Po Valley
/ˈpoʊ ˌvæli/noun
The broad, fertile plain surrounding the Po River in northern Italy.
Did you know?Ancient Greek writers called the Po Eridanus and associated it with the myth of Phaethon, whose fiery fall was said to have transformed the river’s landscape.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman Italy
Pre-Latin
Padus
“An ancient name for the Po River; its ultimate origin is uncertain and may come from a pre-Roman language.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἠριδανός (Ēridanós)
“Eridanus, the mythical and geographical river identified by Greek writers with the Po.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Padus
“The Po River, the principal river of Cisalpine Gaul and northern Italy.”
Classical Latin
Latin
vallis
“A valley, vale, or low-lying tract between hills.”
Old French
Old French
valée
“A valley or lowland; the source of English valley.”
14th Century
English
vale / valley
“A valley or broad low area between elevations.”
Modern English
English
Po Valley
“The named plain of northern Italy formed around the Po River.”