pittanumma/i-

The lexeme occurs once in the Gilgamesh epic.

[E.R.]

acc. pl. c.

pít-ta-nu-um-m[i-e]n-[za]

KUB 8.50 ii 13

(CTH 341, NS)

Outdated is Friedrich’s (HW:171, 332) erroneous restoration as a 1sg. pret. act.; cf. CHD P:360, HEG P:630f.

[E.R.]

Checked against the photographs in the Mainzer Fotoarchiv. – Although Friedrich’s suggested match with Hitt. pittenu- ‘to run off with, to whisk away’ was not accepted by other scholars, his reading with initial pít- has generally been preferred, while pát- seems to be mentioned only dutifully (for references, see under Meaning).

[E.R.]

The adjective describes two lions that are probably the kill of Gilgamesh’s hunting expedition into the mountains (Beckman 2019a:51f.). Most scholars refrain from translating the word, although they agree that we are dealing with a Luwian participle (DLL:82, HEG P:630f., CHD P:360, HHw:133, Ünal 2007a:546). If correct, one has to assume a change from -nuwa-  > -nu- in the suffix, which is known from the finite forms, but not the participle (Sasseville 2021a: 464). This is probably the reason why Melchert (CLL:178, DCL:188) prefers the suffix -umma/i- (also found in annarumma/i-). However, lexicalisation would easily prevent the restoration of -nuwamma/i-.

Strangely, Friedrich’s connection of pittanumma/i- with Hitt. pittenu- ‘to run off with, to whisk away’ was largely ignored or even rejected (e.g., CHD P:360; an exception is HHw:133 with two entries), although it permits a plausible formal and semantic analysis. The participle of the transitive -nuwa-⁽ⁱ⁾ verb comes with a literal meaning ‘to let run, put to flight’ and perhaps by metonomic extension may also denote ‘terrified’. It follows its head noun in the position of a depictive adjective denoting a subordinate action going along with the main action, presumably the killing of the lion. It fits the context perfectly well that the hero Gilgamesh would put the lions to flight and kill them.

[E.R.]

For the analysis as a lexicalized Luwian participle or -umma/i- derivative and as such a word of Luwian origin, see under Meaning (with references).

[E.R.]