Matovion
Attested: Matovion at position 207 in the Ravenna Cosmography, marginally preferable to Matonion as a reading of all three manuscripts
Where: Most likely the Roman fort in a strong position between the river Almond and an inflowing stream plus swamp at Fendoch, Perthshire, NN91962830.
Name origin: The first element might be related to Greek ματαω ‘to loiter’. A sense of ‘aimless’ or ‘vain’, as used in the Bible, might suit how the river Almond has here just crossed the Highland Boundary Fault and stopped tumbling downhill and started wandering across a plain. If the ending was -ovion it could resemble the *upa/*oba ‘water, river’ element discussed here; if it was -onion that could be related to the common *-ona river name ending. As always, apparent ancient-Greekness might be a proxy for other ancient language(s) or it might imply influence of Greek speakers in Roman service, but the -on ending does hint that Cosmography here is following a Greek archetype.
Notes: Beware: a small change in logic could make a change in name-to-place assignments ripple through many forts in Scotland. The name origin suggested now overrules previous suggestions that the first element is related to PIE *mod- ‘to meet’ or to a Greek and Celtic word for ‘good’. Ptolemy reported a place Μαιτωνιον beside the river Τυρας (Dniester), which sounds very similar and adds to the list of ancient names in or near Ukraine that have parallels around Britain. The best attested parallel was ancient Matavo, discussed in detail here as lying close to modern Cabasse in the hills of Provence, which displays a clear topographical contrast between hills and plain.
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Last edited 22 April 2024 to main Menu