Ex oriente lux : su alcuni contributi armeni alla lessicologia colta greca nell'ambito della Yownaban Dproc‘ o Scuola Ellenistica

Abstract

Ancient Armenian versions of Greek texts make systematic use of lexical calques which provide matter for etymological researches. The Armenian version (V-VIth Cent. A.D.) of the 'Dionisian' Techne directs to disavow the vulgate etymology of Gr. elegeia, to confirm the more reliable one of Gr. komodia, and even to discover the correct one of Gr. tragodia (Arm. olbergowt'iwn). In this paper, after an innovatory analysis on historical-comparative grounds, the original meaning of Gr. tragodia is shown to be: "voice (Gr. ode / Arm. erg) of the lacerating intimate worry (Gr. trag- / Arm. olb-)" (cfr. Gr. e-trag-o-n, trog-o "to devour", Arm. t'owrc "mandible").