05-29-2016, 04:55 PM
(05-27-2016, 10:36 PM)Nathan Ross Wrote:(05-27-2016, 08:32 PM)John1 Wrote: the site named in the Ravenna Cosmography as Iaciodulma was on Watling Street and may have been derived from a latin compound meaning "to lie dead" and "offering to the Gods".
Everything except that website seems to prefer the idea that it's a version of Lactodurum (probably Towcester)... The site thinks this is 'probably wrong' but doesn't say why...
And why would a place in Britain be named after a combination of Latin and Greek words? Even if the word made sense, a Roman memorial wouldn't be 'offering' dead people to the gods!
The suggested etymology is wholly unconvincing in my opinion. Neither of the words supposed to make it up need bear the interpretation put upon them, even if it is legitimate to combine Latin and Greek to give a name to a site in Britain. You have only to follow the links on the website to find that iaceo has numerous meanings, of which 'to lie dead' is only one, and thulēma means 'an offering' but not necessarily to the gods. I suspect that the author of the website was so hung up on this cod etymology that he had to reject Iaciodulma as a corruption of Lactodoro or Lactodurum because Towcester does not conform to the topography of the battle-site.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)