greece and Asia Minor and they are related with the Luwian
language of ancient Anatolia (where Cilicia was found). Therefore neither the Greeks nor the
Phoenicians were the first who arrived as far as the straits of Gibraltar in prehistoric times. But
apparently both the Greeks and the Phoenicians, and after them the Romans and the Spanish,
borrowed the names. These names therefore have to do with the earlier sub stratum of place
names around the Mediterranean, a local isogloss which was borrowed both by Indo-Europeans
(such as the Romans and the Greeks) and by Semites (such as the Phoenicians and the Arabs).
To go a step further I would like to make an interesting connection with the Greek city of
Ephesus (modern Efes, Turkey) in Asia Minor. The Hittites, who inhabited the area during the 2nd
millennium BCE called the city Abasa, which they referred to as capital of Arzawa. The
connection between the Arzawans of the Hittites and the Argives of Homer is very tantalizing.
Were these the Argives, or Arzawans, the people who settled in Argos, Greece, with Danaus or
whoever was their leader? Whatever the answer the point is that the area surrounding Ephesus
was already inhabited during the Neolithic Age (about 6000 BC).
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus]
And this is a period much earlier than any division between Semites and Indo-Europeans,
Phoenicians and Greeks. This is why some people, like Collin Renfrew, have placed the birth
place of IE languages in Ancient Anatolia during the Neolithic, not in the Caspian steppes during
the Eneolithic or Bronze Age. Wherever the motherland of IEs, it seems that ancient Anatolia
played a pivotal role in the blending of languages and people who would later form the
civilizations of Phoenicia, Greece, and Rome. I would later expose some arguments why I
believe that ancient Anatolia was a place where IE and Semitic languages converged, but it was
not the motherland of either language groups.
Keltiberia(Above the Ebro river)
Place Names
Varia City Numantia City Segeda City Palantia City Segobriga City Bilbilis City Segesama City Intercatia City
KelticaStrabo describes Keltica as the land beyond the Alps which consisted of three nations, Aquitani,
Belge, and Kelte. Of these the Aquitani differ completely from the other nations, not only in their
language but in their figure, which resembles more that of the Iberians than the Galatae. The
others are Galatae in countenance, although they do not all speak the same language, but some
make a slight difference in their speech
Place names
Massalia City (Marseille) Cemmenon Mountain (Cvennes)
Rodanos River (Rhone) Varos River (Var)
Narbon City (Narbonne) Nemausos City (Nmes) Ugernos City
Taruscon City Antipolis City
Druentia City Caballion City
Ebrodunon City Brigantion City Scingomagos City
Ocelon City Rhoa City
Agathe City Tauroention City
Olbia City Nicaea City
Aventinon Mountain Setion Mountain Blascon Island
Arelate City Aphrodision Promontory Ruscinon River/city Ilibirris River/city (Elne) Atax River (Aude) Orbis River (Orbre) Rauraris River (Hrault)
Baetera City Tauroention City Foron Ioulion Port Stoechades Islands Planasia Island Leron Island
Oxibius Port Durance River
Isar River Sulgas River Undalon City Avenion City
Arausion City Aeria City Vienna City (Vienna)
Lugdunon City (Lyon) Arar River (Sane)
Lemenne Lake (Lake Geneva) Doubis River (Doubs)
Agyra City Toulouse City Loire River
Garrone River Burdigala City Corbilon City Mediolanion City Nemausos City Galaticos Gulf (Galatic gulf) Nemossos City Kenabon City Gergouvia City
Alesia City Renos River (Rhine)
Secoanas River (Seine) Cabyllinon City Bibracta City
Adula Mountain Aduas River
Larios Lake Comon City (Como) Pados River (Po) Iurasios Mountain (Jura) Arduenna Forest
Lucotocia City Duricortora City
Ition City Durias River
The Alps(Around the mountain range)
Place names
/ / /
Alpeis/Alpeia/Albia/Alpeina Mountain (Alps)
Sabaton Uada City Albigaunon City Ocra Mountain (part of the Alps) Albion Mountain (part of the Alps) Adulas Mountain
Comon City (Como) Poeninos Mountain (Pennine Alps) Mutina City (Modena)
Eporedia City (Ivrea) Ueron City (Verona)
Campodunum City Damasia City
Atesinos River Istros River (Danube, lower part) ercynios Forest
Tullon City Phligadia City Duras River Clanis River Metulon City
Arupinoi City Monetion City
Vendon City Segestike City Sabos River (Save)
Aquleia City Korkoras River Kolapis River Benacos Lake Migios River
Verbanos Lake Ticinos River Larios Lake
Aduas River
BritainAbout Britain there was little known at the time of Strabo. Most of the knowledge came from
legends and from the Roman expeditions. Kent is the only city that Strabo refers to, while Ierna
and Thule are referred to as mythical places.
Place names
Kantion City (Kent) Ierne Island (probably Ireland, also
attested as Hibernia) Thule Island (mythical place,
probably related to Denmark
or Scandinavia)
Italy
Concerning Italy Strabo says, At the foot of the Alps commences the region now known as
Italy. The ancients by Italy merely understood notria, which reached from the Strait of Sicily to
the Gulf of Taranto, and the region about Posidonium, but the name has extended even to the foot
of the Alps It seems probable that the first inhabitants were named Italians, and, being
successful, they communicated their name to the neighbouring tribes, and this propagation [of
name] continued until the Romans obtained dominion. Afterwards, when the Romans conferred
on the Italians the privileges of equal citizenship, and thought fit to extend the same honour to
the Cisalpine Galat and Heneti, they comprised the whole under the general denomination of
Italians and Romans.
Place names
Oenotria Ancient name of Italy Nauportos City Monoecos Port Genua City (Genoa)
Apennina Mountain (Apennines) Adriatike Sea (Adriatic)
/ Tyrrhenike/Tyrrhenia Sea (Tyrrhenian) Pola City Sicelia Island (Sicily) Ariminon City
Rauenne City (Ravenna) Agonas City (Ancona)
Pisa City Tarantinos Gulf (Taranto) Posidonia Promontory (Paestum) Leucopetra City
/ Regine/Region City (Reggio) Brescia City Mantua City Patavion City (Padua) Medoacos Harbor/river
Altinon City Butrium City Spina City Opitergion City[] Concordia City
Atria City Vicetia City
Natisonas River Noreia City Timavon Harbor/River
Argos-Ippion City Tergeste City Tiberis River (Tiber) Placentia City Cremone City Parma City Bononia City
Acara City Rhegion-Lepidon City
Macroe-Campoe City Claterna City Forum-Cornelium City Faventia City Caesena City Sapios River (Savio) Rubicon River Cottios Mountain Clastidion City Derthon City
Aquae-Statiellae City Lune City Trebias River Aesis River (Esino) Scultannas River (Panaro)
Vercelloe Village (Vercelli) Sardinia Island Sinoessa City
Ostia Port Saunitica Mountains Tarquinia City
Rome City Clusion City (Clusium)
Agylla City (afterwards Caerea,
modern Cerveteri) Volaterae City (Volterra)
Poplonion City Cossa City Selene City Macras River
Arnos River (Arno) Ausar River (Esaro)
Arretion Mountain Cyrnos Island (Corsica) Aethalia Island (Elba)
Argoiis Port Blesino City Charax City
Eniconiae City Vapanes City
Caralis City Sulchoe City Cossae City Gravisci City Pyrgoe City
Alsion City Fregena City
Regis-Villa City Perusia City
Volsinioe City Sutrion City Blera City Ferentinon City Falerion City Faliscon City Nepita City Statonia City Soracte Montain Feronia City Ciminia Lake Sabata Lake Trasumenna Lake Sarsina City Sena City Marinon City Cingulon Mountain Sentinon City Metauros River
Ocricli City Carsuloe City Mevania City Teneas River Larolonoe City, ' Narnia City Nar River (Nera)
Forum Flaminium City Nuceria City Forum Sempronium City Interamna City
Spoletion City Aesion City Camerte City
America City Tuder City Hispellon City Iguvion City
Nomentos City Amiternon City Reate City
Cotyliae Spring Interocrea Village
Foruloe Rocks Curis Village Trebula Village
Ereton Village Ardea City
Laurenton City Lavinia City
Alba City Albanos Mountain
Collatia Village Antemnae Village
Fidenae Village Labicon Village Festoe City
Apiola City Suessa City Lanuvion City
Aricia City Tellenae City
Antion City Circaeon Mount (Circeo) Storas River (Stura) / Ufis/Aufidos River (Ofanto) Brundusion City Formiae City Minturna City Leiris River (Liri, formely Clanis) Caeatas Gulf Fregella Village
Pandataria Island Pontia Island Caecubon City Fundoe City Caelion Hill (Caelian)
Aventinon Hill (Aventine) Quirinon Hill (Quirinal)
Esqulinon Hill (Esquiline) Viminalis Hill (Vinimal)
Clanis River (Chiana) Casilinon City Capya City Tusclanon Mountain Tusclon City
Algidon City Lavicane City Ferentinon City Frusinon City Cosas River (Cosa) Fabrateria City Treros River (Sacco)
Aquinon City Melpis River (Melfa) Casinon City Teanon City Calenon City (Cales) Setia City Signia City Privernon City Cora City Trapontion City
Velitrae City Aletrion City
Gabioe City Praenestos City (Palestrina) Capitulon City
Anagnia City Cereate City Sora City
Venafron City Vulturnos River
Aesernia City Alliphae City
Tiburon City Valeria City
Carseoli City Cuculon City
Anion River (Teverone) Albula Spring
Labana Spring Verestis River Algidon Mountain Artemision City Egeria Spring
Fucina Lake Amenanus River
Castron River Auxumon City Septempeda City Pneventia City Potentia City Firmon Picenon City Castellon City Tronto City/river Castrunooun City (Castrum novum) Matrinos Riverc(Piomba)
Adria City Asclon City (Ascoli Piceno)
Corfinion City (later Italica) Sulmon City Maruvion City Teatea City
Aternon City Orton City
Buca City Sagros River (Sangro) Misenon Promontory
Athenaon Promontory Liternon City Cyme City
Acherusia Lake Baeae City Locrinos Gulf
Aornos Lake (Avernus) Dicaearcheia City (later Puteoli, modern
Pozzuoli) Neapolis City (Naples) Pompeia Port Sarnos River
Vesuvion Mountain (Vesuvius) Aetna Mountain Caprea Island Seirenae Islands (Sirenusas) Prochyta Island Pithecussae Island (ancient Ischia) Liparae Islands (Lipari, formerly
Meligunis) Epomeas Mountain
Calatia City Caudion City Beneventon City Cales City Suessula City
Atella City Nola City
Acerroe City Abella City
Boianon Village Aesernia Village Panna Village Telesia Village
Venusia Village Marcina City Silaris River Picentia City Salernon City Leucosia Island
/ Hyela/Ela City (Ancient Elea, present
Velia) Palinuros Promontory Oenotrides Islands Pyxus Promontory, harbour, river Laos City/gulf/river Petilia City Crimissa Promontory Chone City
Eryx City Aegesta City Grumentos Village
Vertin Village Calasarna Village Metapontion City Hipponiates Gulf (Vibo Valentia)
Scylletikos Gulf (Squillace) Thurioe (later Copiae) Cerilloe City Temese City (Tempsa) Terina City Cosentia City Pandosia City Acheron River Medma City Scylletion City Caenys Promontory Pelorias Cape Morgantion City (Morgantina)
Epopis Hill Halex River
Mamertion City Silas Forest Caulonia Caulonia Lacinion Promontory Kroton City Neaethos River Sybaris City/river Syracussae City (Syracuse) Crathis River Lagaria Fort
Heracleia City Akiris River (Agri)
Siris River/city (Sinni) Luceria City Sicily Island (Sicily, formerly
Trinacria> Thrinacia) Pachynos Headland Lilybaeon Headland Mylae City Tyndaris City
Agathyrnon City Alaesa City
Cephaloedion City Himera City/river
Panormos City Camarina City Tauromenion City Naxos City Megara City (formerly Hybla)
Symaethos River (Giaretta) Xiphonia Promontory Charybdis Sea passage
Inessa Hill Catane City
Ortygia Island Arethusa Fountain
Centoripa City Acragas City Enna City
Gela City Callipolis City Selinus City Nebrode Mountain Matauron City Thermessa Island (afterwards Hiera) Strongyle Island Didyme Island
Ericussa Island Phoenicussa Island Euonyms Island Cossura Island Aegimurs Island
Acalandrs River Ceraunian Mountains Baris City (afterwards Veretum) Leuca City Phlegra City
Hydrus City Sason Island
Rodiae City Lupiae City
Aletia City Uria City (formerly Hyria)
Egnatia City Celia City Netion City Canusion City
Herdonia City Calatias City Barion City Silvion City Salapia Port
Argyrippa City (Arpi) Diomedeiae Islands (Diomede)
Sipus City (formerly Sepius) Drion Hill Garganon Promontory Urion City Aesis City (Fiumicino) Cannae City
A very interesting example of suffix analysis from the previous vocabulary includes the case of
the Tyrrhenians.
According to Wikipedia, the origin of the name is uncertain. It is only known to be used by
Greek authors, but apparently not of Greek origin. It has been connected to tursis, also a
Mediterranean loan into Greek, meaning tower. Direct connections with Tusci, the Latin
exonym for the Etruscans, from Tursci have also been attempted.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrrhenians]
Probably the name of the Tyrrhenians was a generic term, meaning something like pirates. In
the modern Greek language there is the word tarsanas, which means ship yard. The close
relationship of this word with the word tyrsinos (Tyrrhenian) shows the connection of the
Tyrrhenians with the sea. Perhaps the name corsair which is the same as pirate comes from an
original Anatolian word, something like curswara or so. But in any case the term Tyrrhenian
most likely refers to a diverse group of peoples rather than to a specific ethnicity.
A Tyrrhenian/Etruscan/Lydian association has long been a subject of conjecture. The Greek
historian Herodotus stated that the Etruscans came from Lydia, repeated in Virgils epic poem the
Aeneid, and Etruscan-like language was found on the Lemnos stele from the Aegean Sea island
of Lemnos. However, recent decipherment of Lydian and its classification as an Anatolian
language mean that Etruscan and Lydian were not even part of the same language family.
Nevertheless, a recent genetic study of likely Etruscan descendants in Tuscany found strong
similarities with individuals in western Anatolia.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia]
This again suggests that the Etruscans/Tyrrrhenians found themselves in Lydia, Anatolia, but this
was not their original homeland. Herodotus had also placed them in Crestonia, Thrace. Similarly,
Thucydides mentions them together with the Pelasgians and associates them with Lemnian
pirates and with the pre-Greek population of Attica. Lemnos remained relatively free of Greek
influence up to Hellenistic times, and interestingly, the Lemnos stele of the 6th century BC is
inscribed with a language very similar to Etruscan. This has led to the postulation of a
Tyrrhenian language group comprising Etruscan, Lemnian and Raetic.
The Raetic language was spoken in the Alps. As far as Lydia is concerned the name Sfard or
Sard, another name closely connected to the name Tyrrhenian, was the capital city of the land of
Lydia. The name preserved by Greek and Egyptian renderings is Sard, for the Greeks call it
Sardis and the name appears in the Egyptian inscriptions as Srdn (one of the Sea Peoples).
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardis]
Very interestingly the Sardinians call their language lingua s(f)arda. As Strabo notes, For it is
said that Iolaus brought hither certain of the children of Hercules, and established himself
amongst the barbarian possessors of the island (Sardinia), who were Tyrrhenians. Afterwards the
Phnicians of Carthage became masters of the island, and, assisted by the inhabitants, carried on
war against the Romans; but after the subversion of the Carthaginians, the Romans became
masters of the whole.
Again however the term Sfarda is native to the Lydians not to the Etruscans whose place names
as we shall see are of a completely different morphology. Therefore the Etruscans or the
Tyrrhenians were of a different origin even if at the time when some of them passed from Lydia
to Sardinia they considered themselves more Lydian.
The toponyms to be examined are those ending in (n)na. As the previous map suggests most of
the toponyms of ancient Etruria bear such endings. Strabo refers to some of these: Ravenna,
Marcina, Mutina, Poplonium (Popluna); also Ariminum (Arimina), the Pitheci (or monkeys) are
called by the Tyrrhenians Arimi, Clusium (Clevsin/Clevsina), etc.
I have long been wondering about toponyms with the suffix na. The point is that such toponyms
are abundant not only in Italy but also in Greece, for example Mycena (Mycenae), Athina
(Athens), Rafina, and they are found not only in coastal areas but also deep in the mainland. How
are we to interpret the wide distribution of these place names? Should they be related with the
coming of IEs or with a pre-existing substratum spread all across the Mediterranean (which the
IEs adopted)?
Ive found an interesting connection between the name of the capital of Lemnos, Myrina, and a
queen of the Amazons who had the same name. According to Diodorus Siculus, she led a
military expedition in Libya and won a victory over the people known as the Atlantians,
destroying their city Cerne; but was less successful fighting the Gorgons (who are described by
Diodorus as a warlike nation residing in close proximity to the Atlantians), failing to burn down
their forests. During a later campaign, she struck a treaty of peace with Horus, ruler of Egypt,
conquered several peoples, including the Syrians, the Arabians, and the Cilicians (but granted
freedom to those of the latter who gave in to her of their own will). She also took possession of
Greater Phrygia, from the Taurus Mountains to the Caicus River, and several Aegean islands,
including Lesbos (Mytilene); she was also said to be the first to land on the previously
uninhabited island which she named Samothrace, building the temple there. The cities of Myrina
(in Lemnos), possibly another Myrina in Mysia, Mytilene, Cyme, Pitane, and Priene were
believed to have been founded by her, and named after herself, her sister Mytilene, and the
commanders in her army, Cyme, Pitane and Priene, respectively. Myrinas army was eventually
defeated by Mopsus the Thracian and Sipylus the Scythian; she, as well as many of her fellow
Amazons, fell in the final battle.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrina_(mythology)]
This story suggests that such place names were native to IEs or more generally to people living
in the North, around the Black Sea, the north coast of Asia Minor and parts of the Balkans. The
Thracians and Scythians who defeated the Amazons were certainly of IE stock. If the suffix is
considered IE then the expansion of IEs may have taken place much earlier than expected. If we
accept the testimony of Thucydides that the Tyrrhenians occupied Athens before the
(Mycenaean) Greeks then linguistic elements related to the Greek language were already present,
at least since the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE. It suffices to say that place names such as
Mycena (Mycenae) or Athina (Athens) which still survive in the modern Greek language contain
the same suffix in na. Therefore both the Mycenaeans and the Tyrrhenians must have been
separated from an earlier common language group.
Furthermore the wide distribution of place names with such a suffix both in Italy and Greece, as
well as in other places across Europe (e.g. Vienna) and North Africa (e.g. Medina), even in
Minoan Crete (e.g. Gortyna) suggests an early expansion of the corresponding languages in the
Bronze Age or even in the Neolithic. But is it better to consider a tremendous expansion of IE
languages in a shorter period of time, or to propose an isogloss which evolved across the
Mediterranean during a longer period, even since the Neolithic, and which successive waves of
newcomers, such as the IEs, adopted?
There are two main assumptions about the origin of the Tyrrhenians/Etruscans. They are
supposed to be either Anatolians/Lydians or natives to the Villanovan Culture in Italy (1100- 900
BCE), which is considered having abruptly followed the Terramare Culture (17001150 BC).
The story is parallel to that of Greece where the Mycenaean Civilization abruptly ended and was
followed by the Archaic Greek Period at about the same time. It was the decipherment of Linear
B what made clear that the Mycenaeans were Greek (on the contrary to what was previously
thought). Could the Tyrrhenians be natives to Italy and descants of the Terramare Culture, even if
their original homeland was further to the North- North East in previous times? The ancient
Greek writers say that the Tyrrhenians were in Greece (at least in some parts) even before the
Greeks. Therefore they could be related with a Pelasgian tribe living somewhere between the
Black Sea and North Italy, having their own expeditions across the Mediterranean. However the
apparent differences between their language and the Italic dialects seems to suggest that they
were not native to Italy, at least no more than the Mycenaeans were native to Greece. If the
toponyms in na are related to queen Myrina of the Amazons, then their ultimate origin could be
traced as far as the Ukrainian steppes (as Herodotus places the Amazons there). If however their
origin is related to Tyros of Phoenicia or Tarsos of Cilicia then the Tyrsenians could be seafarers
from the South, similar to the Phoenicians, raiding the coasts of the Eastern Aegean and making
their way to Italy. In the latter case the Etruscans would be an offshoot of a larger group of
peoples living in the Mediterranean since prehistoric times. I will return to this matter later on.
Rest of Europe (except Greece) Strabo says, That which remains is, on the east, all the country beyond the Rhine, as far as the
Don and the mouth of the Sea of Azof; and, on the south, that which the Danube bounds, lying
between the Adriatic and the left shores of the Euxine, as far as Greece and the Sea of Marmora,
for the Danube, which is the largest of the rivers of Europe, divides the whole territory of which
we have spoken, into two portions.
Place names
(North of the Danube)
Tanais River (Don) Maeotis Sea (of Azof) / Pontice/Pontos Sea (Euxine) Propontis Sea (of Marmara) Tyras River (Dniester) Borysthenes River (Dnieper)
Albis River (Elbe) Amasias River (Ems) Ercynios Forest
Buviaemon City Bisurgis River (Weser) Lupias River (Leppe) Salas River (Sala) Byrhanis Island (Byrchanis) Gabreta Forest Bosporos Strait (Bosporus) Caspia Sea (Caspian)
Ripaea Mountain (Riphean) Hellespontos Strait
(Hellespond/Dardanelles) Hypanios River (Bog)
Phasis River (Rioni) Thermodon River (Terme)
Halys River (Kisil-Irmak) Haemos Mountain (Haemus) Peuce Island Marisos River (Mure ) Danuvios River (Danube, upper part)
Hermonaktos City Nikonia City
Ophiussa City Leuce Island
Olbia City Tamyracos Gulf Carcinites Gulf Phanagoreia City Panticapaeon City/Hill
Sapra Lake Herronesos City Parthenion City Ktenus Port Symbolon limen Port Theodosia City Taurice Peninsula (Crimea)
Amastris City Criou-metopon Promontory Carambis Promontory Trapezus Mountain/City Tibarania City Colhis City Cimmerion Mountain Nymphaeon City Myrmecion City
Achilleion City Palakion Fortress Chabon Fortress Neapolis Fortress Eupatorion Fortress
Place names
(South of the Danube)
Rodope Mountain Parisos River Lugeon Marsh Corcoras River Drabos River Noaros River Colapis River Siskia Strong-hold Sirmion Strong-hold Scardon City/river
Apsyrtides Islands Cyrictice Island Libyrnides Islands
Issa Island Tragourion Island Pharos Island Salon City Promon City Ninias City
Sinotion City Andeterion Fortress
Delmion City Adrion Mountain
Naron River Corcyra Island
Rizonikos Gulf Rizon City
Drilon River Lissos City
Epidamnos City () Akrolissos (Dyrrachion) City Apsos River Aoos River Apollonia City
Lakmos River Inachos River
Nympaeon Hot springs Bylliace City
Orikon City Ionios Sea (Ionian)
/ Margos/Bargos River Heorta City
Capedounon City Byzantion City
Istros City Tomis City Kallatis City Bizone City Krounoe City
Odessos City Naulochos City Mesembria City (before Menebria) Tirizis Promontory Haenos City (previously Poltymbria)
Aghiale City Thynias City Phinopolis City
Andriace City Salmydessos City Kyaneae Islands Pharnakeia City Sinope City Chalcedon City Kalybe City
Candabia Mountain
(Macedonia)
Concerning the ancient Macedonia Strabo says, indeed, Macedonia is a part of Greece.
Following, however, the natural character of the country and its form, we have determined to
separate it from Greece, and to unite it with Thrace, which borders upon it.
Place names
/ Macedonia/Hemathia Territory (previously
Hemathia) Egnatia Road
/ Kypseloe/Kypsella City Ebros River (Maritsa/Evros)
Lychnidos City Pylon City Barnous City
Heracleia City Edessa City
Pella City/ Thessalonikeia/Therme City Strymon River Thermaeos Gulf Nestos River Panormos Port
Onchesmos Port Cassiope Port Dodone City Ausonion Sea Phalcron Promontory Poseidion City/Promontory Bouthroton City Pelodes Port Sybota Islands Leucimma Promontory Chimerion Promontory Glykys Port
Acheron River Acherusia Lake
Thyamis River< Cichyros< Ephyra City Phoenice City
Bouchetion City Elatria City
Pandosia City Batiae City Comaros Harbor Nicopolis Harbor
Arathos River Tymphe Mountain Paroraea City
Argos Amphilochicon City Argos Orestikon City
Damastion City Deuriopos City Tripolis Pelagonia City
Hepeiros Territory Eordoe City Elimeia City Eratyra City
Lyngon City < Acheloos River
/ Evenos/Lycormas River (previously Lycormas) / Erigon/Riginia River Axios River Azoros City
Bryanion City Alalkomenae City
Stybara City Aeginion City Europos City/river (Eurotas) Kydrae City Aethicia City Tricce City Poeon Mountain Pindos Mountain (Pindus)
Oxyneia City Ion River
/ Tomaros/Tmaros Mountain Polyanon Mountain Gortynion City Stobon City
Aliacmon River Thermaeos Gulf
Orestis Territory Oete Mountain Boeon Mountain
Bertiscos Mountain Scardos Mountain
Orbelos Mountain Rodope Mountain
Aemos Mountain Hemathia Mountain Olympos Mountain (Olympus) Olynthos City
Magnesia Territory Titarion Mountain Magnetis City Gyrton City Crannon City Pieria Gulf/Territory Pelion Mountain Dion City Pimpleia City Leibethra City/ Citron /Pydna City (previously Pydna)
Aloros City Ludias RiverT Triclaron Mountain Chalastra City
Abydon City Aea Spring
Echedoros City Garescos City Aeneia City Kissos City Bermion Mountain Canastraeon Promontory/ Pallene/Phlegra Peninsula (previously
Phlegra)/ Casandreia/Potidaea City (previously Potidaea) Beroea City
Aphytis City Mende City Skione City Sane City Mekyperna City Toronaeos Gulf Derris Promontory
Athos Promontory/Mountain Sigikos Gulf
Sigos City Acanthos City Acanthios Gulf
Kofos Port Maliakos Gulf Pagasitikon Gulf Strymonikon Gulf Sepias Promontory Nymphaeon Promontory
Acrathos Promontory Neapolis City Kleonae City Thyssos City
Olophyksis City Akrothoe City
Stageira City Capros Port/Island Phagres City Galepsos City
Apollonia City / Thrace/Threce Territory Myrkinos City
Argilos City Drabiskos City Daton City Pagaeon Mountain Uranopolis City Amphipolis City
Ennea Odoe City Agrianae City
Parorbelia City Eidomene City Kallipolis City
Orthopolis City Philippoupolis City Berge City Paeonia City Doberon City Bolbe City
Arethusa City Maedon City Sintoe City Perinthos City/ Philippoe/Crenides (before Crenides) Lemnos Island
Thasos Island Imbros Island Abdera City
Dikaea City/port Bistonis Lake Kartera City Xantheia City Maronia City
/ Ismaros/Ismara City Ismaris Lake
Thasion cefalae Rocks Sapeoi City Topeira City
Orthagoreia City Tempyra City Characoma City Parthenios> Imbrasos River Imbros Island Odrysae City
Bizye City Aenos City Melas Gulf/River Sarpedon Promontory
Abydon Strait Seston Strait Lysimaheia City Cardia City Paktye City Drabos City Limnae City
Alopeconnesos City Mazusia Promontory
Elaeus City Protesilaeion City Sigeion Promontory Troas Territory/ Kynos/Hecabes sema Promontory Madytos City Sestias Promontory Sestos City Krithote City Macron teichos Territory
Leuce acte Port Ieron oros Mountain
Selymbria City Silta City Proconnesos Island (Marmara)
Athyras River Bathynia River Byzantion City Cyaneae petrae Islands/Reefs Sigeios City Lampsacos City Kyzicos City Parios City Priapos City Sigrion Promontory Troea City
Ella Strait
Greece(Without Macedonia)
About the origin of the Greek language Strabo says,
Hecatus of Miletus says of the Peloponnesus, that, before the time of the Greeks, it was
inhabited by barbarians. Perhaps even the whole of Greece was, anciently, a settlement of
barbarians, if we judge from former accounts. For Pelops brought colonists from Phrygia into the
Peloponnesus, which took his name; Danaus brought colonists from Egypt; Dryopes, Caucones,
Pelasgi, Leleges, and other barbarous nations, partitioned among themselves the country on this
side of the isthmus. The case was the same on the other side of the isthmus; for Thracians, under
their leader Eumolpus, took possession of Attica; Tereus of Daulis in Phoca; the Phnicians,
with their leader Cadmus, occupied the Cadmeian district; Aones, and Temmices, and Hyantes,
Botia. Pindar says, 'there was a time when the Botian people were called Syes.' Some names
show their barbarous origin, as Cecrops, Codrus, clus, Cothus, Drymas, and Crinacus.
Thracians, Illyrians, and Epirot are settled even at present on the sides of Greece. Formerly the
territory they possessed was more extensive, although even now the barbarians possess a large
part of the country, which, without dispute, is Greece. Macedonia is occupied by Thracians, as
well as some parts of Thessaly; the country above Acarnania and tolia, by Thesproti, Cassopi,
Amphilochi, Molotti, and Athamanes, Epirotic tribes
Botia was first occupied by Barbarians, Aones, and Temmices, a wandering people from
Sunium, by Leleges, and Hyantes. Then the Phnicians, who accompanied Cadmus, possessed
it (The Aeolians) after having united the Orchomenian tract to Botia (for formerly they did
not form one community, nor has Homer enumerated these people with the Botians, but by
themselves, calling them Miny) with the assistance of the Orchomenians they drove out the
Pelasgi, who went to Athens, a part of which city is called from this people Pelasgic. The Pelasgi
however settled below Hymettus. The Thracians retreated to Parnassus. The Hyantes founded
Hyampolis in Phocis
Ephorus relates that the Thracians, after making treaty with the Botians, attacked them by
night, when encamped in a careless manner during a time of peace The Pelasgi and the
Botians also went during the war to consult the oracle (at Dodona). The messengers (of the
Botians) sent to consult the oracle suspecting the prophetess of favoring the Pelasgi on account
of their relationship, (for the temple had originally belonged to the Pelasgi,) seized the woman,
and threw her upon a burning pile
After this they assisted Penthilus in sending out the olian colony, and dispatched a large body
of their own people with him, so that it was called the Botian colony
The poet next mentions the Orchomenians in the Catalogue, and distinguishes them from the
Botian nation. He gives to Orchomenus the epithet Minyeian from the nation of the Miny.
They say that a colony of the Minyeians went hence to Iolcus, and from this circumstance the
Argonauts were called Miny. It appears that, anciently, it was a rich and very powerful city
Of its power there is this proof, that the Thebans always paid tribute to the Orchomenians, and to
Erginus their king, who it is said was put to death by Hercules... The spot which the present lake
Copas occupies, was formerly, it is said, dry ground, and was cultivated in various ways by the
Orchomenians, who lived near it; and this is alleged as a proof of wealth
The island (Euboea) had the name of Abantis also. The poet (Homer) in speaking of Euba
never calls the inhabitants from the name of the island, Eubans, but always Abantes. Aristotle
says that Thracians, taking their departure from Aba, the Phocian city, settled with the other
inhabitants in the island, and gave the name of Abantes to those who already occupied it; other
writers say that they had their name from a hero, as that of Euba was derived from a heroine.
But perhaps as a certain cave on the sea-coast fronting the gean Sea is called Boos-Aule, (or
the Cows Stall) where Io is said to have brought forth Epaphus, so the island may have had the
name Euba on this account
Some writers identify (Cephallenia) with Taphos, and the Cephallenians with Taphians, and
these again with Telebo. They assert that Amphitryon, with the aid of Cephalus, the son of
Deioneus, an exile from Athens, undertook an expedition against the island, and having got
possession of it, delivered it up to Cephalus But this is not in accordance with Homer, for the
Cephallenians were subject to Ulysses and Lrtes, and Taphos to Mentes. Nor does Hellanicus
follow Homer when he calls Cephallenia, Dulichium, for Dulichium, and the other Echinades,
are said to be under the command of Meges, and the inhabitants, Epeii, who came from Elis
As far as the Taphians (Leleges) of Cephalonia are concerned, according to Wikipedia they were
one of the aboriginal peoples of the Aegean littoral, distinct from the Pelasgians, the Bronze Age
Greeks, the Cretan Minoans, the Cycladic Telkhines, and the Tyrrhenians. The classical Hellenes
emerged as an amalgam of these six peoples. The distinction between the Leleges and the
Carians (a nation living in south west Anatolia) is unclear. According to Homer, the Leleges were
a distinct Anatolian tribe; However, Herodotus states that Leleges had been an early name for the
Carians. The fourth-century BCE historian Philippus of Theangela, suggested that the Leleges
maintained connections to Messenia, Laconia, Locris and other regions in mainland Greece, after
they were overcome by the Carians in Asia Minor.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leleges]
It is uncertain if the Leleges were the ancestors of the Carians or if they were displaced by the
later in Asia Minor in the beginning and in mainland Greece later on. Another interesting
example is the Caucones:
The Triphylii had their name from the accident of the union of three tribes; of the Epeii, the
original inhabitants; of the Miny, who afterwards settled there; and last of all of the Eleii, who
made themselves masters of the country
At present I must add some remarks concerning the Caucones in Triphylia. For some writers say,
that the whole of the present Elis, from Messenia to Dyme, was called Cauconia. Antimachus
calls them all Epeii and Caucones. But some writers say that they did not possess the whole
country, but inhabited it when they were divided into two bodies, one of which settled in
Triphylia towards Messenia, the other in the Buprasian district towards Dyme, and in the Hollow
Elis. And there, and not in any other place, Aristotle considered them to be situated. The last
opinion agrees better with the language of Homer, and the preceding question is resolved. For
Nestor is supposed to have lived at the Triphyliac Pylus, the parts of which towards the south and
the east (and these coincide towards Messenia and Laconia) was the country subject to Nestor,
but the Caucones now occupy it, so that those who are going from Pylus to Lacedmon must
necessarily take the road through the Caucones.
For the Caucones Wikipedia says they were an autochthonous tribe of Anatolia (modern-day
Turkey) whose migrations brought them to the western Greek mainland in Arkadia, Triphylian
Pylos, and north into Elis. Their etymology suggests strong affinities with the Caucasos
Mountains originally. According to Herodotus and other classical writers, they were displaced or
absorbed by the immigrant Bithynians, who were a group of clans from Thrace that spoke an
Indo-European language. Thracian Bithynians also expelled or subdued the Mysians, and some
minor tribes, the Mariandyni alone maintaining themselves in cultural independence, in the
northeast of what became Bithynia. Strabo acknowledges that in earlier times Bithynians were
called Mysians who, in turn, Herodotus says alongside Teucrians were invaders of northern
Greece (Thessaly) before the Trojan War.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucones]
Strabos story about the three tribes of Triphylia (= treis phyles, three tribes), the Epii, Minyans
and Eleii doesnt clarify the linguistic affinities between them. If the Epii were the original
inhabitants then probably they were Pelasgi. Minyans could be either Minoans (from Minos) or
Thracians (from Minyas). The Eleii if they were the last to arrive in Triphylia could be Greeks
but their relation to the Caucones is uncertain.
What seems to matter is that we have an amalgam of peoples, either closely or distantly related
to each other, who altogether mix to form a culture which emerged as purely Greek in later
times. The Caucones for example could be IEs but it is difficult to imagine that they were the
only responsible for the emergence of the Greek language in the Peloponnese. The Leleges or
Carians on the other hand were Pelasgians but it seems very probable that they also spoke an
early form of an IE language. Therefore both the Caucones and the Leleges/Carians together with
other tribes like Thracians and Phrygians, or even Minoans if they were Luwians and
Tyrrhenians whoever they were contributed to the emergence of a language which could be later
identified as Greek. Therefore when Herodotus or Strabo say that Greece was previously
occupied by barbarians, these barbarians could be equally the Greek newcomers, who at this
stage spoke a language as much barbarian as the language of their predecessors.
Another note by Strabo is that, It will suffice then to add, that, according to Philochorus, when
the country (of Attica) was devastated on the side of the sea by the Carians, and by land by the
Botians, whom they called Aones, Cecrops first settled a large body of people in twelve cities,
the names of which were Cecropia, Tetrapolis, Epacria, Deceleia, Eleusis, Aphidn, Thoricus,
Brauron, Cytherus, Sphettus, Cephisia, [Phalerus]. Again, at a subsequent period, Theseus is said
to have collected the inhabitants of the twelve cities into one, the present city.
The story of Crecrops and Theseus against Carians and Boeotians may suggest that it was finally
Thracians and Phrygians that prevailed over Carians and other Pelasgians already inhabiting
Greece. But again the Thracian and the Phrygian languages as attested in later times were quite
different from the Greek language. Therefore they werent the original Greek speakers, no more
than the Carians and the rest of the Pelasgians. But perhaps they were the first to write down in
the Linear B tablets the language which emerged in Mycenaean times.
Place names
Aegaeon Sea (Aegean) Sounion Promontry/Territory< Peloponnesos< Argos Territory (Peloponnese) Libycon Sea Sikelicos Gulf Corinthiacos Gulf Crisaeos Gulf Scotussa City Peneios River Tempe Territory
/ / Attice/Actice/Acte Territory< Boeotia< Ogygia Territory Megaris Territory Thermopylae City Trachinia Territory Chelonatas Promontory Isthmos Isthmus (of Corinth)
Maleoe City < < Sikyon
Pisatis Territory Triphylia Territory Kyllene City
Arcadicon Mountain/ Elison/Elisa River
Selleeis City Ephyra City (previously Cichyra)
Thesprotia Territory Lasion City/ Boenoe/Oenoe City
Orchomenos City Oechalia Territory Eurytos City
Andania City Scollion City Coryphasion City// Gerenos/Gerena/Gerenoe City/ Geron/Geranios River Bouprasion City
Erymanthos City Phrixa Territory
Epitalion Territory Macistia Territory Chalcis River Crounoe Spring Samicon Fortress Minthe Mountain Neda River
Hypana City Tympaneae City Dalion River
Annion City Cauconia Territory Lacedaemon Territory Ionaeon Grove
Eurykydeion Grove Samos City/Island
Arene City Thryon/Thryoessa> Epitalion City > (;) Aepy> Margalae(?) City
Amphigeneia City Pteleon City Aegialos City> / Dorion> Oluris/Olura Mountain/Territory > Oechalia> Andania City Cyparisseeis River
Hypsoeis City
Anchialos City Andron City
Pteleasion Village Alorion City
Pheae City Olympos Mountain
Salmone City > Pisa>Bisa City/spring Cicysion City
Enipeus River Cytherios River
Arpina City Parthenias River Dyspontion City Messenia Territory
/ Eleia/Elis Territory Messene City Messeniacos Gulf
Asine City / Asinaeos/Acritas Gulf
Hire City< Pherae< Cardamyle City
Antheia City > Aepeia> Thouria City Pedasos City / Oetylos/Boetylos City Aegaleon Mountain/ Sphagia/Sphacteria Islands Strophades Islands Thyrides Promontory Kinaethion Promontory Taenaron Promontory Charadra City Thalamae City Nedon City Poeaessa City
Echeiae City Tragion City
/ Enope/ Enispe City Thouriates Gulf
/ Erana/Arene City Stenyclaros City
Hyameitis City Acrocorinthos Acropolis
/ Limnae/Limnaeon Territory
Taygetos Mountain Amyclae City
Pharis City Phycous Promontory Pachynos Promontory Maleas Promontory
Onou gnathos Pennsula Coryx Promontory Psamathus City
Acraeoe City> Boea> Maleae City
Asopos City/ Messe/Messoa Territory / Augeiae/Aegaeae Territory Ionia City
Las City Aegys City Scyllaeon Promontory Aegina City
Epidauros limera City Minoa Fortress Temenion City Lerne River/Lake
Argos City Heraeon City
Mycenae City Nauplia Territory Caphereas Promontory Calauria Island Schoenous Port Cechreae Port Tiryns City Thasos Island Larisa Citadel
Inachos River Lyrkeion Mountain
Erasinos River Bouras Gulf
Amymone Fountain / Hionae/ Eiones City
/ Likimnion/Likymna City/Acropolis Prosymna City Spercheios River
Athenae City < Epidauros/Epitauros City
Methana Fortress/Peninsula Tenea> Tegea City
/ >
Araethyrea/ Araethyree >
Phliasia
City
Kelosse Mountain Carneates Mountain Thebae City Plataeae City Paros City Nemeas River > Aegialeia> Ionia Territory Probalinthos City Tricorynthos City Patrae City
Helice City Achaea Territory
Priene Territory / Hermion/ Hermione City
/ Megale polis/ Megalopolitis City/Territory Aegeira City Boura City
/ Olenos City Tritaeeis City/ Pellana/ Pellene City Sybaris Fountain Keryneia City
Hamarion Grove Selinus River
Aktion City Larisos River
Araxos Promontory Kyllene Mountain
Heraea City Cleitor City Pheneos City/ Stymphalos/ Stymphalioe City Stymphalis Lake Maenalos City/Mountain Methydrion City Caphyeis City Kynaetha City
/ Ripe/ Rypes City Stratie City Parthenion Mountain
Anias River Stygos hydor Spring
Elis City Peiraeus City
Oropos City Scironides Rocks Minoa Promontory/ Nisaea City/Port Pythion City
Eleusis City Thriasion Territory
Oneia Mountain Alkyonis Sea
> Salamis> Pityussa City/ Sciras/ Kychreia City> Bocaros> Bocalia River Polichne City
Aegeiroussa City/ Tripodes/ Tripodiskion City Kerata Mountain
Amphiale City Pharmacussae Islands Phoron Port Psyttaleia Island Mounichia Hill Marathon City
Ramnous City Deceleia City Phyle City Cecropia City Tetrapolis City
Epacria City / Aphidna/ Aphidnae City
Thoricos City Brauron City Cythyros City Sphettos City Cephisia City Phaleros City Zoster Promontory
Astypalaea Promontory Phabra Island
Elaeussa Island Hydrussa Island
Belbina Island Potamos City / / Prasia/ Prasiae/ Prasieis City Steiria City Myrrinous City Psaphis City Leuce acte Promontory
Hymettos Mountain Brilessos Mountain Lycabettos Mountain Parnes Mountain Corydallos Mountain Pentelicon Mountain Cephissos River Phalericon Gulf Trinemeoe Territory
Agra Territory Lykeion Territory
Eridanos Springs/ Creousa/ Creusa City Euripos Strait Aulis City Salganeas City
Anthedon City / Hyas polis/ Hyampolis City
Thespiae City Delphinion Port Delion City Bathys Port / Graea/Tanagra City Poemandris Territory Cnopia City Mycalessos City
Harma City/ Hyria/ Hysiae City / Erythrae City / / Heleon/ Helos/ Heilesion City
Larymna City Halae City
/ Aegae/ Aega City Messapion Mountain
/ Isos/ Nisa City/ Phara/ Pharae City Nysa City Copais Lake Copae City
Anchoe City/Lake Triton River Melas River/ Lilaea City Parapotamioe City Permessos River
Olmeios River Trephia Lake Cephissis Lake
Hylae City Hylice Lake Hyde City
Peteon City Schoenos City Schoenous River Scolos City
Olynthos City
/ Parasopioe/ Parasopias City> Eteonos> Scarphe City
Parasopia Territory Asopos River
Ismenos River Dirke Fountain Therapnae City Teumessos Hill
Ascre City Haliartos City Alalkomenion City Onchestos City
Phoenikion River Phoenekis City
Okalea City Eutresis City> Thisbe> Thisbae City
Acraephiae City Tilphousion City Coroneia City/Lake
Haliartis Lake Tilphossa Fountain Tilphossion Mountain Glissas City
Arne City/ /
Couarios/ Coralios/Couralios River
Eleutherae City Hypaton Mountain
Cadmeia Acropolis Aonion Territory
Potniae City Thebae City
Hypothebae City Tenericon Territory Ptoon Mountain/ Mideia/ Midea City Chaeronia City Lebadeia City / / Leuctra/ Leuctron/ Leuctroe City Mantineia City
> Aspledon> Eudeielos City> Panopeus> Phanoteus City Daphnous City
Opous City/Gulf Crisa City Cirra City
Anticyrra City Delphoe City Cirphis City Cnemis Mountain Oetaea City Oetaeon Mountain Aetolicon Mountain Cocyrion antron Cave
Elateia City Pythoe City Locroe City
Ozoloe City Lycoreia City Castalia Fountain Pleistos River Pylae City
Opisthomarathos City Pharygion Promontory
Ambrysos City Medeon City Daulis City Cyparissos City
Elarion Cave> Trachin> Heracleia City
/ Anemoreia/ Anemoleia City Katopterios Territory
Adylion Mountain Acontion Mountain
Glechon City Apollonia Territory Epidamnos City
Thermopylae City Kynos Port
Atalante City Alope City
Cnemides City Malieas Gulf Lichades Islands Thronion City/ Boagrios/ Manes River Scarpheia City Nicaea City
Calliaros Territory Bessa Territory> Tarphe> Pharygae City
Amphissa City Naupactos City Oeantheia City Eupalion City/ Pindos/ Acyphas City/River Callidromon Mountain Teichious City
Rodountia City Dyras River Phoenix River Tempe Territory Pelion Mountain
/ Ossa/ Osse Mountain< / /
Thettalia< Pyrraea/ Aemonia/
Nessonis
Territory
Paeonia City Nessonis Lake Phthiotis Territory
Hestiaeotis Territory Thettaliotis Territory Pelasgiotis Territory Pylaeicos Gulf Dolopia Territory Pharsalos City Magnesia Territory Larisa City
Alos City/ Phthia/ Phthie Territory
Hellas Territory Argos Pelasgicon Territory
Palaepharsalos City Thetideion City Messeis Spring
Hypereia Spring Melitaea City Pyrra City
Othrys Mountain Apidanos River Antron City Halos City Halious City
/ Typhrestos/ Tymphrestos Mountain Itonos City
Crocion Territory Amphrysos River
Phylace City/ Lamia City
Echinos City Narthacion City/ Thaumacia/ Thaumacoe City Proerna City Paracheloete City
Asclepiadae City Acyphas City
Tomaros Mountain Phalara City / Kremaste/ Pelasgia Larisa City/ Demetrion/ Pyrasos City Phyllos Territory
Ichnae Territory Cieros Territory
Athamania Territory Pyrra Island Deucalion Island Pherae City Pagasae City Iolcos City Aphetae City
Demetrias City Neleia City
Ormenion City Rizous City
Boebe City Boebeis Lake
Anauros River Kikynethos City/Island/ Methone City
Olizon City Meliboea City Sciathos Island Peparethos Island Icos Island Halonnesos Island
Scyros Island Tricce Island/ Ithome/ Thome City/ Acropolis
< Histiaeotis< Doris Territory Metropolis City Pelinnaeon City Gomphoe City Castnietis City
Onthyrion City Pharcadon City
Atrax City Cyphos Mountain/City Titaresios River Perraebia Territory Mopsion City Kynos kephalae Village Dotion City
/ Homolion/ Homole City Erymnae City
/ Sepias/ Sepiae City Casthanea City Ipnoe City
< / /
Euboea< Macris/ Abantis/
Ellopia
Island
/ Kenaeon/ Kynos Promontory Geraestos City Petalia City Coela Territory
/ Aba/ Abae City Oche Mountain
Telethrion Mountain Histiaea City
Kerinthos City Aedepsos City
/ Orobia/ Orobiae City Oreos City
Drymos Territory Callas River Dion City
Athenae diades City Canae City Boudoros River Carystos City Styra City
< / Eretria< Melaneis/ Arotria City Marmarion City
Halae Araphenidae City
Canethos City/ Lelanton/ Lelantion Plain/ Territory/ Macistos/ Platanistus City
Amarynthos City Kereus River Neleus River Aetolia Territory
Acarnania Territory Anactorion City
Nicopolis City Oeneiadae City Leucas City
Argos Amphilochicon City Ambracia Lake
Calydon City Pleuron City Trichonion City Corax Mountain Molycreia City Taphiassos Mountain Macynia City Courion Mountain Chalcis Mountain/ Chalcis/ Hypochalcis City> Pylene> Proschion City Leucas Island Neritos City Ithace Island
/ / Cephallenia/ Samos/ Same Island Crocyleia Island Aegilipa Island/ Doulichion/ Dolicha Island
Echinades Islands Paleis City Pronesos City Cranioe City/ Taphos/ Taphias Island
Asteria Island Zacynthos Island
< Oxeiae< Thoae Islands Oeniadae Islands Paracheloetis Territory
Ambrakicos Gulf Myrtountion Sea-lake Palaeros City
Alyzia City Heracleus limen Port
Crithote Promontory Astacos City
Nicomedeia City Astacenos Gulf
Melite Lake Kynia Lake Ouria Lake
Halicyrna City Aracynthos City
< Lysimacheia< Hydra Lake Arsinoe City
Conopa City Cyclades Islands Sporades Islands Crete Island Creticon Sea Libycon Sea Aegyption Sea Phalasarna City Criou metopon Promontory Kimaros Promontory Samonion Promontory
Amphimalla City Phoenix City Minoa City Hierapytna City
Leuca ore Mountain Cythera Island Prason City
Erineos City Boeos City Cytinion City< Cnossos< Kaeratos City Gortyna City/ Lyttos/ Lyctos City
Heracleion Port Amnisos City
Eileithyias ieron Sanctuary Leben City Matalon City Lethaeos River Dicte Mountain
Ide Mountain
Cherronesos Promontory/Port Dictynna City Cydonia City Tityros Mountain
Aptera City Kisamos Port Phaestos City
Rytion City Lissen City Miletos City Lycastos City Thera Island
Anaphe Island Therasia Island
Ios Island Sikinos Island Lagousa Island Pholegandros Island Kimolos Island Siphnos Island Melos Island Delos Island/ Kynthos Island Inopos River
Patmos Island Corassiae Islands Icaria Island
Samos Island Icarion Sea
Kos Island Carpathion Sea
Rodos Island Atabyris City Astypalaea Island
Telos Island Chalkia Island Nisyros Island/ Crapathos/ Carpathos Island Casos Island Calydnae Islands Cypros Island Samos Island Chios Island Lesbos Island Tenedos Island Calymna Island
A reconstruction of the 3rd millennium BCE Proto-Greek area, by Vladimir I. Georgiev
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Greek_language]
Concerning the origin of the Greek language opinions vary. The previous map suggests an origin
in the North-West and the Balkans in general. But if the first people came in Greece from the
Near East or from Anatolia and the Caucasus then the Greek language may have split before it
came to Greece. Most probably variations of the language (which would later evolve to Greek)
were spoken both in Greece and Asia Minor (including varieties of Thracian/Phrygian/Carian,
etc.), before one or some of these varieties prevailed over the others.
Thessaly may be considered a good candidate for the core of a language which could have later
evolved to Greek. Firstly because it was the first place where people settled in the Neolithic
(considering this the most ancient substratum), and secondly because foundation myths place the
origin there. Strabo refers to these myths,
It is said, that Hellen was the son of Deucalion, and that he governed the country about Phthia
between the Peneius and Asopus, and transmitted to his eldest son these dominions, sending the
others out of their native country to seek a settlement each of them for himself. Dorus, one of
them, settled the Dorians about Parnassus, and when he left them, they bore his name. Xuthus,
another, married the daughter of Erechtheus, and was the founder of the Tetrapolis of Attica,
which consisted of noe, Marathon, Probalinthus, and Tricorynthus.
Achus, one of the sons of Xuthus, having committed an accidental murder, fled to Lacedmon,
and occasioned the inhabitants to take the name of Achans. Ion, the other son, having
vanquished the Thracian army with their leader Eumolpus, obtained so much renown, that the
Athenians intrusted him with the government of their state. It was he who first distributed the
mass of the people into four tribes, and these again into four classes according to their
occupations, husbandmen, artificers, priests, and the fourth, military guards; after having made
many more regulations of this kind, he left to the country his own name. It happened at that time
that the country had such an abundance of inhabitants, that the Athenians sent out a colony of
Ionians to Peloponnesus, and the tract of country which they occupied was called Ionia after their
own name, instead of gialeia, and the inhabitants Ionians instead of gialeans, who were
distributed among twelve cities.
After the return of the Heracleid, these Ionians, being expelled by the Achans, returned to
Athens, whence, in con junction with the Codrid, (descendants of Codrus,) they sent cut the
Ionian colonists to Asia. They founded twelve cities on the sea-coast of Caria and Lydia, having
distributed themselves over the country into as many parts as they occupied in Peloponnesus.
This area around Thessaly, including also other parts of Central Greece was refered to as the
Pelasgic Argos, in contrast to Argos in the Peloponnese,
Some have understood Pelasgic Argos to be a Thessalian city, formerly situated near Larisa, but
now no longer in existence. Others do not understand a city to be meant by this name, but the
Thessalian plain, and to have been so called by Abas, who established a colony there from
Argos
With respect to Phthia, some suppose it to be the same as Hellas and Achaia, and that these
countries form the southern portion in the division of Thessaly into two parts. But others
distinguish Phthia and Hellas
Some of the later writers (after Homer), who affirm that (Hellas) is a country, suppose it to have
extended from Palpharsalus to Theb Phthiotides. In this country also is Thetidium, near both
the ancient and the modern Pharsalus; and it is conjectured from Thetidium that the country, in
which it is situated, was a part of that under the command of Achilles. Others, who regard it as a
city, allege that the Pharsalii show at the distance of 60 stadia from their own city, a city in ruins,
which they believe to be Hellas, and two springs near it, Messeis and Hypereia. But the
Melitenses say, that at the distance of about 10 stadia from their city, was situated Hellas on the
other side of the Enipeus, when their own city had the name of Pyrrha, and that the Hellenes
migrated from Hellas, which was built in a low situation, to theirs. They adduce in proof of this
the tomb of Hellen, son of Deucalion and Pyrrha, which is in their marketplace
This then is the account of the several parts of Thessaly. In general we say, that it was
formerly called Pyrrha, from Pyrrha, the wife of Deucalion; Hmonia, from Hmon; and
Thettalia, from Thettalus, the son of Hmon. But some writers, after dividing it into two
portions, say, that Deucalion obtained by lot the southern part, and called it Pandora, from his
mother; that the other fell to the share of Hmon, from whom it was called Hmonia; that the
name of one part was changed to Hellas, from Hellen, the son of Deucalion, and of the other to
Thettalia, from Thettalus, the son of Hmon. But, according to some writers, it was the
descendants of Antiphus and Pheidippus, sons of Thettalus, descended from Hercules, who
invaded the country from Ephyra in Thesprotia, and called it after the name of Thettalus their
progenitor. It has been already said that once it had the name of Nessonis, as well as the lake,
from Nesson, the son of Thettalus.
What is difficult to realize from the previous narration is the time gap, for example between
Deucalion and Heamon or Hellen, since it is very probable that the lineages didnt succeed
directly one another, and it is also possible that there were more than one persons having these
names. But in any case the story is indicative of a place in Thessaly or generally in the Pelasgic
Argos whose name turned into Hellas, referring of course to the Hellenes as a dinstinct subgroup
among other groups, in some degree related to each other.
AsiaAsia is divided by the ancients into two parts, above and below the Taurus mountain range
(which, as depicted in ancient maps, is supposed to stretch all the way to the East). As Strabo
says, The Taurus, extending from west to east, embraces the middle of this continent, like a
girdle, leaving one portion to the north, another to the south. The Greeks call the former Asia
within the Taurus, the latter Asia without the Taurus. We have said this before, but it is repeated
now to assist the memory.
Place names
Taxonomy of toponymsThe main supposition of IE linguistics is that IEs invaded Europe from the Ukrainian steppes and
replaced the languages previously spoken in, what has been called, Old Europe. This view has
been based on some clues, some of which include: the introduction of tumuli and horses; the
transition from female divine figurines to male ones; the similarities between ancient Sanskrit,
ancient Persian and ancient Greek, which would point to a common origin in the East. However,
as my analysis will show, place names which are considered pre- Greek can be proved in many
cases to be proto- Greek with smooth transitions of suffixes and in comparison with common
Modern Greek words of the same form. Furthermore, the wide distribution of these place names
suggests that more probably they used to form the landmarks of a lingua franca, an isogloss,
spreading all across the Mediterranean and beyond, and which was adopted and transformed by
local populations, instead of being replaced by invading newcomers, who, supposedly, had
changed the old languages but, strangely enough, had kept most, if not all, of the old place
names.
In the following taxonomy I have included all toponyms which Strabo mentions about Greece.
Initially I thought to make the division according to the suffix but this proved pointless. Most of
place names end in s for masc. or e/a for fem. (or on for neut.). But going a step further back
more interesting patterns appear, e.g. endings in ra or na and themes like halos, hali, ins/
inth, while this process can reveal earlier, hidden, themes and suffixes, sometimes ending to
monosyllable words, e.g. La-ra-ssa-ios (Larisaeos/Larisaios), a word which may contain as much
as three successive endings (-ra/-ssa/-ios) and a prototype word-theme La/Las= stone, place,
which theme incidentally may be also found at the end of words as a suffix, e.g. Margala,
Amycla/Amyclae, Corcyla/Corcyra, etc.
Furthermore, analyzing the toponyms in order to put them in categories I realized, once again,
that the themes and endings repeat themselves and overlap with each other in such a manner that
in many cases the names can easily move from one group to another, while the suffixes
themselves can move back and forth in time, without a clear distinction which is older and which
is earlier.
As far as the ending s/os/ios, which may be considered a standard Greek suffix, is concerned,
it is probably nothing more than an initial s ending, as in the names Pelops or Tiryns, which
evolved into the standard classical Greek endings os/jos by expansion, Pelopas or Tirynos, and
so on. Incidentally in villages of modern Greece many people prefer the contracted forms rather
than the expanded ones. For example ti kans (how are you) or ti psachns (what are you looking
for) rather than the standard types ti kaneis or ti psachneis.
In many cases we see that there is an imperfect integration of the (so considered) Greek suffix
(i)os/(i)a/(i)on (and the like). In names such as Naxos, Andros, Myconos, etc., the names
should have been masculine (os is reserved mainly for masc. names in modern Greek) but they
are feminine instead, suggesting perhaps that the people who later used the names were not
familiar with the meaning of the ending; or that the people who used the ending regarded the
names as feminine to remind them of the foreign origin. Compare for example the pair of words
Calymna/Calymnos. Probably the na ending is fem., while the os ending is masc. Therefore
one may say that the Greeks (those considered have been using the os ending) changed the
name from Calymna to Calymnos but kept the fem. gender to remind them of the foreign origin
of the name. However, if we consider for the pair Calymna/Calymnos a pair of suffixes (m)na/
(m)nos then the story is different because in this case it would have been the same people who
used both forms of the name. The same could be said for place names with other suffixes, e.g.
Dilesi, Milesi (si); Lari(s)sa, Amphi(s)sa, Hymettos, Lycabettos (ssa/ttos), Aptera, Cercyra (
ra); etc. Therefore the case of a continuous transition from one form to the other (e.g. a pair na/
nos or ra/ros, etc., equivalent to the pair a/os) should also be considered.
With a few obvious exceptions the vast majority of place names are, lets say, Pelasgic, or better
Pelasgic-Greek. By obvious exceptions I mean words such as Amphigeneia (amphi=both+
genos=gender/breed), Callipolis (callos=beauty +polis=city), Demetrias (the goddess Demeter),
Amphilochia (amphi=both+ lochos=ambush/thicket), Hecatompolis (hecaton=hundred+
polis=city), Epidauros/Epitauros (epi=on+ tauros=bull), etc. But even such obviously Greek
words can be shown to be of a previous origin. For example, the word polis (city) is considered
to derive from a PIE root pele-, in which case names such as Pylos (pyle=gate), Pella, Pellana
could be considered cognates. Even the name Pelasgoi contains the theme pele-. However, these
names are considered pre- IE.
First taxonomy
-ios/-ia/-ion -eos/-ea/-eon -os/-a/-on -os/-os/-os -as/-as -is/-isAcarnania
Acontion
Acraephiae
Adylion
Aegaeae
Aegialeia
Aegion
Aegyption
Aemonia
Aepasia/
Aepasion
Aepeia
Aetolia
Aktion
Alalkomenio
n
Aleision/
Aleisios
Alesiaeon
Alorion
Achaea/
Achaeae
Acraea
Acraeoe/
Araethyrea/
Araethyree
Asea
Asinaeos
Astypalaea
Boea
Boeos/
Casthanea
Cechreae
Crisaeos
Crounoe
Cyparisseeis
Erineos
Euboea
Graea
Heraea/
Actice
Aetolicon
Ambrakicos
Arcadicon/
Arcadicos
Argolicos
Attice
Callidromon
Cleonae
Corinthiacos
Creticon
Hermionicos
Hypaton
Laconice/
Laconicos
Leuctra/
Leuctroe/
Leuctron
Libycon
Messeniacos
Acrocorinthos
Aedepsos
Aegialos
Alos
Ambrysos/
Amphrysos
Alpheios
Amarynthos
Amathos
Amnisos
Amorgos
Anauros
Anchialos
Andros
Apidanos
Aracynthos
Araxos
Argos
Asopos
Astacenos
Acritas
Acyphas
Agriades
Anias
Asclepiadae
Bouras
Callas
Caphereas
Chelonatas
Cyclades
Demetrias
Dyras
Echinades
Eiones
Eurotas
Glissas
Hellas
Las
Leucas
Lichades
Abantis
Alkyonis
Amphidolida
Atabyris
Bleminatis
Boebeis
Aulis
Castnietis
Cephissis
Chalcis
Cirphis
Cnemis/
Cnemides
Copais
Daulis
Doris
Eleusis
Elis
Eutresis
Haliartis
Alyzia
Ambracia
Amphigeneia
Amymone
Anactorion
Andania
Andania
Anemoreia/
Anemoleia
Anigros/
Minyeios
Annion
Antheia
Aonion
Apollonia
Arcadia
Argeia
Arotria
Asteria
Athamania
Augeiae/
Boagrios
Boeotia/
Bouprasion
Cadmeia
Calauria
Carpathion
Castalia
Cauconia
Cecropia
Cephallenia
Heraeon
Histiaea
Ionaeon
Karthaea
Kenaeon
Lechaeon
Lethaeos
Lilaea
Limnae/
Limnaeon
Lycaeon
Maleae/
Maleoe
Meliboea
Melitaea
Midea
Nemea
Nicaea
Nisaea
Oetaea/
Oetaeon
Okalea
Oreos
Orneae
Pelinnaeon
Pheae
Pheneos
Plataeae
Pyrraea
Renaea
Scyllaeon
Ozoloe
Pentelicon
Phalericon
Pylaeicos
Pyrgoe
Pythoe
Salaminiaco
s
Samicon
Saronicos
Sikelicos
Tenericon
Thoricos
Triphyliace
Astacos
Bocaros
Boudoros
Brilessos
Calliaros
Canethos
Carystos
Casos
Cephissos
Cherronesos
Cieros
Cnossos
Corinthos
Corydallos
Crapathos/
Carpathos
Cyparissos
Cyphos
Cypros
Cythyros
Delos
Drymos
Echinos
Elixos
Epidamnos
Epidauros/
Epitauros
Erasinos
Eridanos
Erymanthos
Eteonos
Maleas/
Malieas
Melas
Nemeas
Oeneiadae/
Oeniadae
Othryas
Parasopias
Parthenias
Salganeas
Sciras
Sepias
Sporades
Strophades
Taphias
Thyreas
Hecatompoli
s
Histiaeotis
Hyameitis
Hyampolis
Hypoch