Ἀφροδίτη
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Ancient Greek[edit]
Etymology[edit]
The theonym is found in Homer and Hesiod (ca. 8th century BC). Apparently it is a compound ἀφρο-δίτη, and the traditional explanation connects the first part with ἀφρός "foam". There is no etymology generally accepted in scholarship. Some propose that the name in its entirety is a loan from a non-Greek language. An interesting fact is that the same name is found in Albanian Afërdita, a compound of afër 'near' and ditë 'day', a clear referrence to Venus or "the morning star". The relation to the Greek name though is unclear. Others propose a Greek etymology. The latter usually connect the -δίτη with the verb δέατο, "(to shine,) to appear, seem" (Homeric δῆλος "visible, conspicuous, clear") and interpret the name as originating as a title of the dawn goddess.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (5th BC Attic): IPA: /apʰrodi͜ítɛ͜ɛ/
- (1st BC Egyptian): IPA: /apʰrodíːteː/
- (4th AD Koine): IPA: /aɸroðíti/
- (10th AD Byzantine): IPA: /afroðíti/
- (15th AD Constantinopolitan): IPA: /afɾoðíti/
Proper noun[edit]
Ἀφροδίτη (genitive Ἀφροδίτης) f, first declension; (Aphrodītē)
