Cicutio
Attested: Cicutio at position 56 in the Ravenna Cosmography
Where: Brecon Roman fort at SO003297.
Name origin: Greek κικυς ‘strength;’ obviously fits one of the largest Roman forts in Wales, and a parallel in the next name in the Cosmography, Magnis, in referring to the projection of Roman power.. It has no known etymology and only one clear descendant, Latin cicuta ‘water hemlock, dropwort’, Britain's most poisonous plant.
Notes: Cicuta was well known as a poison in the ancient world, perhaps best from the death of Socrates. It has cognates in English kex, Russian цикута, and Welsh cegid, which shows up in later place names across Wales, often spelled cegyr.
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Last edited 16 February 2023 To main Menu