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The etymology of the name Denmark ((デンマーク語:Danmark)), and especially the relationship between Danes and Denmark and the unifying of Denmark as a single kingdom, is a subject which attracts some debate.〔Kristian Andersen Nyrup, Middelalderstudier (Bog IX. Kong Gorms Saga )〕〔''Indvandrerne i Danmarks historie'', Bent Østergaard, Syddansk Universitetsforlag 2007, ISBN 978-87-7674-204-1, pp. 19–24〕 The debate is centered primarily around the prefix ''"Dan"'' and whether it refers to the Dani or a historical person Dan and the exact meaning of the -''"mark"'' ending. The issue is further complicated by a number of references to various Dani people in Scandinavia or other places in Europe in Greek and Roman accounts (like Ptolemy, Jordanes, and Gregory of Tours), as well as some medieval literature (like Adam of Bremen, Beowulf, Widsith and Poetic Edda). Most handbooks derive〔J. de Vries, ''Altnordisches etymologisches Wörterbuch'', 1962, 73; N. Å. Nielsen, ''Dansk etymologisk ordbog'', 1989, 85–96.〕 the first part of the word, and the name of the people, from a word meaning "flat land", related to German ''Tenne'' "threshing floor", English ''den'' "cave", Sanskrit ''dhánuṣ-'' (धनुस्; "desert"). The ''-mark'' is believed to mean woodland or borderland (see marches), with probable references to the border forests in south Schleswig,〔Navneforskning, Københavns Universitet (Udvalgte stednavnes betydning ).〕 maybe similar to Finnmark, Telemark, or Dithmarschen.〔Asernes æt (Daner, Danir, Vandfolket )〕 In Old Norse, the land was called ''Danmǫrk''. In Latin, Denmark was called ''Dania''. ==Mythological explanations== Some of the earliest descriptions of the origin of the word 'Denmark', describing a territory, are found in the ''Chronicon Lethrense'' (12th century), Svend Aagesen (late 12th century), Saxo Grammaticus (early 13th century) and the Ballad of Eric (mid 15th century). There are, however, many more Danish annuals and yearbooks containing various other details, similar tales in other variations, other names or spelling variations. The ''Chronicon Lethrense'' explains how the Roman Emperor Augustus battled Denmark in the time of David,〔The 'David' referred to here appears to be David, the ancient king of the Israelites: of course this is wildly anachronistic, but it is fairly typical of such sources, which commonly sought to push national or dynastic origins as far back as possible.〕 Denmark consisted of seven territories Jutland, Funen, Zealand, Møn, Falster, Lolland and Skåne which were governed by King Ypper of Uppsala. He had three sons, Nori, Østen and Dan. Dan was sent to govern Zealand, Møn, Falster, and Lolland, which became known jointly as Videslev. When the Jutes were fighting Emperor Augustus they called upon Dan to help them. Upon victory, they made him king of Jutland, Funen, Videslev and Skåne. A council decided to call this new united land ''Danmark'' (Dania) after their new king, Dan. Saxo relates that it is the legendary Danish King Dan, son of Humbli, who gave the name to the Danish people, though he does not expressly state that he is also the origin of the word "Denmark". Rather he tells that England ultimately derives its name from Dan’s brother Angel. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Etymology of Denmark」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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