1. Journal of Ancient History 1 (292)
  2. A New Lydian Inscription from Kelainai and the Problem of Lydian Presence in Phrygia in the Achaemenid Period

A New Lydian Inscription from Kelainai and the Problem of Lydian Presence in Phrygia in the Achaemenid Period

Ivantchik Askold I., Adiego Ignacio J.

The authors publish a Lydian inscription discovered in 2009 in Dinar (Afyonkarahisar Province of Turkey), ancient Kelainai. Paleographic characteristics of the inscription (some letter forms and scriptio continua) make it possible to date it to the late “archaic” or early “classical” period (late 6th – early 5th century BC). Combinatory analysis and comparison of the text with the known Lydian inscriptions allow the authors to determine three verb forms (two in the preterite and one in the present/future) and a number of other elements typical for the Lydian texts. The text may be 27 tentatively reconstructed as follows: [---]xl [dawi]cil isṭạ[minlaν qiraaλ ---] // [---]nil ak es ẽtạ[ma ---] // [--- fawcν]aśod b[uk ---] // [---]ixix[---] // [---]wxx[---], “--- erected within the family estate --- created/devoted. And these instructions --- whoever opposes them or ---”. The inscription is the second one to have been found outside Lydia or adjacent maritime Greek towns. The find confirms Herodotus’ account of rich and infl uential Lydians staying in Kelainai and possessing large estates there.

Keywords: Phrygia, Lydia, Lydian language, Lydian inscription, Kelainai (Celaenae), Herodotus.
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