*Hu̯/ku̯Enān-du̯ā
‘twelve (?)’
- Language
- Proto-Lycian
- Grammar
- num
- ID
- 638
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Lycian A
qñnãkba
‘twelve (?)’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is attested on the inscribed pillar of Xanthos dated shortly after the ascension of Artaxerxes II in 405-404 BCE.
[D.S.]
1.1.2Forms
| indecl. | qñnãkba | TL 44b.52 (Xanthos) |
1.1.3Meaning
The word qñnãkba has been interpreted as a number because of the Lycian B phrase trisu qñnatbisu ‘three times, x times’ (TL 44c.51). In Lycian A, qñnãkba refers to the number of altars, which the king has set in Xanthos for the Storm-god. In the Lycian B version, the phrase qñnãtba xuzrñta xerigasa … ‘x number of xuzrñta of Gergis’ surely refers to the same context as the one found in the Lycian A version with qñnãkba. Unfortunately, this does not reveal what the exact number is. Because of the element kba ‘two’, the number ‘twelve’ has been suggested (Meriggi 1936b:267, Shevoroshkin 1979a:193). Melchert (DLL:55) points out that ‘twenty’ cannot be excluded either, although see under kbisñtãta ‘twenty’. One could also suggest tentatively the number ‘seven’, which can be composed of ‘five’ + ‘two’. Schürr 2016d:169 suggests that qñnãkba means ‘double twice’ = ‘four times’, which is far-fetched. Eichner 2005a:34f. segregates qñnã and kba into two words, which is not persuasive in view of the other attestations in Lycian B. In sum, it is better to remain careful until further evidence emerges, although ‘twelve’ appears to be the most likely hypothesis.
[D.S.]
1.2 Lycian B
qñnãtba
‘twelve (?)’1.2.1Transmission
This lexeme is attested on the inscribed pillar of Xanthos dated shortly after the ascension of Artaxerxes II in 405-404 BCE.
[D.S.]
1.2.2Forms
| indecl. | qñnãtba | TL 44d.8 (Xanthos) |
1.2.3Meaning
For a discussion of the meaning see under Lycian A qñnãkba.
[D.S.]
1.2.4Derivatives
2. Reconstruction
2.1Reconstruction ‘twelve (?)’
Based on Lycian A qñnãkba and Lyc. B qñnãtba, a Proto-Lycian form *Hu̯/ku̯Enān-du̯ā can be reconstructed. While the second member comes from the cardinal number ‘two’, PAnat. *du̯o-, the origin of the first member is obscure. One could posit a pre-form *Hu̯Enān or *ku̯onān followed by syncope of the vowel in the first syllable. The ending -ān reminds us of a case ending of a stem in *-eh2-. Pending an Anatolian or Indo-European etymology, nothing further can be said about the first member.The hypothesis of Neumann 2007a:305, that the first member is connected to the Lycian verb qa-(ti) ‘to destroy’ is not persuasive.
[D.S.]
For the second member of the compound see PAnat. *du̯o- / *du̯eh2 ‘two’.