xapaxi

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.]

unclear

xapaxi

TL 44c.42 (Xanthos)

Shevoroshkin 1988b:293 suggests an a-stem xapaxa- c., which would make the form xapaxi a dative. Schürr 2016d:177 suggests either an accusative or dative singular without discussing the stem. Melchert (DLL:135) leaves the matter open.

[D.S.]

Schmidt 1868b:Taf. VII.4, Kalinka 1901a:43 and Borchhardt & Eichner 1997-1999a:24 read the fifth letter in xapaxi as 〈x〉 without any indication that the sign might be damaged (followed by Gehrisch 2018a:81). Schürr 2016d:153, 155, however, who bases his assessment on his own photos of the inscription, does not read anything for the fifth letter of the word, nowadays damaged, i.e. xapa[.]i, even though the sign was evidently readable at least in the 19^th century.

[D.S.]

The word xapaxi occurs within a direct speech uttered by the king concerning some ritualistic preparations. Shevoroshkin 2002a:231 suggests an etymological connection with the Hittite root ḫapp- ‘to attach’, which is possible but unprovable due to the obscurity of the context. Schürr 2016d:177 compares the personal name xpparama- without further information. No meaning is suggested by Gehrisch 2018a:82 and none will be suggested here either.

[D.S.]

Comparing Luwian -aḫit-, Neumann 2007a:111 suggests analyzing a suffix -xi-, which is possible, but difficult to prove. Alternatively, one could assume a compound, i.e. xapa-xi-, with the substantive xi- c. ‘offering’ as second member, which is also possible, but currently unprovable.

[D.S.]

The etymology with the Hittite root ḫapp- ‘to attach’ as previously suggested is possible, but unprovable until the semantics of the noun are elucidated.

[D.S.]