1 Jun 2011

The Etruscan name Ramnuna

In inscription ET Vs 1.60, we find a name written out as Ramnunas. This is the Etruscan genitive of Ramnuna used as a male praenomen in this inscription. This is probably a reduction of earlier *Ramniiuna composed of *Ramniiu and the pertinentive suffix -na commonly used among other things to form family names.

At that, we can turn our attention to the Roman nomen Ramnius, likely the ultimate source of the Etruscan name. Ramnius may mean 'of the Ramnes' and the Ramnes were an ancient Italic tribe said to have been instrumental in the initial founding of Rome.

3 comments:

  1. I don't know where else to ask this, so I'm going to risk anathema by bringing up an irrelevant topic.

    While re-reading Fortson's Indo-European Language and Culture, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the etymology given for "clan", i.e. coming from Latin planta. Looking at the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=clan), I can see some connected words, and it seems plausible, but the similarity to Etruscan clan still bothers me.
    Please tell me - is there basis to my worry, or am I barking up the wrong (family) tree?

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  2. Seadog Driftwood:
    The main issue I see with linking Etruscan clan with Gaelic clann is the fact the link with Latin planta explains Middle Welsh plant as well as the final d in Old Irish cland. If you're suggesting a link with Etruscan clan you have to explain where both the p in Middle Welsh and the final coronal plosive in Middle Welsh and Gaelic came from.

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  3. Silly me, I'm writing a response to Seadog Driftwood right now and I noticed that my arguments are identical to Ketsuban's! I'll save my fingers. ;o)

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