Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰuǵ-der. Thracian *būzasder. Ancient Greek Βῡ́ζᾱς (Bū́zās) Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Ancient Greek -ῐος (-ĭos)? Ancient Greek -ῐον (-ĭon) Ancient Greek Βῡζᾰ́ντῐον (Būzắntĭon)bor. Latin Bȳzantiumbor. English Byzantium From Latin Bȳzantium, from Ancient Greek Βῡζᾰ́ντῐον (Būzắntĭon), named after its legendary founder, Byzas.