𐎶𐎦𐎢𐏁

Old Persian

Etymology

Generally assumed to be borrowed from Old Median (only found as a title? of persons that are also identified as Mede). Cognate of Avestan 𐬨𐬊𐬖𐬎 (moγu) but probably not of Avestan 𐬨𐬀𐬔𐬀 (maga) (cognate with Sanskrit मघ (magha, “gift”)). Crucially, Middle Persian 𐭬𐭢𐭥𐭯𐭲 (mowbed, “Mazdean priest”) does not descend from Old Persian/Median magu-.

Proper noun

𐎶𐎦𐎢𐏁 (Maguš)

1. (magūš) It is a hapax legomenon known only from the Behistun inscription where it is used as a title (?) of persons. Sometimes said to be the term for a Zoroastrian priest, or for a magician, or for a sub-tribe of the Medes; these interpretations are formed by Greek Μάγος and μάγος.

Descendants

• → Ancient Greek: Μάγος (Mágos)

See also

• 𐎶𐎦𐏁 (maguš, “priest”)