Эксартисис

11:33 Aug 3, 2015 

You ask some complicated questions, Deborah. I mean the history of the words is quite complex. I really don't want to complicate things unnecessarily, but there is yet another Greek word, Εξάρτυσις, which (in the traditional, 'classical' style of transliteration) becomes 'Exartysis' in English. It's from the Greek verb meaning 'to equip, to fit out' (e.g. of ships). After looking at your context again, this seems a strong possibility. Googling for it in English and Greek will give some results, that's all I can say.

What we are faced with here is three different Greek words, which became identical in Greek pronunciation a long time ago, but which can be differentiated in English spelling (in line with their Greek spelling): Exartisis, Exartesis, Exartysis. They cannot be differentiated in Russian spelling.

09:30 Aug 2, 2015 

There are two possible Greek words that this could come from: Εξάρτισης (Exartisis - 'equipment') and Εξάρτησις (Exartesis - 'dependence', 'hanging'). Both words can be found in the Ancient Greek dictionary.

If I could see the name written in Greek, I would be able to tell you with more certainty, but as far as I can tell, 'Exartisis' is correct. The ancient 'Exartisis' was apparently an arsenal, so the equipment was presumably military equipment.

The two words are quite easily confused, and are pronounced the same in Modern Greek.

If you google for 'Constantinople' and 'Exartesis' (even though this seems to be the wrong spelling!), you will find a few references to the 'Exartesis' as the '(ancient) arsenal'. If the name means 'Arsenal', then the spelling 'Εξάρτισης' ('Exartisis') seems more likely.