nbb

This lexeme is found in the inscription of the inscribed pillar of Xanthos, dated contextually to shortly after the ascension of Artaxerxes II in 405-404 BCE and stylistically to around 400 BCE (Borchhardt & Eichner 1997-1999a:19f.).

[D.S.]

Meriggi 1937a:515 suggests that the short word nbb represents an abbreviation of the type Lat. sqq. and Gk. κτλ., thus modern etc. This is entirely possible and convincing, because the word nbb cannot be complete as it stands. Eichner 1993a:135 n. 112 points to the possibility of it being a corrupt form in need of emendation, comparing zrbblã. Later, Eichner 2006a:234 n. 25 assumes that it refers to an actual noun, which would have been syncopated, postulating an unconvincing Indo-European etymology with *h₃nobhi- ‘umbilicus’; cf. also under Lyc. B neburẽni. Melchert (DLL:122) suggests an abbreviation for the personal name natrbbijẽmi (N 320.4), which is so far only attested for a man of high status living in Lycia during the reign of Pixodaros, i.e. approximately 60-70 years after the erection of the inscribed pillar of Xanthos; this comparison is hence in no way supported. Gehrisch 2018a:84 suggests a segmentation of nbb into two enclitics, i.e. =(e)ne=be, which is irreconcilable with the syntax. Overall, the best hypothesis remains the one by Meriggi, i.e. nbb ‘etc.’, which would make sense contextually, because it is used immediately before a change of scene takes place within the narrative. Thus, it would refer to all other ritualistic actions the priest would perform, before the narrator moves on to recite the perspective of the gods. Since Latin sqq. stands for sequentes and Gk. κτλ. for καὶ τὰ λοιπά ‘and the rest’, Lyc. nbb probably stands for something similar.

[D.S.]