Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Patronymics
(873 words)

Abstract

This article summarizes patronymic forms appearing in the various Greek periods and dialects, their lexical/morphological origins and the frequency and parameters of their use.  Examples of ancient patronymics from Mycenaean are provided.

Ancient Greek nomenclature owes much to Indo-European naming practices, which is clear from the Mycenaean evidence (dating from the 13th century BCE) as well as the Homeric poems (dated to the 8th century BCE and composed to evoke Bronze Age society). Greek men an…

Cite this page
Thomas Smitherman, “Patronymics”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 01 April 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_SIM_00000406>
First published online: 2014



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