Re: Albanian names (2) -> Besa, Besiana

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "alexandru_mg3" wrote:

> Regarding the Thraco-Dacian origin of Albanian names : Besa,
> Besiana
>
> I. Bessa - Female Name attested in an inscription at Ulpia Traiana
> Sarmizegetusa:
> ====================================================================
>
> Iulia Bessa, ULPIA TRAIANA, CIL, III 1438 (Farcadin HD)
>
> CIL 03, 01438 = IDR-03-02, 314.:
> " Deae Nemesi /
> Regin(ae) /
> Cornelius Cornelianus /
> defens(or) lecticar(iorum) /
> et Iulia Bessa /

It looks more like an ethnical name indicating the person belonged
to Bessi people. If Iulia had Bessian ascendence, the label "Bessa"
would be the simplest way to emphasize it (in Latin).

> II. Attested -> "Bessi" Tribe :
> ==================================

[snip]

Everybody knows about Bessi. This is not a personal name but an
ethnical name given by foreigners to a tribe. There is no proof
that Bessi people had currently used the foreign ethnical name
in their own language to call individuals.
Albanian "besa" means `oath`, `care`, `protection`, the name
looks rather motivated in Albanian and not related to an ancient
tribe name.

Cheers,
Marius Iacomi