A Scythian Word for Swan: ἄγλυ (Aglu)

There has been continuous interaction between the Turks and other communities throughout history, and as a result of this interaction, numerous written sources from antiquity contain words that can be attributed to the Turkic language. The earliest Turkic words are not found in Chinese sources, as commonly assumed, but rather in Sumerian and Ancient Greek records. In particular, the cultural contact between the Scythians and the Greeks led to the incorporation of many Scythian words into the Greek language. One of the primary sources that records words from the Scythian language is the lexicon compiled by Hesychius of Alexandria, who lived during the fifth and sixth centuries CE. In his extensive Greek glossary, Hesychius includes numerous entries of Scythian origin, among which is the term aglu, meaning “swan.” This article examines the possible correspondences of this Scythian word within Turkic dialects, a term whose meaning and etymology have remained unexplained to this day. The comparison of Aglu with analogous terms in Turkic dialects is significant for revealing both linguistic and cultural continuity. Moreover, the study of such lexical elements offers valuable insights into the possible linguistic connections between the Scythians and the Turks, while also contributing to a deeper understanding of the shared cultural heritage of the Eurasian steppes. This article ultimately aims to shed light on the etymology and semantic field of this Scythian term.