Lycian Wexssere, Waxssepddimi and related forms

Abstract

In this paper, I address the problem of the Lycian coin legends attributed to two dynasts of the same name – Wexssere I and Wexssere II – on the basis of some very recent re-readings and novelties published by Koray Konuk. Now we actually have different forms (wexssere, waxssebllimi, waxssepddimi, uxssepddimi), that seem to be chaotically distributed. The present paper proposes to consider Waxssebllimi to be older than Waxssepddimi and Uxssepddimi, and to analyze it as a foreign name, possibly Carian, later adapted to Lycian as WaxssepddimiUxssepddimi; thus, contra Konuk, I suggest that these names may refer to the same person. As for the relationship of waxssebllimi-waxssepddimi-uxssepddimi with wexssere, the existence of an apparent interchangeability between the two can be attributed either to a double denomination practice or to the fact that wexssere was a place name, not a personal name. By accepting either hypothesis, the alleged chaotic distribution disappears and much simpler models of dynastic sequence can be envisaged. Although the interpretation of wexssere as a place name seems much more attractive, it cannot be accepted definitively at present due to certain numismatic objections.