Chaedini: Difference between revisions
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The '''Chaedini''' (Latinized form) or '''Chaideinoi''' or '''Khaideinoi''' (Greek forms) |
The '''Chaedini''' (Latinized form) or '''Chaideinoi''' or '''Khaideinoi''' (Greek forms) were a [[Germanic people]] that are listed only in the Geography of [[Ptolemy]]. He locates them in the west of a large island, [[Scandia]], off the mouth of the [[Vistula]] river. Most scholars concur that Scandinavia is meant. |
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==Etymology== |
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A strong etymology of the word is summarized in the [[American Heritage Dictionary]] under ''heath''. Chaideinoi is identical in form to its English relative, heathen; that is, [[Proto-Indo-European language| Indoeuropean]] *kaito-, "forest, uncultivated land" becomes [[Proto-Germanic| common Germanic]] *[[xaiþiz]], appearing in *xaiþinaz, "people of the uncultivated land". The exact pronunciation of Chaidein- is not certain, but it must have been close to *xaiþin-; that is, Ptolemy's name is close to common Germanic, even though its exact dating is unknown. It likely precedes Ptolemy, as he depended on previous sources. |
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Common Germanic * |
Common Germanic *xaiþ- becomes Hed- in the Scandinavian languages. Possible locations of the Chaideinoi have therefore been proposed at [[Hedemark]] in [[Norway]] or, if the east of Scandia is actually [[Finland]], in [[Dalarna]] and [[Gästrikland]] of [[Sweden]], both of which regions contain a high concentration of Hed- names. |
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The descriptive nature of the name |
The descriptive nature of the name provides a clue as why they do not appear in such strong sources as [[Tacitus]]. They must have had one or more other names, reflecting ethnic or political organization. As used, Chaideinoi would be synonymous with a possible meaning of [[Mannaz|*mannaz]] as "country people" (see also [[mannus]]). |
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==See also== |
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As used, Chaideinoi would be synonymous with a possible meaning of [[Mannaz|*mannaz]] as "country people" (see also [[mannus]]. One might hypothesize that the more urbane people of Sweden wished to call their rustic countrymen (who did not actually live on uncultivated land) by their more general and ancient name, but did not apply "men", as they themselves still considered themselves "men". They therefore devised a synonym, which makes the desired discrimination but retains the ancient meaning; however, such a view is speculative. |
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{{clear}} |
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==References== |
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<references /> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/history_viking/019.php Northvegr - A History of the Vikings] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050905153320/http://www.northvegr.org/lore/history_viking/019.php Northvegr - A History of the Vikings] |
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* [http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE199.html *kaito-] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051211060838/http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE199.html *kaito-] |
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{{Germanic peoples}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Early Germanic peoples]] |
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[[Category:Ancient Roman contacts]] |
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[[Category:Ethnic groups in Europe]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:36, 13 December 2021
The Chaedini (Latinized form) or Chaideinoi or Khaideinoi (Greek forms) were a Germanic people that are listed only in the Geography of Ptolemy. He locates them in the west of a large island, Scandia, off the mouth of the Vistula river. Most scholars concur that Scandinavia is meant.
Etymology[edit]
A strong etymology of the word is summarized in the American Heritage Dictionary under heath. Chaideinoi is identical in form to its English relative, heathen; that is, Indoeuropean *kaito-, "forest, uncultivated land" becomes common Germanic *xaiþiz, appearing in *xaiþinaz, "people of the uncultivated land". The exact pronunciation of Chaidein- is not certain, but it must have been close to *xaiþin-; that is, Ptolemy's name is close to common Germanic, even though its exact dating is unknown. It likely precedes Ptolemy, as he depended on previous sources.
Common Germanic *xaiþ- becomes Hed- in the Scandinavian languages. Possible locations of the Chaideinoi have therefore been proposed at Hedemark in Norway or, if the east of Scandia is actually Finland, in Dalarna and Gästrikland of Sweden, both of which regions contain a high concentration of Hed- names.
The descriptive nature of the name provides a clue as why they do not appear in such strong sources as Tacitus. They must have had one or more other names, reflecting ethnic or political organization. As used, Chaideinoi would be synonymous with a possible meaning of *mannaz as "country people" (see also mannus).
See also[edit]
References[edit]
