After having studied all the sites suggested by Sra and Writeacher,
I have found, that "eponym", as well as "toponym", has two definitions.
EPONYM:
1) a name from which another name or word is derived.
2)a word derived from a person.
This would make both, Athena and Athens, eponyms.
TOPONYM:
1) a place name (Athens)
2) a word derived from a place (athenian, spartan)
Thus, Athens would be both, an eponym and a toponym.
Am I now correct?
Thank you for your help and patience.
It seems to me that Athens is a toponym only.
Here's an example of the second defintion for eponym that I heard recently on a rerun of the TV show NUMB3RS:
"Now don't go all Fleinhart on me." (Fleinhart is the name of one of the characters on that show; he is portrayed as an astronomy and physics professor who is the quintessential absent-minded professor.)
Thank you Writeacher.
The reason that I thought Athens is an eponym as well as a toponym, is that in one of the sites it said that
Romulus is the eponym for Rome and Rome is an eponym for Romulus.
Thank you so much for all your help and patience. This is a fantastic site and all you teachers are magnificent!!!
You're very welcome, EG. =)
Yes, you are correct! After studying the suggested sites and definitions, you have correctly identified that "eponym" and "toponym" have two distinct definitions each.
For "eponym," the first definition is when a name serves as the source for another name or word. In this case, Athena can be considered an eponym because Athens is derived from her name.
The second definition of "eponym" is when a word is derived from a person. In this case, Athena is the person from whom the word "Athenian" is derived. Therefore, both Athena and Athens can be classified as eponyms based on these definitions.
Moving on to "toponym," the first definition is a place name. Athens is a place name, so it falls under this definition.
The second definition of "toponym" is a word derived from a place. "Athenian" is a word that is derived from the place Athens, so Athens can also be considered a toponym based on this definition.
In conclusion, Athens can be classified as both an eponym and a toponym, according to the definitions you have provided. Well done on your analysis, and I'm glad I could assist you in reaching this conclusion.