Attali
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Attali were ancient people of Arabia mentioned by Pliny.[1]
Variants
Jat Gotras Namesake
- Atal = Attali (Pliny.vi.30)
Origin
Attali (Hebrew: אטָּלי או אטָּאלי) is a Jewish surname originated from the Arab word "attâl" (porter).[2]
Mention by Pliny
Pliny[3] mentions.... When the Euphrates ceases, by running in its channel, to afford protections27 to those who dwell on its banks, which it does when it approaches the confines of Charax, the country is immediately infested by the Attali, a predatory people of Arabia, beyond whom are found the Scenite.28 The banks along this river are occupied by the Nomades of Arabia, as far as the deserts of Syria, from which, as we have already stated,29 it takes a turn to the south,30 and leaves the solitary deserts of Palmyra.
27 Against the attacks of robbers dwelling on the opposite side; the Attali, for instance.
28 Or "dwellers in tents," Bedouins, as we call them.
29 B. v. c. 20 and 21
References
- ↑ Natural History by Pliny Book VI/Chapter 30
- ↑ Laurent Hertz, Dictionnaire étymologique de noms de famille français d'origine étrangère, L'Harmattan, 1997, p.88
- ↑ Natural History by Pliny Book VI/Chapter 30