Merseburg pars pro toto: Name, etymology and meaning in the context of the Middle Ages

Place-name research seems to be dominated by etymological questions. But other per­spectives are important as well, as is demonstrated in one particular case: the convic­tion Thietmar of Merseburg manifests in his chronicle in the early 11th century that the place of his bishopric seat was named after Mars, the Roman god of war. This was not just his personal belief, but rather it fully corresponds with the then prevailing beliefs used in explaining the world and names at that time. And, seemingly, this prominent etymology raised the importance and prestige of the place and its imperial palace, as it is outlined in the present article.