ilẽ(n)-

This lexeme is found 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. pl.

ilẽne

TL 44d.37 (Xanthos)

The interpretation as a noun in the dative plural follows the one of Melchert (DLL:116) and Schürr 2018b:69. As pointed out by Melchert, the form could be formally taken as an infinitive, although the obvious derivative occurring in the same context, i.e. ilẽnedije, speaks for a noun instead.

[D.S.]

Savelsberg 1878a:22 suggests an equation with Gk. Ἕλλην ‘Greek’, which cannot be supported. Shevoroshkin 2014a:256 suggests a pre-form *ilesn-, although the Pre-Lycian sequence *-sn- does not lead to Lyc. B -ẽn-, but rather to -zñ-. He translates ilẽne as ‘land-tenants’, which is completely unfounded. Neumann 2007a:152 compares Hitt. ^GIŠilan- ‘stairs’ (HW 2nd ed. I:42-45), which is phonologically and morphologically attractive. The context in which ilẽne is found describes certain ritual actions. If it is taken as a locative plural, it would indicate the place where the action of ‘giving’ is performed.

                plejerẽ : pijeti : ilẽne : qezm͂mi (TL 44d.37-38)

                ‘He gives the plejerẽ to the qezm̃mi on the stairs.’ or ‘He gives the qezm̃mi plejerẽ for the stairs.’

The grammatical role of qezm̃mi depends on the gender of plejere-, which is not clear. In any case, the stairs of the altar or of the sanctuary can indeed be a place where a ritual is performed; cf. the Hittite use of ^GIŠilan- in HW 2nd ed. I:42f. This semantic assignment is in principle possible, but difficult to prove for now and, therefore, it must be considered tentative.

[D.S.]

The word ilẽne might reflect a neuter n-stem ilẽ(n)-, as these are a productive class in Lycian. A formation in -ẽne/i- is also possible (cf. Lyc B zrẽtẽne/i-).

[D.S.]

1. ilẽnedi(je)-

For a possible Hittite cognate, see under Meaning. However, the meaning is far from assured contextually and, consequently, no reconstruction is given here.

[D.S.]