mlatraza-

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.]

nom. sg.

mlatraza

TL 44b.40 (Xanthos)

Differently, Melchert (DLL:40) takes mlatraza to be dative plural. However, since the construction of monuments in Tymnessos is for the Storm-god already, we expect mlatraza- to be the subject of the sentence, i.e. nominative singular, instead of a recipient (likewise Schürr 2012a:121), see under Meaning.

[D.S.]

As pointed out by Melchert (DLL:40) and Schürr 2012a:121 mlatraza- must be a title because of the suffix -aza- c. On account of its etymological connection with mla- ‘votive offering’, mlatraza- should refer to the official in charge of votive offerings (DLL:40, cf. Gehrisch 2018a:69 “Opferpriester”; outdated Shevoroshkin 1977a:137). This can be contextually supported, since the mlatraza is the one to undertake the construction of religious monuments for the Storm-god in the name of the Lycian king (cf. Schürr 2012a:122).

[D.S.]

As per Melchert (DLL:40), mlatraza- is a derivative of mla- (less likely mle- c.) with the old agent noun suffix -tr-, i.e. *mlatar-, which was rederived with the productive agent noun/individualizing suffix -aza- c. For the same derivational chain in Lydian, see sfatrτa- c. (Sasseville 2021a:169).

[D.S.]

For the lemma head, see Lyc. mla-.