eλo-

This existence of this word, which is found in an inscription from Sardis, is questionable.

[D.S.]

nom. sg. or acc. pl. (?)

ẹλos

LW 13.13 (Sardis)

According to Eichner´s system, the accented vowels e and o cannot co-occur within the same word, unless the word has resulted from univerbation (Eichner 1986a, Eichner 1986b). Therefore, it is possible that the word ẹλos (as the only apparent exception to the rule) is to be read as ụλos instead, although the lower bar of the letter e can be faintly seen on an old photo (Buckler 1924a:29). But since this could reflect the damaged stone instead, one should keep in mind the alternative reading ụλos until a new collation of the inscription is made. If the reading ụλos were to be correct, it would suggest an emendation to <s>ụλos ‘the son (?)’ (see Lyd. suλo-). Contextually speaking, suλos would refer to the asẽmiš, which occurs in line 9 as asẽmλ wotlλ ‘Asẽmiš, (son) of Wotas (?)’. Therefore, the context itself would support  the emendation. Nevertheless, a new collation of the inscription is necessary, before venturing any further.

[D.S.]

Meriggi 1935a:106f. suggests that Lyd. eλos is borrowed from Greek Ἥλιος ‘The Sun’, which is far-fetched and unsupported. No meaning is suggested in Gusmani 1964a:102.

[D.S.]