Anas
Attested: Anas at position 291 in the Ravenna Cosmography
Where: An island off west Scotland, most likely Canna, because the Cosmography appears here to be listing islands visited by Roman sailors travelling south from Skye (Magantia) past the Small Isles, and because Rum has a stronger claim on the Cosmography's name Cana.
Name Origin: Most likely from Latin anas ‘wild duck’, with cognates in many Indo-European languages.
Notes:. See here about Scottish island names in general. Richmond & Crawford drew attention to Irish án ‘drinking cup’, possibly related to anax mentioned by Gregory of Tours. Greek αναξ ‘lord’ and/or ανασσα ‘lady’ might suit the residence of a chieftain (a sort of precursor of the later Lord of the Isles) or the title of a god(dess). There is a possible precedent in Balcia in ancient sources (most likely Heligoland), which was possibly mangled from Βασιλεια ‘queen’ Many islands were perceived as holy, including Atina nearby and Minerve some way south.
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Last edited 23 November 2021 To main Menu