Pontifex maximus pointed out that the term existed before there were any bridges in Rome and derived the word from Old Latin "pontis" (sic) meaning a powerful or absolute master, while others derived it from "potis facere" in the sense of "able to sacrifice". The last derivation is mentioned also by Varro, who rejected it, but it was the view of Pontifex Maximus Quintus Scaevola. Others have held that the word was originally "pompifex" (leader of public processions). The word "pons" originally meant "way" and "pontifex" would thus mean "maker of roads and bridges". Another opinion is that the word is a
Bandar Seri Begawan then made the defence minister and on 5 October 1970, the city was renamed to honour him. The word "Begawan" was also used for Bruneian monarchs who have abdicated, the word originally coming from the Sanskrit word for "god": भगवान् "bhagavān". Besides that, "Seri Begawan" was known as "blessed one" in Sanskrit. "Seri" comes from the honorific Sanskrit word श्री "Sri", and "Bandar" comes from Persian via Indian languages and originally meant "harbour" or "port" or "haven". In Malay, the word "bandar" means "town" or a "city". Human settlement in Brunei can be traced back to the 6th and 7th