Crime and Punishment in Hittite Anatolia: A New Interpretation of the Verb Šaku(u̯a)-/Šakuu̯ai- (with an etymological contribution by Alwin Kloekhorst)

In Hittite, various verbs with a stem šaku(u̯a)-/šakuu̯ai- have been identified. These include the verb šakuu̯ai- “to see,” as well as three verbs of which the meaning is less evident: one (CHD šaku(u̯a)-/šakuu̯ai- A) referring to a type of penalty, one (CHD šaku(u̯a)-/šakuu̯ai- B) which is usually taken to mean “to moisten (?)” or “to soak(?),” and one (CHD šakuu̯ai- D) of which the meaning is unknown. In this article, it will be argued that the verbs šaku(u̯a)-/šakuu̯ai- A and B are actually one and the same verb with the meaning “to plant,” “to stab,” or “to impale.” This new interpretation not only elucidates some thus far opaque attestations of the verb šaku(u̯a)-/šakuu̯ai-, but also improves our understanding of Hittite corporal punishments.