pruwa-

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./acc. pl. or coll.

pruwa

TL 44d.4 (Xanthos)

It is unclear whether we are dealing with a pl. neuter noun in -e- or a collective formation. Contra Shevoroshkin 2014a:237, a locative singular fails to provide a coherent analysis of the syntax.

[D.S.]

The noun pruwa is coordinated with albrãna trqqn͂tasa ‘the albrãna of the Storm-god’. Both items will appear in the cella or temple (of the Storm-god?) as a result of rites performed by the inhabitants of the river-valleys.

Melchert (DLL:125) and Schürr 2018b:76 compare Lyc. A prulija- ‘booty’, which implies that it would be the derivational base of the suffix chain -l-ija-. This is possible, though unprovable without a concrete semantic approach. Differently, Schürr 2018b suggests an etymological comparison with Lyd. prwa- ‘year’, which is phonologically tempting, but semantically a difficult fit. Shevoroshkin 2002a:230 suggests the meaning ‘allotments, supply’, which lacks independent support. Likewise unconvincing is the etymological analysis by Shevoroshkin 2014a:237 adducing Hitt. ^LÚparāuwant- (parā ‘out’ + uw-ant- ‘seeing’) and translating pruwa with ‘supervision’. Gehrisch 2018a:92 suggests the meaning ‘stone slab’, using an etymological connection with Hitt. ^NA4pēru(n)- ‘rock, cliff, boulder’, which lacks evidence. Outdated Korolev & Shevoroshkin 1969a:531 ‘arrangement, order’, which is based on false premises. No meaning is assigned here for Lyc. B pruwa.

[D.S.]