The Greek Hero: The Man with Strong Bones

Georges-Jean Pinault (1)

1 Mondes Iranien et Indien - UMR 7528

New etymological assessement of the Greek word hêrôs. Contrary to a widespread assumption, it has no relationship with the name of the goddess Hêrâ. The Greek designation of the 'hero' is traced back to a double possessive compound meaning 'having (bone-)strength provided with durability'.

Mots clés: Ancient Greek language; etymology; Indo-European linguistics; nominal compounding

Domaines: Linguistique

Georges-Jean Pinault. The Greek Hero: The Man with Strong Bones. Monuments and texts in antiquity and beyond. Essays for the centenary of Georgi Mihailov (1915-1991), 5, St. Kliment Ohridski University Press, pp.478-487, 2016, Studia Classica Serdicensia, 978-954-07-4103-1. ⟨halshs-01446080⟩