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Document Details : Title: Greek Polytheophoric Names Subtitle: An Onomastic Fashion of Roman Egypt Author(s): BENAISSA, Amin Journal: Ancient Society Volume: 39 Date: 2009 Pages: 71-97 DOI: 10.2143/AS.39.0.2042606 Abstract : Greek personal names joining the names of two deities (e.g. Hermeracles) have long been known to be characteristic of Roman Egypt, but have never been studied comprehensively. This article offers an overview of the formation, variety and distribution of these ‘polytheophoric’ names, an exploration of their relation to traditional Greek and Egyptian onomastic practice, and some remarks on their socio-religious significance. It emerges that such names were popular especially between the second and the fourth centuries, followed regional preferences, and reflect an elite milieu in the metropoleis of Roman Egypt grounded in Hellenistic interpretations of Egyptian religion. A list of polytheophoric names preserved in documentary papyri and inscriptions (excluding names in -άμμων) is appended. |
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