mahinaza-

This lexeme is found in a grave inscription datable to the reign of Perikles (from ca. 385/80 until 362/60 BCE).

[D.S.]

nom. sg.

mahinaza

TL 133.1 (Limyra)

The title mahinaza- refers to the grave owner Xñtlapa, who is said to be the mahinaza- of Perikles, the ruling dynast of East Lycia during the first half of the 4^th century BCE in opposition to the Persian domination. Savelsberg 1878a:105 adduced an etymological connection with Lyc. mahã(n)- ‘god’ and suggested for mahinaza- the meaning ‘priest’ (followed by Laroche 1979c:99 “devin”, Starke 1990a:363 “Seher”, Lebrun 1999a:53 n. 28, Neumann 2007a:192, Schürr 2013d:269).

Differently, Thomsen 1899a:43 translates it instead with “adviser”, which is possible, although a mere guess. Melchert (DLL:36) prefers not to translate and leaves it as a “title”, which is more prudent, whereas Wagner 2011a:152 leaves the two interpretations as ‘priest’ or ‘adviser’ open.

Starke 1990a:363 explains the diverging vocalism between *mahin- and Lyc. mahã(n)- as a suffixal lengthened grade (followed by Oettinger 1982b:174 n. 46; cf. Schürr 2013d:269).. Further, he compares the suffix of CLuw. waššina(/i)- but admits that nothing is clear regarding the stem formation. Consequently, we cannot consider the association with mahã(n)- ‘god’ to be absolutely certain and it is thus left here untranslated.

[D.S.]

The title mahinaza- is a formation in -aza- c. (Neumann 2007a:192), which is productive in deriving nouns of professions.

[D.S.]

For a possible but questionable etymology, see under Meaning.

[D.S.]