arlil(i)-

This lexeme occurs three times in the curse formulae of the interconnected inscriptions found in the precinct of Artemis in Sardis.

[I.Y.]

dat. sg.	arlyllλ	LW 23.11 (Sardis)
	arlilλ	LW 24.13 (Sardis)
nom. pl. c.	arlylliš	LW 23.13 (Sardis)

The interpretation of arlylliš as nom. pl. c. is entirely dependent on the proposed semantic interpretation of arlil(i)‑. From the formal viewpoint, nom. sg. c. is equally possible.  

[I.Y.]

For the alternation between the graphemes <i> and <y> in Lydian texts cf. Gérard 2005a:36f. An argument for <y> corresponding to the reduced vowel [ǝ] is the compensatory lengthening of the following lateral consonant. Both changes likely have subphonemic character.

[I.Y.]

The lexeme under discussion is always used in the extension of the curse formula, underscoring the additional objects of a curse. In LW 23.11 and LW 24.13 one encounters the contrast between the perpetrator and his arlil(i)- property, while in LW 23.13 one observes a different contrast between the perpetrator and his arlil(i)-, apparently functioning as a substantivized adjective. According to Brandenstein 1929a:280, arlyllλ means ‘inherited’ in LW 23.11, while the translation ‘heir’ was offered for LW 23.13 arlylliš in Meriggi 1935a:91. A different solution is entertained in Gusmani 1964a:61, where the adjectival and substantivized use of arlil(i)- are interpreted as ‘one’s own’ and ‘property’ respectively. This interpretation also elicited the support of Yakubovich 2005b:84.

Both of the earlier interpretations appear to be contextually likely, but neither of them can be regarded as more convincing than the other. Since the combinatory method does not yield unambiguous result, one has to complement it with an etymological analysis. The only Anatolian stem beginning with arlº is one for ‘place’, attested with the determinative LOCUS in Luwian hieroglyphic texts and forming the base of CLuw. ārlanuwa-⁽ⁱ⁾ ‘to replace, relocate’, attested in cuneiform transmission. The meanings ‘belonging to the estate’ and ‘members of the household’ appear to be as suitable for the adjectival and substantivized use of arlil(i)- as the translations discussed above.

A more definitive argument for the proposed interpretation is the parallel use of the derivatives of the word for ‘place’ in the Luwian and Lydian extended curse formulae. The curse formulae of Luwian inscriptions KARKAMIŠ A2 and TELL AHMAR 6 contain threats against the perpetrator followed by the additional curse ‘Let him (the Storm-god) not wish well even to his local people” (§12 and §33 respectively). The “local people” (LOCUS-wa/i-) is presumably to be understood as the household comprising family members and domestic servants, and the same interpretation is available in LW 23.13. The use of synonyms and presumable cognates in the same function in the Luwian and Lycian curse formulae is a significant isogloss, although the question whether we are dealing here with common Anatolian heritage or areal influence can be left open for the time being.

[I.Y.]

Lyd. arlil(i)- is a semi-vocalic stem, presumably derived from the base *arla > ara- ‘estate’ with the help of the suffix -il(i)-. This is likely to be the same suffix as Luw. -il(i)-, seen e.g. in ḫantil(i)- ‘foremost’ (Melchert 2003b:195).

[I.Y.]

For the derivational base see Lyd. ara-.