pssei(je)-

This lexeme is attested 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.]

dat. pl.

psseje

TL 44c.58 (Xanthos)

Contra Schürr 2016d:168 “dat. sg.”, and Melchert (DLL:102) “dat. sg. of a personal name”.

[D.S.]

The word psseje is surely a defective spelling of psse〈i〉je, if the analysis with the suffix -a/ei(je)- is correct (thus Shevoroshkin 2014a:241); see under Meaning

[D.S.]

The adjective psseje (← *psse-) modifies the noun zirẽple of obscure meaning. However, based on the whole sentence and the context, king Gergis hunts for the psseje zirẽple that, when he is abroad on his military campaign. That implies some kind of group (human or divine) or place that would benefit from the spoils of the hunted animals the king would bring back (see Sasseville 2021a:239f. and cf. Lyc. B zirẽple/i-). As long as the meaning of the derivational base *psse- is unknown, no reliable semantics can be assigned to Lyc. B psseje. Outdated Meriggi 1936b:271 “pronoun”. Shevoroshkin 2002a:230 takes psse- to mean ‘contribution, payments’ (comparing Pal. pīša ‘give!’) and translates psseje accordingly, which remains unattractive.

[D.S.]

For the adjectival formation in -ei(je)-, see under Graphic features.

[D.S.]