The etymological connection of Latin provincia (‘province’) with pro-vincere (‘defeat beforehand’) in Festus (253: “provinciae appellantur quod populus Romanus eas provicit, i.e. ante vicit”) is not plausible and probably based on a popular etymology. Likewise, Isidore’s explanation of provinciae as overseas territory ‘far from’ (procul) Italy is no more convincing (Isid. Orig. 14,5,19: “procul positas regiones provincias app…
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Galsterer, Hartmut (Bonn),
“Provincia”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 17 May 2022 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1011570>