Аннотация: The author analyses origins of the common family name (genonymic) ‘Cheban’/’Cioban(u)’ using methods of comparative phonology and linguistics. According to this research, the family name ‘Cheban’ may be derived from several roots, each belonging to a different sociolinguistic stratum. ‘Cheban’ is viewed as a converging genonimic with roots in Sumerian, Scythian and Greek cultural, theological and linguistic traditions. The author suggests a novel interpretation of the list of generations of the sons of Noah (Genesis 10) with Sheba identified as the originator of a tribe that dwelled in the traditionally Scythian lands. The author puts forth a revision of the traditional thesis that family names are derived from professions/occupations of the founders of families: according to this view, names of gods who patronized specific occupations were transferred onto the families engaged in such occupations. Additional observations on origins of common toponymics (e.g., Olanesti, Be[a]ssarabia etc.) are presented from the standpoint of phonetic similarity as supported by surviving historical documents (e.g., Flavius Josephus, Herodot etc.) Uncommon and poorly understood toponymic ‘Paratalasia’ is interpreted as possibly linked to the cult of Osiris and/or the cult of Iasse. The common toponymic Be[a]ssarabia is interpreted as linked to the cult of Dionisius (Bassarei.) The author emphasizes the unique sociocultural history of the Northern Para-Euxine region as one of the areas of intense coexistence and codevelopment of a large number of unique and historically important linguistic, cultural and theological traditions.
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