Athelas - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Malva Headstrong · 03-12-2003, 09:08 AM

I´m quite sure it is the herb basil (not sure if it´s the right translation. In German its name is Basilikum). Basil means in Old Greek "king", I´ve heard the plant is called so in Britian and Tolkien was - as far as I know - professor for Old Greek. So it´s more than likely that Tolkien translated the name into Elvish/English and added some healing powers.

"las" means "leaf", maybe a leaf formed like a blade or the tip of a spear (like Elven ears, "las" is also used in terms with "ears", "listen" etc.). Is there someone who can post the description of atheles of the book an da picture of basil?

[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Malva Headstrong ]

03-12-2003, 09:08 AM	#37
Malva Headstrong Haunting Spirit Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 53	I´m quite sure it is the herb basil (not sure if it´s the right translation. In German its name is Basilikum). Basil means in Old Greek "king", I´ve heard the plant is called so in Britian and Tolkien was - as far as I know - professor for Old Greek. So it´s more than likely that Tolkien translated the name into Elvish/English and added some healing powers. "las" means "leaf", maybe a leaf formed like a blade or the tip of a spear (like Elven ears, "las" is also used in terms with "ears", "listen" etc.). Is there someone who can post the description of atheles of the book an da picture of basil? [ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Malva Headstrong ] __________________ Credo quia absurdum. (Augustinus)