ιρνενι(α)

Unknown.

• Possibly marked by the morpheme *-ēno-, a suffix used for anthroponyms or ethnonyms in the Italic languages. The linguist Paolo Poccetti suggests that the term is likely an ethnonym referring to a community involved in the creation of the inscription.
• Possibly suffixed with *-nos.
• Possibly suffixed with *-jā.
• Perhaps cognate to Latin herneum, an alternative form erneum.
• Perhaps cognate with Latin hirnea.
• Perhaps related to Latin herna, itself of unclear origin. Possibly from *ǵʰers-.

Based on the possible Latin cognates, which all begin with h-, Matteo Calabrese concludes that the Pre-Samnite term likely also began with aspiration. Calabrese also suggests the term is an accusative singular feminine with the final -m omitted.

ιρνενι(α) (irneni(a)) f (accusative singular?)

1. The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:
   1. made of stone; belonging to stone (if connected to Latin herna)
   2. (if a noun) jug for carrying liquids (if connected to Latin hirnea)
   3. (if a noun) a type of cake (if connected to Latin erneum)
   4. (if a proper noun) ethnoynm for a community involved in the creation of the law from Tortora

• Matteo Calabrese (2021) “The sacred law from Tortora”, in Latomus‎^[1] (in Pre-Samnite), volume 80, Société d’études latines de Bruxelles, →DOI