Συράκουσαι
Syrákousai
G4946 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Syracuse; a major city located on the eastern coast of Sicily, serving as a prominent urban and port center in the ancient Mediterranean world. The term designates a specific geographic locality, known for its political, cultural, and economic significance, particularly during Greek and Roman periods.
Semantic Range
Syracuse (chief city of Sicily); place name; urban center; port city
Root / Etymology
Etymology uncertain. The name Συράκουσαι (Syrákousai) may be pre-Greek in origin and predates Greek colonization; traditional ancient explanations relating the name to marshes or water (e.g., the marsh Syca or the Greek 'syra' [swamp]) remain unproven.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Συράκουσαι is a geographic proper noun referring to the city of Syracuse, established as a Greek colony by settlers from Corinth and Tenea around 734 BCE. In classical and Hellenistic literature, it is frequently referenced as a prominent city of Magna Graecia, noted for its wealth, architecture, and as the home of notable figures such as Archimedes. In the New Testament (Acts 28:12), Συράκουσαι appears in the context of Paul's journey to Rome, indicating a stopover rather than any cultural or religious significance. The plural form is standard for many Greek city names (cf. Ἀθῆναι for Athens), reflecting either multiple parts of the settlement or a linguistic convention. English translations (as 'Syracuse') preserve the ancient name but may not convey its historical importance or plural form. The city remained significant through Roman times; its name continued in use into the Byzantine period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of uncertain derivation; Syracuse, the capital of Sicily:--Syracuse.
Root Family
uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1009 | βότρυς | clusters |
| G1050 | Γάϊος | to Gaius |
| G1055 | γαλήνη | calm stillness |
| G108 | Ἄζωτος | Ashdod |
| G1148 | Δαλμανουθά | of Dalmanoutha |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4946-01 |
Συρακούσας | surakousas | N ACC F PL |
Syracuse | Syracuse | Syracuse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4946-01 |
Acts 28:12 | Συρακούσας | surakousas | N ACC F PL |
Syracuse | Syracuse | Syracuse |