Lexemes anatema and prokletije from the common and church law in the middle ages, as stems in Serbian onomastics

Abstract

This paper deals with lexemes anatema and prokletije as used in the common and church law in the Middle Ages, which can be found as stems in Serbian onomastics. The lexeme anatema (Greek anathǎma – ανάθεμα) denotes a cult place where, according to the common and church law, an outcast from a social group or a sinner in church was convicted. The lexeme anatema is found in the names of hills Anatema (at several locations), the name of the village Anatema, or as part of the name of the brook Anatemski potok (‘Anatema brook’). The lexeme prokletije is a compound noun consisting of prepositional and nominal elements (pro- + kleti + -je) and denotes a cult place at the crossroads where the ritual of putting a curse on someone who committed an offence, a crime or a sin was performed. The name of the mountain Prokletije is the confirmation of this mediaeval ritual.