hrm̃mad(i)-

This lexeme is attested once in the trilingual inscription of the Letoon stele, dated to 337 BCE.

[D.S.]

nom./acc. coll.

hrm̃mada

N 320.14 (Xanthos)

The word hrm̃mada is modified by ttaraha ‘of the cities’. Based on its derivational base hrm̃ma- ‘temenos’, the formation in -ad(i)- should mean something close to a temenos. The Greek version of the inscription does not translate this part of the Lycian passage word for word, so that no precise meaning can be ascertained to hrm̃mada (contra Laroche 1979c:66). Melchert 1999e:371 suggests that hrm̃mada is the grammaticalized collective of hrm̃ma- c. and therefore offers the same translation. This is possible, although it cannot be proven synchronically due to the current state of attestation. However, the context refers to the installation of a cult, whence the general meaning is clear (cf. Schürr 2001e:144).

                s(e)=ed(e) eli ñtatẽ : teteri : sej epewẽtlm͂mẽi : hrm͂mada : ttaraha

                ‘The city (of Xanthos) and (its) surrounding villages set land sections belonging to the city. (vel sim.)’

[D.S.]

The word hrm̃mada is treated here as a lexeme different from hrm̃ma- on methodological grounds (differently Melchert 1999e:371). A stem in -ad(i)- c. is posited by default, although we cannot exclude that there was only a plurale tantum in -ada available in the language.

[D.S.]

For the derivational base see LycA. hrm̃ma-.