Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek RacesGladstone, W. E. (William Ewart)
History
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek Races
Gladstone, W. E. (William Ewart)
Civilization, Homeric; Epic poetry, Greek -- History and criticism; Homer
The etymology of the three first names seems obvious enough: and,
though the persons are all rulers among their people, not one of them
unequivocally presents the characteristics which we should regard as
appropriate in Hellic names: although, from their being of the highest
rank, we should be less surprised if the case were otherwise.
As regards the first of the four, upon examining the class of names
relating to the horse in the poems, we find, as far as I have observed,
only Hipponous[553] among the Greeks. This rank does not clearly
appear: but νόος, the second factor of the word, supplies the higher
element.
On the other side, in addition to Hippolochus, a name meaning
horse-ambush, who was both Lycian and royal, we have Hippasus,
Hippodamas, Hippodamus, Hippocoon, Hippomachus, and Hippotion. We have
likewise,
Melanippus, (Il. xvi. 695.)
Echepolus, (Il. xvi. 417.)
Euippus, (Il. xvi. 417.)
Take again Pulæus, from πύλη. This name may mean porter or gate-keeper:
it is scarcely susceptible of a high sense. In connection with the
character of the Pelasgians as masons and builders of walled places, it
is appropriate to them. Homer has three other names, and no more, which
appear to be founded simply upon the term gate: Πύλων, Πυλάρτης, and
Πυλαιμένης. They are all on the Trojan side.
Next, we have a larger class of names, where a strong infusion of the
Pelasgic character may be expected: namely, those connected with Attica.
Among these, three belong to its royal house, and in them we find no
certain features of the Pelasgian kind. They are,
1. Erechtheus, }
2. Peteos, } From Il. ii. 547-52.
3. Menestheus, }
The last of the three, however, seems, if derived from μένος, to belong
to the higher class of names.
Besides these three there are,
4. Pheidas, }
5. Stichius, } Il. xiii. 690, 1.
6. Bias, }
7. Iasus, }
8. Sphelus, } Il. xv. 332, 7, 8.
9. Boucolus. }
Now the whole of these are commanders or officers; and yet four of
them, Pheidas (φείδω), Stichius (στείχω), Sphelus (σφάλλω), and
Boucolus (βούκολος), are in a marked manner of the Pelasgian class:
Bias (βίη), may perhaps belong to it, as meaning mere physical force:
and on the etymology of the ancient name Iasus I do not venture to
speculate. Boucolus, like Boucolion, which we shall meet presently,
deserves particular attention: we find nothing at all resembling it
among the names which are (on other grounds) presumably Hellic.
Other names in the poems, which there may be some reason, from their
local connection, to presume Pelasgian, are,
1. Lycoorgus, } From Il. vii. 136, 149, where
2. Ereuthalion, } they are described as Arcadians.
3. Dmetor, Lord of Cyprus, from Od. xvii. 443.
And perhaps we may add,
4. An Ion or Ian, as head of the Ἰάονες.
5. An Apis, the early eponymist of the Peloponnesus, or a part of
it[554].
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account