ese

This lexeme is found in various grave inscriptions as well as on 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.]

indecl.	ese	TL 21.2 (Tlos)
		TL 35.9 (Kadyanda)
		TL 44a.44 (Xanthos)
		TL 44a.48 (Xanthos)
		TL 44a.52 (Xanthos)
		TL 104b.2 (Limyra)
		N 320.15 (Xanthos)
	(e)se	TL 131.3 (Limyra)
		TL 45a.4 (Xanthos)

The attestation in TL 21.2 is analyzed by Eichner 2007a:107 n. 19 as the 3sg. preterit form of of es-^(ti) ‘to be’, which indeed looks alike. He assumes a periphrastic construction with the following verb, but such is not otherwise attested in Lycian and therefore unconvincing. An interpretation as preverb is preferable.

[D.S.]

In the earlier literature, ese was given the meaning ‘(together) with’ purely on the basis on the analysis of certain contexts (Thomsen 1899a:57-60, Meriggi 1936b:276), which are, however, outdated. In the trilingual inscription (N 320.15), ese was often conflated with se ‘and’, which led scholars to accept for ese the meaning ‘together’ (Melchert 1999c:75 n. 3, Neumann 2007a:75). This is, however, completely unpersuasive, since the construction ‘both… and…’ is regularly expressed by se… se… Moreover, the case of ese in N 320.15 is simply the regular use of a preverb with the verb xbaitẽ, except that it is postposed (cf. xitẽ (e)pi in TL 84.4). Carruba 1969b:37 n. 23, 74f. n. 58 connects Lycian ese with Hitt. ištarna ‘in the middle’ and =ašta, which would allow to account for the retention of the -s- in Lycian, but does not elaborate on the synchronic function. DLL:18 claims that ese has a telicizing effect, whereas Schürr 2016d:157 assumes a “reinforcing” effect. The verb tebe-^(ti) ‘to defeat’ occurs regularly with the preverb ese, which does not contribute to the elucidation of the function. The verb xtta(i)-^(di) ‘to do damage’ occurs once with the preverb ese, in which it is clearly transitive, whereas the other examples of xtta(i)-^(di) seem to be intransitive. Only more data will eventually permit a proper elucidation of the function of ese. Until then, no meaning or function will be assigned, nor will an etymology be offered here.

[D.S.]

1. eseri

2. esẽnemla-

3. asawãzala-

4. asaxlaza-

5. eseden͂newe-

6. Esedeplẽme/i- (PN)

For some hypotheses on its origin, see under Meaning. However, as long as its synchronic function is obscure, we refrain from providing a reconstruction.

[D.S.]

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.]

indecl.

asa

TL 44c.55 (Xanthos)

The word asa is taken as a preverb matching Lycian A ese (Shevoroshkin 1971a:233, DLL:113, Schürr 2016d:165). The different color of the vowels (if not original) may result from vowel harmony triggered by the following verb muwati ‘he strengthens’, to which it belongs. The exact function of the preverb in this case cannot be determined.

[D.S.]

1. esenẽmla-