Bremia
Attested: Bremia at position 54 in the Ravenna Cosmography
Where: Possibly the Roman fort at Gelligaer at ST133971 on a ridge between the rivers Rhymney and Taff, near other Roman structures usually described as practice works, suggested by counting the known Roman forts from Caerleon to Kenchester.
Name origin: Brem- here (as also at Bremetenacum, Bremenium, and modern Bremen in Germany) seems most likely to come from PIE *bhrem- ‘brim, edge’. This could fit the suggested location at the edge of high ground. The other *bhrem- ‘to growl’ is also possible, through the Homeric meaning of βρεμω ‘to make the noise of clashing arms’, which could fit a site of fighting.
Notes: The Roman fort at Llanio, near Llandewi Brefi, has been suggested, upon the theory that Brem- in early names was related to Welsh brefu ‘to bray, to bleat’, related (by M/F consonant mutation) to the other meaning of βρεμω ‘to roar like an animal’, and appropriate to a river that is “turbulent and impetuous”, as Watson (1926) described the river Breamhainn/Braan in Scotland. Unfortunately the meandering river Teifi by the fort at Llanio, and its tributary the river Brefi a mile away, are fairly peaceful.
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Last edited 16 February 2023 To main Menu