Palus / Palinurus?

[David / Amicus]

I was wondering if there might be a connection between "palus" (whether
2nd or 3rd declension) and the name of Aeneas' pilot Palinurus.

[Johannes Patruus]

On 28/08/2012 22:04, David / Amicus wrote:
> I was wondering if there might be a connection between "palus" (whether
> 2nd or 3rd declension) and the name of Aeneas' pilot Palinurus.

It would appear that "Palinurus" is a direct carry-over from Greek -
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3DPalinurus

I have no other information.

Patruus

[Ed Cryer]

That claim of it being from "πάλιν οὐρεῖν" (palin ourein, iterum meiere)
is pure jest in Martial's poem.
Palinurus doesn't appear in Homer.

"From the high point on Capo Palinuro, one gets a superb view of the
coastline of Il Cilento. Toward the north, one sees the town of Palinuro
tucked into the "elbow" of the "arm" formed by the cape, and then the
long stretches of sandy beaches that lie between Palinuro and the
mountains that drop down to the sea. Toward the south one sees the high
cliffs that border the sea between Capo Palinuro and Marina di Camerota.
Viewing that terrain, one can imagine the sighs of relief expelled by
the ancient sailors who had safely passed that stretch of cliffs and the
cape to pull into the well protected landing place at the town of Palinuro."
http://www.sersale.org/mancuso/cilenvis.html

No mention of swampy land in the area (nor of stakes either).
Vergil's account of Palinurus seems modelled on that of Menelaus'
helmsman Phrontes in Homer's Odyssey book 3.

Ed

[Ed Cryer]

This is Martial's little gem

Minxisti currente semel, Pauline, carina.
Meiere uis iterum? Iam Palinurus eris.

(You've peed once, Paulinus, while the keel's running. Do you want to
pee again? You'll be Palinurus then.)

Ed

[David / Amicus]

Thanks all!