--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "alexandru_mg3" <alexandru_mg3@...>
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> II.
> > If Mikhailova thinks the
> > name Marcoma(n)ni is Gaulish, I'd like to see some justification
> for
> > that claim,
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0. I thought also that we have the name of 'horse', before to read
Mikhailova => so this is not sonething un-thinkable...
I cannot speak of course in place of Mikhailova
But the Reasons are the following ones:
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1. Because marko- in Marcomanni is phonetically identical with the
Celtic word marko- 'horse'
(--> so no 'Latinisation' or other 'phonetical adjustement' are
needed)
2. Next the series of Celtic names starting with marko- is impressive
Marco-durum 'horse gate'(?)
Marcomagus 'Horse-valley' (DAG 221)
Marco-lica 'horse-stone (? Spain; Delammare 2003:217)
Compare the Gaulish proper names
Marcomarus,
Marcosena,
Marcus (?, the king's name in the Tristan Legend).
Consider Ambio-Marcis
(dat. pl) a "Matronen-name" (Schmidt 1957:123)
to add Marco- of Marcomani in this long series is not un-thinkable
Piotr, in contrary.
3. IN ADDITION marko- is found/spreaded in other areals too
see Dacian Marco-dava
(and I will not discuss here the possible loans directions)
4. Also no need for a Gaulish interpretation of the second element in
Marcomanni as I show you already
5. Finally semantically "horse-men" sounds more resonable
than "border-men" in a zone and in a time where there were no clear
borders...
So these are enough arguments, at least for me.
Marius