Expert: Maria - 1/24/2011

Question
Dear Maria,

Hello... I am from Turkey and an admirer of the ancient greek culture. I have two quick queries from you:

1] How do you say "Little Owl" (scientific Latin name: ATHENE NOCTUA) in Ancient Greek?

2] How do you say "OWL" in generic name in Ancient Greek?

Appreciate if you write them in Latin alphabet, for I cannot read the Greek letters.

Many many thanks in advance and kind regards,

Samil Turnali

Answer
Hello,

Glad to help you. So, both "Little Owl" (scientific Latin name: ATHENE NOCTUA)  and "OWL" as a generic name correspond to the following ancient Greek noun:

-“Gláux” (Latin transliteration), i.e. γλαῦξ in ancient Greek letters.

Note that “Gláux” (the owl/ little owl)  is  the nominative case of a feminine noun belonging to the 3rd.declension.
Its genitive case is “glaukós” (of the owl). Its dative case is “glaukí”, etc.

The owl was sacred to Athena ( Greek, Ἀθήνη transliterated as  “Athéne”), the goddess of wisdom, warlike prowess and skill in the arts, often called “Pallŕs Athéne”  (Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη)  as the patron of the city of Athens.

Finally I have to tell you that the owl was  called “Gláux” from its glaring/gleaming eyes.
[See the adjective "glaukós" (γλαυκός) just meaning "gleaming"].

 
Best regards,
Maria