Hercynia

Hercynia

1. (historical) An extensive forest in ancient Germany.

Hercynia f sg (genitive Hercyniae); first declension

1. the Hercynian Forest, in ancient Germany, sixty days' journey in length and nine in width, extending from the Schwarzwald, or Black Forest, on the north-east, to the Harz. Called also: Hercynius saltus.
   • c. 52 BCE, Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico 6.24:

     Huius Hercyniae silvae, quae supra demonstrata est, latitudo novem dierum iter expedito patet: non enim aliter finiri potest, neque mensuras itinerum noverunt. Oritur ab Helvetiorum et Nemetum et Rauracorum finibus rectaque fluminis Danubi regione pertinet ad fines Dacorum et Anartium; hinc se flectit sinistrorsus diversis ab flumine regionibus multarumque gentium fines propter magnitudinem adtingit; neque quisquam est huius Germaniae, qui se aut adisse ad initium eius silvae dicat, cum dierum iter LX processerit, aut, quo ex loco oriatur, acceperit:

     The breadth of this Hercynian forest, which has been referred to above, is to a quick traveler, a journey of nine days. For it can not be otherwise computed, nor are they acquainted with the measures of roads. It begins at the frontiers of the Helvetii, Nemetes, and Rauraci, and extends in a right line along the river Danube to the territories of the Daci and the Anartes; it bends thence to the left in a different direction from the river, and owing to its extent touches the confines of many nations; nor is there any person belonging to this part of Germany who says that he either has gone to the extremity of that forest, though he had advanced a journey of sixty days, or has heard in what place it begins.

First-declension noun, with locative, singular only.

• Hercynia silva
• Hercynius

• Hercynia in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.