On the Greek-Sidetic Epidosis I.1.4

Abstract

Since 2020, the Turkish archaeological mission of Side of Pamphylia has discovered new inscriptions in Sidetic script. These significantly expand the possibilities for the study of the alphabet and the language. The stele studied here features a fundraising decree in Greek followed by a text in Sidetic. The preserved Sidetic portion may record the names and related offerings of a five-person committee mentioned in the Greek portion. The arrangement and repetition of some letter clusters open the possibility of recognizing the interrogative-indefinite stem ti-, pointing to an outcome */kʷ/ > /t/ before front vowels already known for Lycian. The hypothesis is also offered that a possible demonstrative s₂ak- be identified, together with a third person plural verbal form (u₂pade), or, as less probable alternative, the numeral for ‘5’ (pade).