Amerias

Amerias (Greek: Ἀμερίας, 3rd century BC) was an ancient Macedonian lexicographer, known for his compilation of a Glossary entitled (Γλῶσσαι "Glossai terms,words"). Αnother of his works was called Ῥιζοτομικός, "Rhizotomikos (ῥίζα + τέμνειν - rhiza + temnein, root-cutting)", an etymological treatise.

Words of Amerias have survived in the writings of Hesychius and Athenaeus.

From the titles and the wording of Athenaeus, it is evident that Amerias did not write an exclusively Macedonian dictionary. He included in his "Glossai" a Homeric vocabulary as well, as most of the Alexandrian grammarians. The only marked Macedonian term, given by Hesychius, is "sauadai, saudoi, silenoi". Athenaeus calls him many times Amerias the Macedonian but it is Seleucus of Alexandria, who is quoted with the Macedonian bread "dramis", while Amerias in the same chapter (3.114b) is quoted with the bread "ξηροπυρίτας, xeropyritas". The suffix -as indicates a Doric word, as "badas" and "rhappaulas" but they are not reported as Macedonian; they may be, they may be not. Words that resemble the Hesychius Macedonian sound-law are: "badas" (Attic "batalos"), "kalithos" (Attic "khalis"), "grabion" and "kalarrhugai", while "Bathale", "pekhari", "scheron", "tetholos", "hyphainein", as well the suffix "-thos" of "kalithos", contradict it.

In any case, since Amerias is the only ancient proper Grammarian/Lexicographer, who is quoted as Macedonian, his Glossary is regarded generally as Macedonian at least of 4th-3rd century BC.

Glossary

*Polytonic|βαδάς " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2318978 badas] " "cinaedus, gay male" (Attic [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2319606 batalos] ) (probably related to Tarantinian [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2319608 batas] sloping, going down).
*Polytonic|Βαθάλη "Bathale" name of fountain (Greek βαθύ - bathu "deep" + suffix -αλ-, or less probably ἅλλομαι - hallomai ("cf". ἅλσις - halsis "spring, jump") or ἅλς (ἁλός) - hals (halos) "sea"); its relation to βαθύαλος - bathyalos "deep sea" Bathyal zone is obscure.
*Polytonic|βαυβυκάν "baubukan" (Attic πελεκάν "pelekan" pelican) (Philitas of Cos βαίβυκος - baibukos "pelican") (Greek [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2319653 bau] wow, βυκανάω [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2321209 bukanao] blow the trumpet bukane). Homeric [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2321216 βυκτάων/buktaôn] "Ι swell, Ι blow". "Pelekan" is probably related to [http://books.google.com/books?q=pelekan+pelekys&btnG=Search+Books πέλεκυς/pelekys] "axe".
*Polytonic|γράβιον [Athenaeus -Deipnosophists [http://books.google.com/books?id=g98IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA1118&dq=Amerias+words#PPA1118,M1 15.57] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2322727 grabion] " torch (already used by Strattis in his Phoenissae) (PIE *grabh-, "hornbeam", Umbrian "Grabovius" an oak-god, etymologically linked by LSJ and Pokorny to Attic κράβ(β)ατος " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2359562 krabbatos] " "couch, bed", Latin "grabātus" - which LSJ derives from Macedonian - hence modern Greek κρεβάτι "kreváti" "bed"). Quoted also by Theodoridas of Syracuse and Seleucus of Alexandria.
*Polytonic|ἐλάνη [Athenaeus - Deipnosophists by Charles Burton Gulick [http://books.google.com/books?id=kpArAAAAMAAJ&q=amerias++helane&dq=amerias++helane&pgis=1] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2333405 helane] " torch (Greek hele "light, brightness"fact|date=October 2008, Helios "Sun"). Quoted also by Nicander of Colophon.
*Polytonic|ἐπήβολος " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2338956 ἐπηβολός/epêbolos] " "in possession of", Homeric β 319. Amerias "safe". Macedonian parembole "barracks". (Schol Apoll. Rhod. II 1280).
*Polytonic|ἕρκιται [Athenaeus - Deipnosophists, [http://www.attalus.org/old/athenaeus6d.html 6.267] -Greek and Roman Slavery by Thomas Wiedemann [http://books.google.com/books?id=drrH_u-Vvu8C&pg=PA87&dq=herkitai&sig=S39TVk1qfpM_aS9PVEajXJWhLHU#PPA88,M1] ] "herkitai" "field slaves" (Greek [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2342577 ἕρκος("n".)/herkos] "fence, enclosure", "cf". εἱρκτή - heirkte "jail").
*Polytonic|ἐρίνακαι [Athenaeus Deipnosophists [http://books.google.com/books?id=A0_lgVLT0lsC&pg=PA129&dq=Amerias+words 3.10] ] "erinakai" wild figs (Attic ἐρινός erinos wild fig [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2342477 erineos] , ἐρινεός "wild fig-tree") (also, ἐρινάδες - "erinades")
*Polytonic|εὔκονος [Athenaeus-Deipnosophists [http://books.google.com/books?id=A0_lgVLT0lsC&pg=PA189&dq=euconon 3.81 3.114e] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2344284 eukonos] " "branned bread" probably from "εὖ/eu + [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2358903 κόνις/konis] "good dust". Quoted also by Timachidas of Rhodes.
*Polytonic|ζακελτίδες [Athenaeus Deipnosophists - [http://www.attalus.org/old/athenaeus9.html 9.369] ] "zakeltides" "gourds", (Boeotian: [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2346140 zekeltides] turnips by Nicander) (Phrygian zelkia "vegetables"). Quoted also by Timachidas of Rhodes.
*Polytonic|καλαῤῥυγαί " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2352555 kalarrhugai] " "ditches, trenches" (Laconian καλαρῖνες [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2352553 kalarines] sewers) (Ambraciote καλαῤῥύα kalarrhua ditch) [Parmenion of Byzantium -Die Makedonen: Ihre Sprache und ihr Volkstum by Otto Hoffmann [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lq2cyDw2TZ8C&pg=PA263&dq=%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%8D%CE%B1&sig=31ocr3Hyc4A1TiA_47k5rv81_ik#PPA262,M1] ] (Homeric [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%232872 ἀκαλαρρείτης/akalarrheitês] "soft-flowing").
*Polytonic|κάλιθος "kalithos" "wine" (Greek; χάλις [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23113021 χάλις/chalis] "unmixed wine").
*Polytonic|καμαστίς "kamastis" type of measurement (Greek κάμαξ [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2352916 kamax] "vine pole, shaft, wooden lance") Aeolic: [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2352988 κάμμαρψις/kammarpsis] "measurement for wheat, food"; half-medimnos.
*Polytonic|κλίσιον " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2357971 klision] " "outbuildings round a [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2357966 klisia] place for lying down or reclining". Amerias [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2390181 προστῷον/prostoon] Portico.
*Polytonic|λισσός " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2363601 lissos] " smooth.EM Amerias "lissos" "high". Cretan [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2364273 lyttos] high, tall Cretan cities Lissos and Lyttos.
*Polytonic|λυχνίς [Athenaeus Deipnosophists [http://books.google.com/books?id=g98IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA1089&dq=lychnis+Amerias+Cutting+up+Roots 15.681f] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2364293 luchnis] " Lychnis "species of flowering plants". [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2364311 λύχνος/lychnos] "light, lamp". Word in "Rhizotomikos" of Amerias.
*Polytonic|ξηροπυρίτας [Athenaeus-Deipnosophists- [http://books.google.com/books?id=8N61u4keJX0C&pg=PA41&dq=dramis+daratos+xeropurite+Amerias&sig=atUTI-o-Ku6dU70bXdhQol7Ko_Q 3.81 3.114e] ] "xeropyritas" "whole-wheat bread" (Greek [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0058%3Aentry%3D%2322528 ξηρός/xeros] + [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2391801 πυρός/pyros] "dry wheat". Quoted also by Timachidas of Rhodes.
*Polytonic|πέχαρι "pechari" "deer" (Laconian [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2319826 βέρκιος/berkios] ) (Attic ἔλαφος elaphos) (probably related to Greek φεύγειν - pheugein, Lithuanian begti "run").
*Polytonic|πίγγα "pinga" owl, πίγγαν pingan (masculine) "owlet" (Greek σπίγγος, spingos "finch").
*Polytonic|ῥάππαυλας [Athenaeus: Deipnosophists- [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%28%CE%BA%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%B9%29+calamaules%2C+so+also+they+call+them+now+rappaules%2C+according+to+the+statement+of+Amerias+the+Macedonian%2C+in+his+Dialects.&btnG=Search 4.176] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2392177 rhappaulas] " "flautist, auletes, calamaules" (Greek rhappa [Greek Musical Writings by Andrew Barker [http://books.google.com/books?um=1&q=rhappa+orophos+donax+kalamos++reed&btnG=Search+Books] ] (reed) + aulos).
*Polytonic|σαυᾶδαι, Polytonic|σαῦδοι " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2393439 sauâdai, sâudoi] " Macedonian word for Silenoi (Thraco-Phrygian God Sabazios), (Upper Macedonian eponym "Sabattaras" father of Machatas).
*Polytonic|σαυτορία " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2393466 sautoria] " "salvation" (Greek Sotêria) Homeric, Aeolic σάω - "saoô,saô" "save" [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2393491 saôtôr] "savior".
*Polytonic|σμώγη "smoge" Viper's Bugloss βούγλωσσον - bouglosson or the fish [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2320509 bouglossos] (Attic σμώγη - smoge "drop, vicissitude", σμώγω - smogo "to strike" [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2395532 smogeron] painful).
*Polytonic|σχερόν "scheron" "ready wave(?)" (κῦμα ἕτοιμον) (Greek σχερός [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23101840 scheros] coast, beach) (ἐν σχερῷ "en scherôi" "in a line") (Scheria Corfu island).
*Polytonic|ταῦροι [Athenaeus Deipnosophists [http://www.attalus.org/old/athenaeus10.html 10 425c] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23102590 tauroi] " (Greek ταύροι tavroi "bulls") (Ephesian word, the youths who acted as cupbearers at the local festival of Poseidon).
*Polytonic|τεθολώς " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23102777 tetholos] " "filled, stuffed" (Greek " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2347793 thaleros] " "buxom, blooming" or " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2348947 θολόω/tholoô] " (passive participle τεθολωμένος (tetholomenos), [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2348936 tholeros] "dense, dim, confused, muddy") (probably unrelated to θόλος - tholos "dome").
*Polytonic|τιτύρινος [The Learned Banqueters by Athenaeus [http://books.google.com/books?id=8N61u4keJX0C&pg=PA351&dq=Athenaeus+Amerias&sig=VJNHwYxlDNW8wuSvnKsCGj40btE#PPA348,M1 4.176] ] " [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23104103 tityrinos] " "single pipe" (Attic μόναυλος - monaulos) Tityros the Doric word for Satyr. [Tityri (Τίτυροι): "flute-playing satyrs"; [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Doric+Satyroi+Tityroi&btnG=Search www.theoi.com] , ]
*Polytonic|ὑφαίνειν "hyphainein" "to ignite, burn" (ὑφᾶται "it is burnt") (Greek [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23109780 hyphainein] "to weave"; its relation with ὑφάπτειν [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%23109809 hyphaptein] "to burn" is obscure).

References

* [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0151.html Amerias] Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lq2cyDw2TZ8C&pg=PA5&dq=%CE%A1%CE%B9%CE%B6%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD&sig=A9ZTWHDHM7aqUeTtlR8D0m2TwQs#PPA2,M1 Amerias der Makedone by Otto Hoffmann]
*Hesychius of Alexandria
*LSJ A Greek-English Lexicon

ee also

Ancient Macedonian language