axãtaza-

This lexeme is a hapax occurring in the sepulchral inscription TL 149.

[O.B.]

nom. sg.

axãtaza

TL 149.3 (Rhodiapolis)

The form is transliterated as ax<s>ãtaza in Kalinka 1901a:92, with the remark that the〈s〉may be a crack in the rock. This is subsequently confirmed by a paper squeeze in Christiansen 2020a:224 n. 218.

[O.B.]

Since Neumann 1967b:36, the meaning of Lyc. axãtaza- as ‘priest’ or similar is consensual (thus also in Hawkins apud Barnett 1974a:902, Bryce 1980a:49, Hajnal 1995a:116 n. 224, DLL:7, Christiansen 2020a:226, Onur & Tekoğlu 2020a:21). The word occurs in apposition to Ijamara, the owner of the grave carrying the inscription, modified by malijahi wedrẽñnehi, an adjectival phrase consisting of a deity name in the gen. adj. Consequently, a meaning ‘priest’ is plausible. The sacrificial connotation may be glanced from the derivational base axãt(i)- ‘(sacrificial officiant) (?)’ often occurring modified by a gen. adj. of an animal term (i.e. uwehi ‘of bovines’ and esbehi ‘of horses’). That axãtaza- denotes some sort of profession is apparent from the formation with the “professional suffix” -aza-. The meaning ‘priest of animal sacrifice’ cannot be independently verified, however.

[O.B.]

Lyc. axãtaza- is a common gender a-stem formed with the professional suffix -aza- (cf. Laroche 1979c:98-100), most likely to axãt(i)- ‘(sacrificial officiant) (?)’.

[O.B.]

For the derivational base, see axãt(i)- ‘(sacrificial officiant) (?)’.