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ArchivesRe: whats the meaning?
in reply to a message by Cleveland Kent Evans
Actually it is the opposite, Alexandros is the masculine form of Alexandra. In Greek mythology, Alexandra was a major goddess of the Mycenaean times in Lakonia region (Sparta, Arcadia, etc.), worshipped greatly in Amyclas and Leuctra where the biggest of her temples were.
She often was represented holding a lyre. In later times she was often identified with Kassandra, daughter of Priamos of Troy.
The name compounds from the verb "Alexo", here used as "protecting" rather than "defending" and the noun "Andras", meaning man. So actually the meaning of the name is "protector of men".
References:
"Ogygia or Archaiology", Prof. Ath. Stageirites, Vienna, 1815
"Lexicon of the Ancient Mythological, Historical and Geographical Personal Names", N. Lorente, Vienna, 1837
"Homeric Lexicon", Prof. I. Pantazides, Athens, 1880
"Lexicon of the Ancient World, Greece-Rome" Vol.1., G.Lampsas, Ed. Dome
"From Gaia to Hypatia, the Greek Women of the Ancient World", ISBN: 960-316-288-4
She often was represented holding a lyre. In later times she was often identified with Kassandra, daughter of Priamos of Troy.
The name compounds from the verb "Alexo", here used as "protecting" rather than "defending" and the noun "Andras", meaning man. So actually the meaning of the name is "protector of men".
References:
"Ogygia or Archaiology", Prof. Ath. Stageirites, Vienna, 1815
"Lexicon of the Ancient Mythological, Historical and Geographical Personal Names", N. Lorente, Vienna, 1837
"Homeric Lexicon", Prof. I. Pantazides, Athens, 1880
"Lexicon of the Ancient World, Greece-Rome" Vol.1., G.Lampsas, Ed. Dome
"From Gaia to Hypatia, the Greek Women of the Ancient World", ISBN: 960-316-288-4
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Replies
Could it be the other way round again? This is at least what I found at wikipedia:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lykophron_aus_Chalkis
At the end it says: "It is unclear, why Lykophon called his character Alexandra." His work on Kassandra appeared in 283 BCE - well after Alexander the Great.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lykophron_aus_Chalkis
At the end it says: "It is unclear, why Lykophon called his character Alexandra." His work on Kassandra appeared in 283 BCE - well after Alexander the Great.
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I'm sorry, but I don't know, what you mean. My dictionary of Antiquity has four entries for "Pausanias". Two of those seem to have been writers: P. Periheget (2. cent. C.E.) and another P (also 2. cent C.E.). The other two were 5th cent B.C.E. Greek rulers and generals.
So who are you talking about? And what is the name of the book(s)?
So who are you talking about? And what is the name of the book(s)?
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Actually there was seven Pausanias:
1) Pausanias (the Periheget), 2nd cent. CE
2) Pausanias (the Spartan General), 5th cent. BCE
3) Pausanias (the Spartan King), 5th-4th cent. BCE
4) Pausanias (the Apollonian), 4th cent. BCE
5) Pausanias (the Sophist), 2nd cent. CE
6) Pausanias (the Lexicographer)
7) Pausanias (the Herakletist)
Here we talking about Pausanias Periheget, the famous geographer of the 2nd cent. CE and the third book "Lakonia" from his work "Description of Greece".
About Alexandra-Cassandra sanctuary at Amyclae: Paus. 3.19.6:
"Amyclae was laid waste by the Dorians, and since that time has remained a village; I found there a sanctuary and image of Alexandra worth seeing. Alexandra is said by the Amyclaeans to be Cassandra, the daughter of Priam. Here is also a statue of Clytaemnestra, together with what is supposed to be the tomb of Agamemnon. The natives worship the Amyclaean god and Dionysus, surnaming the latter, quite correctly I think, Psilax. For psila is Doric for wings, and wine uplifts men and lightens their spirit no less than wings do birds."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160&query=section%3D%23808
About name Alexandra given to Cassandra by people of Leuctra in Laconia: Paus. 3.26.5:
"Also a temple and statue have been erected to Cassandra the daughter of Priam, called Alexandra by the natives. There are wooden images of Apollo Carneius according to the same custom that prevails among the Lacedaemonians of Sparta. On the acropolis is a sanctuary and image of Athena, and there is a temple and grove of Eros in Leuctra. Water flows through the grove in winter-time, but the leaves which are shaken from the trees by the wind would not be carried away by the water even in flood."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Paus%2e+3%2e26%2e5
1) Pausanias (the Periheget), 2nd cent. CE
2) Pausanias (the Spartan General), 5th cent. BCE
3) Pausanias (the Spartan King), 5th-4th cent. BCE
4) Pausanias (the Apollonian), 4th cent. BCE
5) Pausanias (the Sophist), 2nd cent. CE
6) Pausanias (the Lexicographer)
7) Pausanias (the Herakletist)
Here we talking about Pausanias Periheget, the famous geographer of the 2nd cent. CE and the third book "Lakonia" from his work "Description of Greece".
About Alexandra-Cassandra sanctuary at Amyclae: Paus. 3.19.6:
"Amyclae was laid waste by the Dorians, and since that time has remained a village; I found there a sanctuary and image of Alexandra worth seeing. Alexandra is said by the Amyclaeans to be Cassandra, the daughter of Priam. Here is also a statue of Clytaemnestra, together with what is supposed to be the tomb of Agamemnon. The natives worship the Amyclaean god and Dionysus, surnaming the latter, quite correctly I think, Psilax. For psila is Doric for wings, and wine uplifts men and lightens their spirit no less than wings do birds."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160&query=section%3D%23808
About name Alexandra given to Cassandra by people of Leuctra in Laconia: Paus. 3.26.5:
"Also a temple and statue have been erected to Cassandra the daughter of Priam, called Alexandra by the natives. There are wooden images of Apollo Carneius according to the same custom that prevails among the Lacedaemonians of Sparta. On the acropolis is a sanctuary and image of Athena, and there is a temple and grove of Eros in Leuctra. Water flows through the grove in winter-time, but the leaves which are shaken from the trees by the wind would not be carried away by the water even in flood."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Paus%2e+3%2e26%2e5
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Thanks a lot for the quotations you give. This is intersting indeed. I'm far from being an expert on Greek history, so maybe others can make comments on Pausanias' credibility. To me this does not look like a first class proof for the existance of the name Alexandra centuries before Pausanias wrote this down. But I will try to collect some more information.
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Anyway, according to the book "From Gaia to Hypatia, Greek women of the Ancient World", Alexandra was worshipped in Lakonia long before she was identified with Kassandra. Unfortunately there are not any references to that on the book. Anyway I will try to get in contact with the authors about that. Please let me know if you do find more information, I'll appreciate it.
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Now this seems to be an interesting book you are referring to. Could you give us the quotation in question? What exactly does it say? Yes, too bad it doesn't give any references.
A friend of mine has access to "Paulys Realenzyklopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft". He promised me to look up ALEXANDRA. If there is any evidence for what you claim, here it will be found.
Pausanias obviously doesn't say anything more than he has found people worshipping a certain Alexandra (or knowing of her), who is in fact Cassandra. He dos not say, why they call her A. of from when on they have been doing so. So I would say, he is a bad witness in that respect.
A friend of mine has access to "Paulys Realenzyklopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft". He promised me to look up ALEXANDRA. If there is any evidence for what you claim, here it will be found.
Pausanias obviously doesn't say anything more than he has found people worshipping a certain Alexandra (or knowing of her), who is in fact Cassandra. He dos not say, why they call her A. of from when on they have been doing so. So I would say, he is a bad witness in that respect.
1
Sure, according to the book, ("From Gaia to Hypatia, the Greek Women of the Ancient World", ISBN: 960-316-288-4), there were 3 famous Alexandras:
" Alexandra:
1. Very old goddess of Lakonia. A temple as well as a statue of her was in Amycles and Leuktra. In later times she was identified with Cassandra who also was called Alexandra.
2. The second name of Priam's daughter Cassandra.
3. An artist from Sikyon, daughter of the great artist Nealkos."
Anyway, as I told you, I will try to get in contact with the authors for Alexandra 1. And please post a thread if you come up with something.
" Alexandra:
1. Very old goddess of Lakonia. A temple as well as a statue of her was in Amycles and Leuktra. In later times she was identified with Cassandra who also was called Alexandra.
2. The second name of Priam's daughter Cassandra.
3. An artist from Sikyon, daughter of the great artist Nealkos."
Anyway, as I told you, I will try to get in contact with the authors for Alexandra 1. And please post a thread if you come up with something.
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Ðïëý åíäéáöÝñïõóåò ðëçñïöïñßåò :)
1
Ellinka einai, egrapsa : "poly endiaferouses plhrofories".
Kalws hrthes sto forum , mexri twra eimoun h monh ellhniki fwnh :)
Kalws hrthes sto forum , mexri twra eimoun h monh ellhniki fwnh :)
1
Actually there was seven Pausanias:
1) Pausanias (the Periheget), 2nd cent. CE
2) Pausanias (the Spartan General), 5th cent. BCE
3) Pausanias (the Spartan King), 5th-4th cent. BCE
4) Pausanias (the Apollonian), 4th cent. BCE
5) Pausanias (the Sophist), 2nd cent. CE
6) Pausanias (the Lexicographer)
7) Pausanias (the Herakleitist)
Here we talking about Pausanias Periheget, the famous geographer of the 2nd cent. CE and the third book "Lakonia" from his work "Description of Greece".
About Alexandra-Cassandra sanctuary at Amyclae: Paus. 3.19.6:
"Amyclae was laid waste by the Dorians, and since that time has remained a village; I found there a sanctuary and image of Alexandra worth seeing. Alexandra is said by the Amyclaeans to be Cassandra, the daughter of Priam. Here is also a statue of Clytaemnestra, together with what is supposed to be the tomb of Agamemnon. The natives worship the Amyclaean god and Dionysus, surnaming the latter, quite correctly I think, Psilax. For psila is Doric for wings, and wine uplifts men and lightens their spirit no less than wings do birds."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160&query=section%3D%23808
About name Alexandra given to Cassandra by people of Leuctra in Laconia: Paus. 3.26.5:
"Also a temple and statue have been erected to Cassandra the daughter of Priam, called Alexandra by the natives. There are wooden images of Apollo Carneius according to the same custom that prevails among the Lacedaemonians of Sparta. On the acropolis is a sanctuary and image of Athena, and there is a temple and grove of Eros in Leuctra. Water flows through the grove in winter-time, but the leaves which are shaken from the trees by the wind would not be carried away by the water even in flood."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Paus%2e+3%2e26%2e5
1) Pausanias (the Periheget), 2nd cent. CE
2) Pausanias (the Spartan General), 5th cent. BCE
3) Pausanias (the Spartan King), 5th-4th cent. BCE
4) Pausanias (the Apollonian), 4th cent. BCE
5) Pausanias (the Sophist), 2nd cent. CE
6) Pausanias (the Lexicographer)
7) Pausanias (the Herakleitist)
Here we talking about Pausanias Periheget, the famous geographer of the 2nd cent. CE and the third book "Lakonia" from his work "Description of Greece".
About Alexandra-Cassandra sanctuary at Amyclae: Paus. 3.19.6:
"Amyclae was laid waste by the Dorians, and since that time has remained a village; I found there a sanctuary and image of Alexandra worth seeing. Alexandra is said by the Amyclaeans to be Cassandra, the daughter of Priam. Here is also a statue of Clytaemnestra, together with what is supposed to be the tomb of Agamemnon. The natives worship the Amyclaean god and Dionysus, surnaming the latter, quite correctly I think, Psilax. For psila is Doric for wings, and wine uplifts men and lightens their spirit no less than wings do birds."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160&query=section%3D%23808
About name Alexandra given to Cassandra by people of Leuctra in Laconia: Paus. 3.26.5:
"Also a temple and statue have been erected to Cassandra the daughter of Priam, called Alexandra by the natives. There are wooden images of Apollo Carneius according to the same custom that prevails among the Lacedaemonians of Sparta. On the acropolis is a sanctuary and image of Athena, and there is a temple and grove of Eros in Leuctra. Water flows through the grove in winter-time, but the leaves which are shaken from the trees by the wind would not be carried away by the water even in flood."
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Paus%2e+3%2e26%2e5
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That's interesting.
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