The Encyclopaedic Meaning of <i>Erythros</i> in Koine Greek Toponyms. A Cognitive Approach to the Definition of the Ancient Colour Cardinal Points System

Summary The cartographic and historiographic traditions interpreting the Greek toponym Erythra Thalassa indicate this expression could designate several water basins in classical historiography, though it is usually rendered univocally as Red Sea. This research applies cognitive semantics to history of geography retrieve encyclopaedic meaning term erythros relation its dictionary “red”. Computationally generated lists frequency from about 50 ancient Latin oeuvres denote a predominant toponymic use fixed collocation conjunction with thalassa “sea”. Additional statistical data extrapolated Septuagint New Testament reveal tendency biblical tradition exclusively inflected form erythra fully collocations . paper finds out that specific shade red denoted by erythors has been used since seventh century BCE number other toponyms ethnonyms convey conceptual “southern”. To comparatively verify hypothesis, incorporating leukos – “white” or “western” are discussed their relative position oikumene. Based on comparative chronologies diatopic attestations phenomenon, hypothesis Turkic colour cardinal points system linguistic means was introduced Greece during period contact Scythe people proposed.