λάρναξ

Ancient Greek

Alternative forms
  • νάρναξ (nárnax)

Etymology

Unknown. The suffix "-ακ-" is seen in other instrument names like πίναξ (pínax), κάμαξ (kámax), δίφραξ (díphrax). According to Beekes, this suffix is typical of Pre-Greek, as is also the cluster -ρν-.[1][2] He considers νάρναξ (nárnax) a variant of this word, explaining the intial consonant from dissimilation (l-r > n-r).

Likely related to Etruscan 𐌋𐌀𐌓𐌍𐌀𐌑 (larnaś), suggested to have been borrowed from Greek, if it denotes a type of vessel.[3][4]

Pronunciation
 

Noun

λάρναξ • (lárnax) f (genitive λάρνακος); third declension

  1. coffer, box, chest
    • 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 18.412–413:
      φύσας μέν ῥ’ ἀπάνευθε τίθει πυρός, ὅπλά τε πάντα
      λάρνακ’ ἐς ἀργυρέην συλλέξατο, τοῖς ἐπονεῖτο·
      phúsas mén rh’ apáneuthe títhei purós, hóplá te pánta
      lárnak’ es arguréēn sulléxato, toîs eponeîto;
      The bellows he placed away from the fire, and all his tools
      he gathered into a silver box, those with which he worked.
  2. cinerary urn, coffin, larnax
    • 800 BCE – 600 BCE, Homer, Iliad 24.795:
      καὶ τά γε χρυσείην ἐς λάρνακα θῆκαν ἑλόντες.
      kaì tá ge khruseíēn es lárnaka thêkan helóntes.
      And them [i.e. the bones] they put into a golden urn, having carried them.
  3. bathtub

Declension

Lua error: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value)

Derived terms
  • λαρνάκιον (larnákion)
  • λαρνακοφθόρος (larnakophthóros)

Descendants

References
  1. Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010), “λάρναξ, -ᾱκος”, in Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, pages 834–835
  2. Beekes, Robert S. P. (2014), Stefan Norbruis, editor, Pre-Greek: Phonology, Morphology, Lexicon, Leiden: Brill, →ISBN
  3. Bellelli, Vincenzo; Benelli, Enrico (2009), “Un settore “specializzato” del lessico etrusco: una messa a punto sui nomi di vasi”, in Mediterranea, volume 6, page 140 of 139–152
  4. Perkins, Phil (2020), “The Etruscan pithos revolution”, in Making Cities, Cambridge: McDonald Institute

Further reading
  • “λάρναξ”, in Liddell & Scott (1940) A Greek–English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010) Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10), with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN
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