Nisaea

English

Etymology 1

The placename(s) may be derived from several placenames that may or may not be connected with each other.

• (1) The name for the famous Nisaean plain is from Ancient Greek Νήσαιον πεδίον (Nḗsaion pedíon, “Nisaean plain in Media”), Νίσαιον (Nísaion, “Nisaean plain in Media”) (akin to Akkadian 𒌷𒉌𒃻𒀀𒀀 (^URUNi-šá-a-a, literally “city of Nisaea”), 𒆳𒉌𒅖𒃻𒀀 (^KURNi-iš-šá-a, literally “land or country of Nisaea”) [Assyrian], Arabic نِسَا (nisā, “a town in Hamadan”)).
• (2) Old Persian 𐎴𐎡𐎿𐎠𐎹 (n-i-s-a-y /⁠Nisāya⁠/, “a district in Media”) (DB I 58) (compare Elamite 𒉡𒅖𒃻𒉿 (Nu-iš-šá-ya), Akkadian 𒉌𒄑𒊓𒀀𒀀 (Ni-is-sa-a-a)), from Median (compare Aramaic נישי (nysy, “a personal name”), from OIr. *Naisāya (“the Nisaean”)). This may be identified with the Nisaean plain mentioned above.
• (3) Old Persian *Nisāya (attested as Elamite 𒉡𒃻𒉿 (Nu-šá-ya, “a village in the area surrounding Persepolis”)). It may be identified with Arabic نِسَا (nisā), نسايك (“a town in Fars near Shiraz”). The name Elamite 𒈾𒀀𒃻𒀀𒉿 (Na-a-šá-a-ya, “a personal name”) (from Old Persian *Naisāya) may be related to this, or to no. 2.
• (4) Avestan 𐬥𐬌𐬯𐬁𐬌𐬌𐬀 (nisāiia, “region between Margiana and Bactria; i.e. a district between Murghab Rud and Balkh Rud in modern-day Faryab and Jozjan”). It is known in primary sources to be different from no. 2. Herzfeld identified it with Old Armenian Նսաի (Nsai) or Նսաի-Միանակ (Nsai-Mianak) (from Middle Persian *Nisā-i miyānak (“Middle Nisay”)) (recorded by Ananias of Shirak) and Ancient Greek Νίσαια (Nísaia) (no. 7).
• (5) Ancient Greek Νισαία (Nisaía) (akin to Latin Nisea), Νίγαια (Nígaia, “a town in Margiana”). This is probably connected with no. 4 and/or 6, possibly the capital of the district in question. Probably the same place as Old Armenian Նսաի (Nsai) or Նսաի-Միանակ (Nsai-Mianak) (from Middle Persian *Nisā-i miyānak (“Middle Nisay”)).
• (6) Ancient Greek Νησαία (Nēsaía, “a district in Hyrcania, or between Hyrcania and Parthia”). Presumably identified with Ancient Greek Νισιαία (Nisiaía) (possibly emended to Νισαία (Nisaía, “a region of Parthia”)). Possibly identical with no. 4.
• (7) Ancient Greek Νίσαια (Nísaia, “the Greek name for the town Parthānisa in Parthia”), apparently identified with the Parthian royal city Nisa. Related to Νισαῖοι (Nisaîoi, “the inhabitants of the Parthian royal city Nisa”).

The toponyms are probably from the choronyms. The choronyms, that is, nos. 2, 4, and 6 are from Old Iranian *ni-sāya- (“place of lying down, resting-place, settlement, encampment”). For more also compare Nahavand and نهاوند a famous city located on the Nisaean plain.

Alternative forms

• Nisaia, Nisaya, Nesaia, Nesaea, Nisea

Proper noun

Nisaea (uncountable)

1. (historical) several regions and towns in ancient Iran:
   1. (historical) a vast plain in Media, known for its namesake horse breed

      Synonyms: Nisaean plain, Campi Nisaei

   2. (historical) a region in Hyrcania or Parthia

      Synonym: Nesaea

      1. (historical) a town in Margiana, probably the capital of the mentioned region

         Synonyms: Nisea, Nigaea

   3. (historical) a royal capital of the Parthian Empire, now in Turkmenistan

      Synonyms: Nisa, Nissa, Mithradatkirt

Derived terms

• Nisaean, Nisean, Nisaian, Nisayan

Translations

Nisaean plain

region in Hyrcania or Parthia

town in Margiana

• Latin: Nisea, Nigaea

royal Parthian capital

• Persian: نسا (fa) (nesâ)

References

• Rüdiger Schmitt (2002), "NISĀYA" in Encyclopaedia Iranica

Further reading

• Nisean horse on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Etymology 2

From Ancient Greek Νίσαια (Nísaia).

Alternative forms

• Nisaia

Proper noun

Nisaea (uncountable)

1. (historical) a town in Megara at the mouth of the Saronic Gulf