Ancient Greek edit

Etymology edit

Perhaps a borrowing of a Lydian word for “king” or a similar word in another language of Asia Minor.[1][2]

Compare Hittite [script needed] (šarawanaš), [script needed] (tarawanaš), Philistine 𐤈𐤓𐤍 (ṭrn, lord, ruler),[3] and Etruscan 𐌕𐌖𐌓𐌏𐌍 (turon, mistress, lady), a surname of Venus, which is probably related.[2]

Beekes argued for a Pre-Greek origin.

Pronunciation edit

 

Noun edit

τῠ́ρᾰννος (túrannosm or f (genitive τῠρᾰ́ννου); second declension

  1. absolute ruler (i.e. of gods, kings), initially applied to Lydian king Γύγης (Gúgēs)
  2. (with negative connotation) tyrant, dictator, despot

Inflection edit

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Coptic: ⲧⲩⲣⲁⲛⲟⲥ (turanos)
  • Latin: tyrannus (see there for further descendants)

Adjective edit

τῠ́ρᾰννος (túrannosm or f (neuter τῠ́ρᾰννον); second declension

  1. kingly, royal, regal
  2. imperious, despotic

Inflection edit

References edit

  1. ^ Gregory Nagy, Homer the Preclassic (→ISBN), page 363: Even the Greek usage of the word turannos 'tyrant' is relevant, since it represents the Lydian word for 'king'.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Douglas Harper (2001–2024), “tyrant”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
  3. ^ Nancy K. Sandars, The Sea Peoples: Warriors of the Ancient Mediterranean, 1250–1150 BC, Thames and Hudson, 1978

Greek edit

Noun edit

τύραννος (týrannosm (plural τύραννοι)

  1. tyrant
  2. (historical) tyrant (an absolute ruler in ancient Greece)

Declension edit

Synonyms edit

Related terms edit

Further reading edit