krese

This word 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./loc. pl.(?)

krese

TL 44c.42 (Xanthos)

Melchert (DLL:118) interprets krese as a noun in the dat./loc. pl., which is possible. Neumann 2007a:172 suggests, however, that krese is a formation in -s-; cf. tuhes-, which would rather speak for an analysis as a dat./loc. sg. Differently, Schürr 2016d:162 suggests a genitival adjective in -ese/i- in the dat./loc. pl., which is equally possible and would be supported by the Lycian A personal name krehẽube (TL 52.1); see Shevoroshkin 1969a:264 and Schürr 2001e:138. The development -s- > -h- in Lycian A does not happen for the suffix -s- (as it probably originates in a consonant cluster with assimilation). The grammatical interpretation as dat./loc. pl. is adopted here, although it should be emphasized that it remains very tentative until further evidence emerges.

[D.S.]

The word krese appears within an instruction that the king gives to his priest concerning certain ritualistic actions. The etymological connection with the PIE word for ‘heart’ *k̑erd- as suggested by Shevoroshkin 1969a:264 is phonologically unlikely. Shevoroshkin 2002a:215, 228 translates krese with ‘for the warriors’, which is unfounded. No meaning will be suggested here.

[D.S.]