Leugosena
Attested: Leugosena at position 248 in the Ravenna Cosmography
Where: Probably the south-west end of the Menai Strait, around SH4562.
Name origin: About Leugo- see here, possibly referring to open sand flats there. The -sena part may be likened to Ptolemy's Σηνου name for the river Shannon and the final part of Raxtomessasenua (the Solent?), plus the English word sinew, from PIE *sei- ‘to bind’, and/or whatever root sinuous came from.
Notes: This location, in the approach to Roman Caernarfon, is the most likely among a dozen estuaries between Aberystwyth and Lancaster to fit Leugosena's position in the Cosmography's “harbour tour”. It has been much discussed with regard to the Roman army's conquest of Anglesey, for example here. Neither PIE *senə- ‘apart, separated’ nor *sen- ‘old’ now seem relevant.
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Last edited 5 October 2024 To main Menu