Viae Maiores - Megaloi Hodoi?

**Maion Maroneios** · 11-23-2008, 13:42

Hmmm, here in Greece we have Ethnikoi Hodoi (Εθνικοι Οδοι), which means Natiolal Roads. So I guess it should be Megaloi but I can't be 100% sure. I know Hodos (Road) is feminine and Megalos (Great) is masculine, but we'll have to wait for keravnos to be sure.

*Sits patiently and waits for keravnos to come by*

Maion

**abou** · 11-23-2008, 15:41

Hodos is feminine. Don't confused modern Greek with ancient. Several nouns that are part of the omikron-sigma declension are feminine such as Aigyptos and other place names.

**Maion Maroneios** · 11-23-2008, 19:52

I don't confuse them. You see, Hodos is still feminine. I also know that, in ancient Greek, feminine and masculine nouns that end with -os, have the same masculine declension in the first plural form. That is, the -oi ending. Or maybe I don't remember my ancient Greek classes all too well...

Maion

**abou** · 11-23-2008, 20:12

Yes, but adjectives agree in case, number, and gender, but not ending. Hence, megaloi hodoi would be incorrect as far as ancient Greek is concerned.

**gamegeek2** · 11-23-2008, 23:34

Then why is it "Hamaxitoi Hodoi" ingame?

**keravnos** · 11-23-2008, 23:38

Because "Hamaxoitos(singular) Hamaxitoi(plural)" is the form used by both male and female adjective in Ancient Greek.

Now, back to Viae maiores, that means "bigger or superior" roads, not big roads or "Viae Magnae".
In essence the Greek word for that would be "Hodoi Hyperterai" (=superior roads) or "Hodoi Beltiones".

**Maion Maroneios** · 11-24-2008, 00:25

Originally Posted by keravnos

Because "Hamaxoitos(singular) Hamaxitoi(plural)" is the form used by both male and female adjective in Ancient Greek.

Yay, I do remember something from my classes! Anyway, thanks for the clarification keravnos. But how would Great Roads be translated actually? Would it be Megaloi or Megalai?

Maion