Hermes Ἀργεϊφόντης and Agni bhā́r̥jīka

Abstract

Abstract The paper concerns Ἀργεϊφόντης, an epithet of Hermes in Greek hexameter poetry. I propose that the form is ultimately to be interpreted as a Kunstform, i.e. a metrical adaptation of *ἀργεϊφάων, the univerbation of *ἄργεϊ φάων ‘shining in white (light)’, as first proposed by Koller (1976). Furthermore, I identify Vedic bhā́r̥jīka‑ (RV), an epithet of Agni, as a phraseological match for the Greek appellative. I argue that bhā́r̥jīka‑ may be understood as ‘flashing with white appearance’ or ‘whose white appearance is shining.’ Moreover, the compound is built with the same lexical material as Greek ἀργεϊφόντης: IE *bʰeh₂‑ ‘to shine, become visible’ and IE *h₂erǵ‑ ‘white.’