Greek and Roman Kinship Terminology

Abstract

The article presents the lexical variety of terms defining the degrees of kinship, as well as the syntactic methods of its expression in Latin and Ancient Greek. The three basic methods defining the degrees of kinship found in ancient texts are the syntax of genitive originis, genitive possesoris and the word-formation (lexical method). The first two are the simplest methods of describing kinship and are based on complement syntax. The third of these methods, the lexical method, is closely related to Athenian and Roman legislation, which required more precise determination of affinity in the context of the widely understood inheritance – the Greek anchisteía and the Roman hereditas. The article presents the differences between Latin and Greek vocabulary as well as their wealth of meanings. The author also draws attention to the etymology of selected words, which formed the core for the creation of new words.