Origin of the word Asia

When man expanded the territory he inhabited and discovered new regions, he needed to give them a name . Sometimes it designated them with some geographic characteristic or with the one of its settlers, and thus the denominations of continents or countries were born that lasted until today. In this article we will explain where the word Asia comes from, what is its origin and why it is called like that.

Where does the word Asia come from?

Asia is the largest of the continents and cradle of the first civilizations of humanity, such as the Sumerians, Hebrews, Chaldean Assyrians, Chinese, Indians, Phoenicians, etc. The word Asia derives from Aszu, an Assyrian voice meaning exit from the Sun, that is, the East, in opposition to Ereb, sunset or the West.

Asia according to mythology

According to the Greek mythology Asia was a nymph, daughter of the Ocean and the goddess Thetis.