Antiquity Studies

Series | Antiquity Studies
Edited book | The Gift of Altino
Chapter | Nomi di luoghi e nomi di fiumi in area altinate: tra lingua e cultura

Nomi di luoghi e nomi di fiumi in area altinate: tra lingua e cultura

Abstract

This paper discusses some toponyms of the surrounding area of ancient Altinum. Some place names and river names, usually attested by latin sources, can trace back to older linguistic stage. I consider the names Altinum and Silis, but also the hydronyms Zero and Muson (the ancient names are unattested), which origin could be attribute to the Venetic language. The proposal of a Venetic basis from indoeuropean *eghero for the name Zero is apparently to exclude because of the medieval forms Zayro/Iairo, which arise from latin theatrum; nevertheless, the -ai- forms can be explained as a cultural induction, considering the proximity of the river to the ancient theater of Altinum.


Open access

Published Dec. 16, 2019 | Language: it

Keywords EtymologyLanguage changeVeneticToponomyAltinum


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