Trebopala Explained

Trebopala is a Lusitanian name usually interpreted as a theonym, appearing on the Cabeço das Fraguas inscription from Portugal. Trebopala is probably a goddess.

Meaning of the name

Although the name Trebopala appears in only a single inscription, it is of interest because this inscription is in the Lusitanian language rather than in a Latin dedication. It is generally thought the first element is a Celtic one, *trebo- (or a cognate with it) meaning a house or dwelling place. The second element is interpreted either as "protector",[1] or as the attested Lepontic/Ligurian word pala, probably meaning a sacred stone,[2] or as "flat land."[3] Trebopala is therefore said to mean either Protector of the Home, Plain of the Home or Altar of the Home. In the inscription, Trebopala is recorded as receiving a single sheep (oilam).

See also

Notes and References

  1. On the Indo-European Origin of Two Lusitanian Theonyms (Laebo and Reve), Krzysztof Tomasz Witczak, Łódz (1999)
  2. La inscripción del Cabeço das Fráguas y la lengua de los Lusitanos, Antonio Tovar (1980)
  3. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/celtic/ekeltoi/volumes/vol6/6_3/gonzalez_ruibal_6_3.html E-Keltoi Journal of Interdisciplinary Celtic Studies Vol. 6