Homer (not Simpson)
Today we started a new read-aloud book, The Illiad. Or rather, a version of the Illiad that is made for young kiddos. It is published by Kingfisher and lives up to the quality of their other books.
As I started reading it RocketMan was sitting in his chair doing a coloring page. However, as we got further into the chapter he kept getting closer and closer to me as he was wound up deeper into the story. By the end of the first chapter he was sitting in my lap in rapt attention. What a wonderful version of this classic story!
GooseyGirl's eyes started dancing when the book introduced us to Paris, Prince of Troy. She said, "Momma, that's how they got the name for that French city... from the Greeks!"
Does anyone know if that is true? I told her I'd have to look it up because I have absolutely no idea if the two are linked.
UPDATE: This is a quote from Story of the World Volume 2 "The land of Gaul, just north of the Mediterranean Sea, was invaded by barbarians called the Franks. THe Franks were made up of several different tribes. And they didn't regard themselves as barbarians. As a matter of fact, they claimed they were descended from the ancient inhabitants of the great city of Troy." However, the city is named after Gallic tribe called the Parisii. They lived there 3rd century BC. Ahhh.... now we can sleep tonight. But it is a cool little connection isn't it?
1 comment:
According to "The Free Dictionary",
"The original Latin name of Paris was Lutetia (/lutetja/), or Lutetia Parisiorum, known in French as Lutèce (/lytɛs/). Lutetia was later dropped in favor of only Paris, based on the name of the Gallic Parisi tribe, whose name perhaps comes from the Celtic Gallic word parios, meaning "caldron", but this is not certain.
"Traditionally Paris was known as Paname (/panam/) in French slang, but this vulgar appellation is gradually losing currency."
Still, I give E credit for her excellent observation. (Dare I note the other Paris France Paris Greece connection in the tabloids every week, i.e. Paris Hilton and her ex-fiance Paris Greek-souding-name-eopolis?) Also, isn't Paname the name of Darth Vader's girlfriend in Star Wars?
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